One person has tested positive for Coronavirus after 1978 diagnostic tests the Health Ministry said on Saturday. This brings the total number to 892 (including 10 in the British Bases). Ministry of Health said that the results as the first working week of easing of measures comes to an end allow for optimism but we must remain vigilant.
According to the latest updates issued by the Ministry of Health on Saturday, as of May 7 401 people have recovered from Covid-19, a rate of 45.2% of total cases. The data also reveals that 32 people, or 3.6% of all cases, received treatment in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Paphos remains the district with the most cases (127) followed by Larnaca district (112).
The finance ministry has slashed €367 million from public expenditure as part of a revision of the 2020 state budget amid the coronavirus crisis. The government savings were passed by the Council of Ministers. Giorgos Panteli, permanent secretary of the finance ministry, told the Cyprus News Agency that the savings were found after cutting spending earmarked for trips abroad, overtime, allowances and the hosting of conferences. He added that the government has decided to freeze hiring in the public service and promotions. A freeze in hiring and promotions has been in place since 2013 when Cyprus applied for financial assistance from the EU and the IMF. Following Cyprus’ exit from the economic assistance programme, the government extended the freeze with hiring and promotions carried out only after approval from the House finance committee.
Police booked 105 people from 6pm on Friday until 6am on Saturday for violating the stay at home order, a sharp rise compared to 62 the night before. Police carried out a total of 3160 checks overnight to vehicles and pedestrians.
More than 600 complaints against fines issued by police for violations of the stay at home decree were submitted to a three-person special committee put together by the Chief of Police for this purpose, Phileleftheros reports. According to the police, 30% of complaints submitted are justified and a claim for their cancellation will be submitted by the special committee to the Attorney General. An insider told Phileleftheros that it was found that especially at the initial stages of implementation of the decrees, some police officers falsely interpreted the decree issuing fines on a large scale without a sound basis.
