COVID19: Cyprus coronavirus cases squeeze past 900

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Three new COVID-19 cases were recorded on Monday taking the total of Cyprus cases past 900 since the outbreak began on March 9.

Daily cases have remained stable in single-digit figures for more than two weeks, with Monday’s cases dropping by half from Sunday’s six.

The three new cases were identified after some 1,046 tests were carried out, taking the confirmed total to 901(including 10 in the British Bases).

One case was identified after 92 tests were carried out on tracking and tracing contacts of known coronavirus cases.

Another case was found among 219 tests conducted through private initiatives while the other among 345 tests performed on people who have recently returned to Cyprus.

Health Ministry experts presenting Monday’s data were pleased to report the number of cases is within the expected range.

They did, however, voice concern over the relative high cases detected from tests on people who are about to be admitted to hospital.

Member of the Epidemiological Monitoring Unit, Dr Leontios Kostrikis, said the number of cases in question is alarming as they were found among members of vulnerable groups.

“These are the people we are trying to protect with our efforts,” said Kostrikis.

On Sunday, four out of six new cases reported involved a patient to be admitted to hospital for care or treatment. These cases were found from a total of 93 tests.

Kostrikis also urged final year high school students who returned to their classrooms on Monday to be particularly careful and adhere to hygiene guidelines.

Meanwhile, 12 people are inpatients at Famagusta General, which operates as the COVID-19 reference hospital. Their condition is described as stable.

Four patients are breathing with the help of a ventilator, one at Limassol General Hospital ICU and three at Nicosia General Hospital ICU.

The condition of all patients in the ICUs is described as “critical but stable.”

Globally, the number of coronavirus cases has surpassed 4 million and deaths are 285,000, while 1.5 million patients have recovered.