Filenews 25 November 2020 - by Marilena Panagi
Between hammer and pin lies the Government, which must decide taking into account, on the one hand, the risks demonstrated by the constant three-digit number of patients in hospitals, the almost daily announcement of deaths of patients with coronavirus, the also consistent three-digit number of cases and the spread of coronavirus throughout Cyprus, as reflected by the thousands of rapid diagnosis checks carried out on a daily basis. On the other hand, the economy of the place, in connection with the start of the festive season and the expected revitalisation of retail trade and consumption.
The scientists yesterday made their contributions to the Minister of Health, including in them the field of education, with their proposal being their only differentiation from what Konstantinos Ioannou had put up for study and evaluation last Friday, giving them instructions to record their own views. Today the President of the Republic is informed at 9 a.m., while the Government has only a few 24 hours to clear up the situation since it has already been known that any decisions will be announced on Friday.
With regard to yesterday's meeting at the Ministry of Health, as reported by the 'F', a proposal was put forward for discussion by members of the Advisory Committee which provides for the closure of the Lyceums on a Cyprus basis, earlier than usual for the Christmas holidays, while extending the duration of the holidays.
Of course, it is doubtful whether this proposal will be adopted by the Government, since the Minister of Education has already expressed the view that, in order to save time lost to the absences of pupils and teachers who are forced into quarantine, it might be more appropriate to abolish some public holidays for this year.
With regard to the other proposals, which are currently expected to be put before the PDR, the information refers to:
Extension of the measures and prohibitions in force in limassol province for a few more days, with a proposal to lift the measure of compulsory examination of citizens moving to the other provinces (it is stated that this measure was not included in the scientists' recommendations even ten days ago when the Government took the decision).
Release of Paphos from the geographical restriction, while removing the prohibitions that are now in place and integrating the province into the horizontal measures applied in the other regions of Cyprus.
Grant relaxations during the Christmas and New Year period in terms of the start time of the curfew and the number of people per assembly.
Extension of the horizontal measures until 30 December although it should be considered certain that the relevant decrees will be renewed.
It produces positive results and the region
Rapid-tests confirm dispersion in the free Famagusta region
A total of 10,959 checks were carried out yesterday. 5,424 were for molecular tests and 252 cases of coronavirus emerged, 64 of which involved people who had undergone rapid diagnostic tests in the previous days and had tested positive. A positive result from a rapid test was not verified by the molecular method and is the first incident classified as "false positive" since the start of the rapid detection screening program in Cyprus.
Following yesterday's results, the number of cases detected in the nursing home of Peristeron has reached 19 of which concern the elderly (two are in hospital) while another case has been detected at the "Apostle Paul" Foundation in Liopetri, bringing the total number to 38.
As far as rapid-tests are concerned, mobile units were stationed yesterday in small municipalities and communities in order to reflect the size of the dispersion of the coronavirus outside urban centres.
In particular, 5,535 checks were carried out and 57 positive results were obtained, most of them recorded by population in the free Famagusta region.
Detail:
In the province of Nicosia, 450 checks were carried out in the community of Kliros with 4 positive results, 460 checks in the community of Lythrodona with 4 positive results and 780 checks in Anthoupolis with 13 positive results. A total of 21 positive results.
In the limassol province, 432 checks were carried out at the town hall with 4 positive results, 253 checks in the community of Mouttayakas with 2 positive results and 245 checks in the area of Trimiklini - Saitta- Moniati with 4 positive results. A total of 10 positive results.
In the province of Larnaca, 512 checks were carried out in Aradippou with 10 positive results and in Xylotympou 381 checks with 2 positive results. A total of 12 positive results.
In Famagusta province, 450 checks were carried out in the community of Frenaros with 12 positive results.
1,568 checks were carried out in National Guard camps and two positive results were obtained from them.
It is recalled that during Monday's checks in municipalities and communities in Famagusta province there had also been an increased number of positive results.
In the region, the units will be re-located today to carry out rapid diagnostic checks which will even be parked in municipalities and communities with an even smaller population.
Two deaths and 101 patients in hospitals
Two other people lost their battle with the coronavirus yesterday, bringing the total number of deaths to 45. Both, a 75-year-old man and a 64-year-old man, have been hospitalized in recent days in the Intensive Care Unit of the Nicosia Hospital.
It is worrying that despite the two deaths recorded, unfortunately in the Intensive Care Unit the number of patients remains unchanged, since yesterday two other people had to be intubated.
A total of 101 patients with coronavirus were hospitalized until yesterday afternoon. At Famagusta Hospital, 68 patients were hospitalized (4 in the Increased Care Unit), 11 patients were hospitalized in the ICU (2 off-respirator) and 11 others in a ward and 11 in the Limassol Hospital in the ward for coronavirus patients were hospitalized.
The increased number of patients has literally alarmed the State Health Service Agency, which is already warning about the strength of public hospitals. As OKY spokesman Charalambos Charilaou said in a statement, "unfortunately we expect that in the coming days the number of patients will increase even further, as the ages of people hospitalized require a longer follow-up period before discharge".
