The number of coronavirus cases in Cyprus rose to 616 as 21 new cases were confirmed on Saturday, with scientists being optimistic and urging the people to keep taking all measures.
The new 21 cases of Covid-10 have been diagnosed following 811 samples tested with total laboratory tests reaching 17,119, Dr. Leontios Kostrikis, member of the Advisory Body on the pandemic, told a press conference.
Ten persons were located through tracing confirmed cases, one had travelled recently and the remaining ten cases are being investigated.
The number of confirmed cases rose to 616, including the ten cases located in the British Bases.
From the total 616 cases, said Dr. Kostrikis, 463 are from contacts, which means the infections occurred in Cyprus. A total of 61 persons diagnosed have been completely cured.
Dr. Kostrikis said that today’s cases are in line with “our assessment that the path we are following is the right one, yet we haven’t reached the end”. He also said today’s new cases are in line with the downward trend of the last ten days.
He appealed to the people to continue with the same dedication adhering to the measures. “We are in a critical phase and have no room to make mistakes. It will be really a pity to destroy what we are building with so much effort”.
Our advice remains the same. Stay home and take self-protection measures, he added.
Dr Marios Loizou, Scientific Director at the Nicosia Directorate of the Cyprus State Health Services Organisation said the number of confirmed cases worldwide has exceeded 1.700,000 with 100 thousand deaths while 380 thousand people have recovered. At the moment, the US is at the epicentre of the pandemic with almost half a million cases and 18000 deaths.
In Cyprus this afternoon, 28 people are being treated at the referral hospital at Famagusta General hospital. Four are being treated at the Special Care Unit and three persons were discharged.
Eight people are on ventilator at Limassol General Hospital, two are in intensive care and six in the Nicosia General hospital ICU. An additional four patients are in Nicosia’s ICU. All cases in the ICUs are critical yet stable.
Dr. Loizou said that in Cyprus, the figures allow optimism. However, he said there is a fine line between the measures and lifting the measures. “We must not forget that as long as the virus remains incurable, our main duty is to protect the health of the people and maintain the health system”.
Although there is a positive picture, said Dr. Loizou, we must not become complacent. The positive numbers indicate that the measures need to be continued and urged the people “to stay home and keep your distances”. He also urged people to report cases where measures are not followed. “No one has the right to play with our future. We all have a duty and role to play in ending this pandemic”, he added.
