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Cyprus among first countries in the EU in COVID-19 population testing

05/02/2021 14:34

Cyprus ranks in high places among EU members states in population testing for COVID-19. Since the pandemic broke more than 1.5 mln tests have been carried out in Cyprus.

A press release by the Health Ministry says that according to the latest figures by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) Cyprus ranked in second place in COVID testing (both PCR and rapid) in 100,000 citizens. The figures correspond to the 14 days prior to 31st January 2021.

The Health Ministry points out that increased testing has been an important tool in monitoring the epidemiological situation on the island since the pandemic broke out. It underlines that increased tests take place in closed units such as care homes and migration centres and in areas where clusters were detected and led to the diagnosis of 31.379 cases, such as Pafos and Aradippou in Larnaca. According to the Ministry, since the outbreak of the pandemic Cyprus has carried out more than 1.5 mln tests.

The Ministry also says that rapid tests are carried out on all employees who return to work in the framework of the measures` relaxation, adding that employees need to take the test on a weekly basis.

It also points out that WHO and ECDC advise that tests combined with other measures in place assist in containing the spread of the disease.