Downward trend in confirmed cases continues

Cyprus reported one more death from coronavirus on Sunday and 17 new confirmed cases, the authorities announced, stressing however that numbers are on a downward trend and urged the people to continue adhering to the strict measures which are working.

The 82-year-old woman who had serious health issues, passed away on Saturday evening at Famagusta Referral Hospital. The cause of death was COVID-19.

The total number of deaths from patients who were positive to SARS-CoV-2 is 16, 11 people died of COVID-19, seven men and four women, with a mean age of 69. The 17 new cases were detected from a total of 804 laboratory tests.

Ten persons were detected through tracing the contacts of already confirmed cases, one person from 148 lab tests of the 20 thousand professionals and six persons that authorities are investigating how they were infected.

According to today’s data, the total number of cases is 633 of which ten were detected in the British bases.

The 633 COVID-19 were detected after a total of 17,923 lab tests by the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, the Microbiological Lab at Nicosia General Hospital and private labs. From this number, 482 are from contacts which show the virus has been spread from within Cyprus. Sixty-five persons diagnosed positive and received treatment for coronavirus, have fully recovered.

Dr. Leontios Kostrikis, member of the Advisory Body on the pandemic, said the figures of the last 24 hours confirm the downward trend exhibited in the last days. This strengthens the scientific team’s optimism regarding the effectiveness of the strategy followed. He also paid tribute to the people for their contribution.

“In the near future we will have the findings of the extended sampling among the population, which will allow us to know the extent of the spread of the virus”, said Dr. Kostrikis. He hoped the image that has developed will not overturned and that “we are on the right track”.

He also said that from tomorrow, as we enter the holy week, there will be an increasing need for more movements. “We appeal to all to take self-protective measures and restrict their contacts to a limited”, he said. Dr. Kostrikis remarked there are asymptomatic carriers who spread the virus without knowing. “Don’t risk your health and don’t put in danger the health of your loved ones. Stay home”, he said.

On his part, Dr Marios Loizou, Scientific Director at the Nicosia Directorate of the Cyprus State Health Services Organisation announced the death of the 82-year-old woman who had pre-existing medical conditions.

He also said that there are 25 persons being treated at the Famagusta Referral hospital, three of which in the Special care Unit while four have been discharged. There are eight patients on ventilators, two in the Limassol ICU and six in Nicosia’s ICU. There are five more patients at the Nicosia General Hospital ICU.

The condition of all patients in the ICUs is critical but stable. Four more cases are in the island’s hospitals.

Dr. Loizou echoed Dr. Kostrikis remarks and said the positive picture of the previous days continues. He also said that luckily in Cyprus, “we have managed to protect” the elderly compared to other countries where nursing homes have been literally reaped by the coronavirus.

He said as a society, we have great respect and love for our grandparents. The same applies for our traditions and noted that as we are entering the Holy Week, leading to Easter where life prevails over death, this should be our effort as a society against the pandemic.  “For life to win over death. And so far we are doing well. Let’s continue this way” he added.