COVID19: Cyprus cases remain stable as tests ramped up

Cyprus confirmed two new cases of COVID-19, after conducting 2,214 lab tests including schools, shop staff and repatriated Cypriots, health authorities announced on Tuesday.

The total number of cases in Cyprus since the beginning of the pandemic on March 9 increased to 939, including 12 in the British Bases, the number of COVID-19 deaths remains at 17.

Tuesday’s positive cases are the same as the day before.

Both new cases were detected after conducting 125 tests following referrals from GPs and the scheme for checking special groups of people at Public Health Medical Centres.

According to the Ministry of Health, nobody tested positive out of 652 tests carried out on hairdressers, barbershops, beauty parlours, tattoo studios and restaurants.

Some 390 tests on pupils and school staff were also negative as were 122 tests carried out on retail sector staff and construction sites.

Tracking and tracing people who came in contact with already confirmed cases also came up negative as did 334 tests from people repatriated to Cyprus which are regarded as a high-risk group.

Six people are inpatients at Famagusta General which operates as the reference hospital for COVID-19.

One patient is being treated in the Acute Care Unit of the hospital while three patients remain intubated in the ICU at Nicosia General Hospital.