One new COVID-19 case was confirmed on Sunday in Cyprus from a total of 1,717 tests, the authorities have announced, bringing the total total number of confirmed cases in the country to 944. The new case concerns a high school student who was tested positive from a total of 819 samples taken in the framework of the programme for testing 20,000 pupils and school employees, according to a press release issued here today by the Ministry of Health. At the same time, the following lab diagnoses were carried out, without detecting any other coronavirus case:
No people tested positive out of 577 tests carried out in the framework of the programme for testing 10,000 employees at hairdressing salons, barber shops, tattoo studios and restaurants. One test was carried out in the framework of the programme for testing 20,000 employees in the retail sector and at construction sites, whereas from the samples taken from repatriates 24 tests were carried out.
54 tests were carried out in the framework of the process of tracing the contacts of already confirmed cases, while there were results for 41 samples taken from the referral program by Personal Physicians and the control of special teams through the Public Health Clinics.
An additional 177 tests were carried out by the laboratories of General Hospitals and 24 more at private initiative.
Based on the latest data at 15:00 local time three persons were treated at Famagusta General Hospital, which is the COVID-19 reference hospital, while three patients remain intubated in the Intensive Care Unit at the Nicosia General Hospital.
From a scientific perspective, the gradual opening of the checkpoints on the Green Line is a ‘very reasonable arrangement’, one of the experts advising the government on the coronavirus situation in Cyprus told CNA on Sunday. Petros Karayiannis, a member of the team of scientific advisors on Covid-19, spoke to CNA ahead of tomorrow’s teleconference of the bicommunal technical committee on health. Five members of the team of advisors will also be taking part in the telecoference. Karayianis said the aim was for scientists to exchange views on the epidemiological situation on each side of the Green Line. He expressed the hope that there will be positive and constructive climate “so that we can determine if the picture of the Turkish-held side reflects reality.” Participants cannot discuss political issues but will focus on purely scientific data, he said. The team of scientists also want to know what measures will be taken by the Turkish Cypriot side so that coronavirus is not imported from Turkey once air and sea links resume. President to discuss phase 3 with scientific advisors on Tuesday
President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci have agreed in principle to the gradual reopening of the checkpoints beginning from June 8 when crossing with be allowed at checkpoints where movement is by car for the following categories: Turkish Cypriots who work or study in areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus or who undergo treatment at the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre, the Cyprus Institute for Neurology and Genetics and public and private hospitals of the Republic. Enclaved Greek Cypriots and Maronites who live permanently in the Turkish occupied areas. Crossings will continue for humanitarian reasons, it was also agreed. The Republic of Cyprus had suspend the operation of four crossing points (Ledras Street, Astromeritis, Lefka and Dherynia) on February 28, as a precaution against Covid-19 but continued to allow crossing at another five crossing points taking all necessary precautions.
The managers of 10 businesses including restaurants, an ice cream parlour and a hair dressers salon were booked yesterday for failing to comply with rules and protocols under the quarantine decree aimed at containing the spread of coronavirus. Police said that together with other departments they had carried out 1,787 checks at various premises in all the towns during the day yesterday as well as last night to monitor compliance with the protective measures. Violations were found at 10 businesses and their managers were reported, Police said the businesses were four restaurants in Nicosia, Famagusta and Larnaca, a hair dressers salon in Larnaca, an internet cafe in Paphos and a children’s play area, a fruit shop, a bar and an ice cream parlour in Limassol. Checks will continue in the interest of public health, police added.
