Filenews 21 January 2021
The Positive Conclusion that there are indications of an opposition to the uncontrolled spread of the virus, which is the subject of restrictive measures, is mentioned in a written statement by the Minister of Health.
However, as he points out, "the Health System continues to be under a lot of pressure and the situation in the Intensive Care Units, although controlled, remains particularly difficult".
Read the statement of the Minister of Health:
As I have been informed by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Coronavirus, epidemiological indicators are moving away from unsafe limits, but remain high for Cyprus data. The decline in the positivity index, combined with the reduction in the cases detected, are indications of an opposition to the uncontrolled spread of the virus, which is the aim of the restrictive measures. However, the Health System is still under a lot of pressure and the situation in the Intensive Care Units, although controlled, remains particularly difficult.
If the downward trend in epidemiological indicators continues, we will be able to look forward to a gradual de-escalation of the restrictive measures, which expire on 31 January 2021. To this end, a technical committee composed of officials from the relevant Ministries of Health, Finance, Labour, Education and Trade will draw up the recommendations of the Scientific Advisory Committee on the De-escalation Strategy, so that the reactivation can be carried out in a smooth and effective manner with the least possible problems. Experts will also make suggestions for better implementation of de-escalation measures and effective monitoring of health protocols applicable in professional and other sectors.
At the same time as the restrictive measures are gradually lifted, laboratory testing of the general population continues and intensifies, with particular emphasis on carrying out increased rapid testing aimed at workers who will be re-tested at each phase of the de-escalation strategy to be decided by the Council of Ministers.
In many other countries in Europe there is a state of alert in fear of a third, perhaps even worse, wave of pandemics. Cyprus remains in the red zone but the partial improvement of the epidemiological picture reflects the effectiveness of the measures implemented at the end of December and rewards the sacrifices of each individual citizen and our society as a whole.
As always, the criterion for our decisions is to maintain the epidemiological picture at levels that do not endanger public health and do not invalidate everything we have achieved so far. This health crisis will last for an unspecified period of time and therefore, in the months that follow, until the population is vaccinated, maximum preparedness and alertness are required to avoid a setback.
Source: eyenews
