Only one confirmed COVID-19 case announced by Cypriot authorities

The Cypriot health authorities announced one confirmed case of COVID-19, continuing the current trend οf daily infections limited to single digits.

The new case, diagnosed from a total of 583 tests carried out in retail trade and constructions, brings the total tally of confirmed cases to 917. The authorities carried out a total of 1,287 tests.

Furthermore, the authorities carried out 88 tests as part of the tracing of contacts with previous confirmed cases, 199 tests held in the labs of General Hospitals, 86 tests among vulnerable groups, 129 tests among repatriated persons and 61 as part of testing of students and school staff.

“We are particularly pleased with today’s results,” Dr. Leontios Kostrikis, member of the Scientific Committee on the pandemic, told a press conference.

He assured that the epidemiological committee is monitoring closely the situation concerning the four confirmed cases diagnosed in schools, noting that diagnostic tests are underway “and that soon we will have the initial data that will assist us to shape a credible image.”

The four cases elevated concerns as schools will reopen on May 21, while senior high school students returned to their classrooms last week.

On his part, Dr Marios Loizou scientific Director at the Nicosia Directorate of the Cyprus State Health Services Organisation said that four patients are treated in the Famagusta Hospital, which operates as the reference hospital for COVID-19, of which one in the Increased Care Unit.

Three persons, all in the Nicosia General Hospital Intensive Care Unit, continue to be connected to a ventilator, while one person is treated in hospitals other than the reference hospital.

“As we prepare from the next phase of relaxation in restrictive measures, the course of the diseases continues smoothly, our stance and behaviour will determine the results of this course,” he said.

Furthermore, with regard to the Kawasaki syndrome which strikes babies in teenagers, Loizou said that one case was diagnosed in Cyprus which has been treated and exited from the Makarion Hospital.

He said that according to WHO guidelines this syndrome may be associated with COVID-19.