Three new confirmed coronavirus cases announced on Monday

Cypriot authorities announced on Monday three new confirmed coronavirus cases out of 1046 laboratory tests. The total number of confirmed cases is now 901, including ten at the British Bases.

From a total of 92 tests undertaken in the framework of the process of tracing the contacts of already confirmed cases one positive case was diagnosed. From a total of 198 tests held at the microbiological labs of the General Hospitals, no one was tested positive. From a total of 345 lab tests to persons who returned from abroad one case was tested positive.

Furthermore, from a total of 219 lab tests conducted at private initiative one positive case was confirmed. Out of 20 tests held in the framework of the programme of checking special groups through the outpatient public health care services no positive case was diagnosed as well as from 181 lab tests for employees at the retail trade and at construction sites.

Scientific Director at the Nicosia Directorate of the Cyprus State Health Services Organisation, Dr Marios Loizou,  said that the pandemic is backtracking.

Speaking at the press conference held at the Health Ministry, member of the Scientific Committee on the pandemic, Leontios Kostrikis, said that they are particularly worried by the fact that positive cases are traced from the programme for checking special groups.

He noted that the aim of the programme is to prevent the spread of COVID-19, particularly among the vulnerable groups of the population as cancer patients.

Referring to the graduate lyceum students who returned to their schools on Monday, Kostrikis asked them to be careful, follow the instructions of their teachers and take hygiene measures.

On his part Loizou said that a total of 12 persons were treated at Famagusta General Hospital, which is the COVID-19 Reference Hospital, until 1500 today. Their situation is good. Four patients are on respiratory machines. Their situation is critical but stable.

Loizou said that developments during the last days show that the pandemic is backtracking however we must not make the mistake to believe that it is over. We don’t want in any case to make steps backwards, he added.

Responding to a question, Kostrikis said that it will be clear by the end of this week how things are evolving after the first relaxation of the restrictive measures.

Asked what will happen if a student or teacher is tested positive after their return to schools, Kostrikis said that they will follow the exact same process as in the other cases, and trace the contacts of the patient.