COVID19: Cyprus tightens lid on new cases

Cyprus confirmed only one new case of coronavirus on Friday, keeping infections as close to zero as possible with more lockdown measures being eased next week.

After reaching zero cases twice within a week, Cyprus can’t maintain the streak, although the one case On Friday is less than the two COVID-19 infections the previous day.

The Health Ministry said the one new case came from 447 tests on people repatriated to Cyprus, so, in essence, it as an “imported” case.

It said all the close contacts of that person have been tracked down and protocols followed. It said the person is in isolation and will be tested again in two days time.

The case was confirmed after 2,363 tests were taken Friday taking total coronavirus cases since the outbreak to 942, including 12 in the British Bases, deaths remain at 17.

Nobody tested positive from 622 tests were carried on employees at hairdressing salons, barbershops, tattoo studios and restaurants.

Moreover, 708 samples tested negative from pupils and school staff plus 10 tests in the retail sector and construction sites.

Track and tracing, private tests and hospital labs all came up negative.

Only three patients are being treated at Famagusta General, the COVID-19 reference hospital.

One patient is in the Acute Care Unit while another was discharged from the hospital.

Three other patients are on ventilators at Nicosia General Hospital Intensive Care Unit.

On June 1, all museums, archaeological sites and ancient monuments in Cyprus which had closed to the public due to the coronavirus pandemic will reopen, as will betting shops.

Turkish Cypriot authorities have had no new COVID-19 cases since April, their total stands at 108 and four deaths.