Filenews 26 August 2021
The case of a new lockdown is remote for the time being, the Minister of Health, Michalis Hadjipandelas, told CNA, but noted that no one can predict what will happen in the next two to three months.
The Minister of Health answers to the CNA what will happen in the event of the 5th wave of the pandemic, while noting that Cyprus has already passed the 4th wave.
Michalis Hadjipantelas expects that cases will have a downward trend in the near future, underlining that the most important thing is that there is already a decrease in hospitalizations.
In remarking that Cyprus, although it currently maintains a good epidemiological picture, nevertheless continues to record significant numbers of cases, the Minister of Health expressed the assessment that "Cyprus has passed the 4th wave", adding that "if there are further increases in the next period we will be talking about the 5th wave".
"According to the studies that exist and the discussion I have with the experts ... we have passed the 4th wave. Cases will have a downward trend, but the most important thing is that we see a decrease in hospitalizations", said Mr. Hadjipandelas.
He also noted that his Ministry is on alert twenty-four hours a day 24 hours a day, adding that it is ready to take measures where and where needed.
Asked if there is a possibility of a new general lockdown in case of a further increase in cases, in order to avoid a new surge of cases, Mr. Hadjipandelas specifically said that in order to decide on a new lockdown, all the data that will exist at that time should be studied.
"Right now," he said, "the case of a new lockdown doesn't seem on the horizon. However, no one can predict what will happen in the next two to three months."
Asked what would happen to vaccinated people in the event of a new lockdown, the Minister of Health said that "we will see everything when the time comes. For now, for next month, that's not on our horizon."
He went on to say that according to experts in Cyprus and abroad "it is very difficult" to predict in this pandemic what will happen a month later.
"And that's true globally. It is something that cannot be predicted. We see things until next month, when we can have safe predictions," he concluded.
Ready for 3rd dose
The measures do not need to be further tightened for the time being and based on the current epidemiological picture, the Minister of Health, Michalis Hadjipantelas, told the Cyprus News Agency, who expressed the readiness of his Ministry to proceed with the administration of the third dose of vaccine in case the Council of Ministers decides so at next Wednesday's meeting.
The Council of Ministers is not expected to proceed with the relaxation of the measures for protection against Covid next week, Mr. Hadjipantelas saying that it is "a little difficult to relax the measures", while rejecting the possibility of tightening them.
He expressed the assessment that the measures will remain the same, noting that at the next meeting of the Ministry, measures will be decided on the return of students to universities and possibly - if necessary - decisions will be taken for primary and secondary schools.
Asked about the administration of the third dose of vaccine and whether the Government is oriented to take a decision, before the issuance of a decision by the European Medicines Agency (EOF), the Minister of Health replied that "the European Medicines Agency will either make a decision to administer a third dose, or will not take out", adding that the Council of Ministers "will be concerned whether it will wait for a decision from the EOF or not".
Asked to comment on yesterday's statements by epidemiologists, who say that regardless of the EMA's decision, Cyprus should proceed with the third dose, Mr. Hadjipandelas said he asked epidemiologists to give their positions on the issue in writing by Friday.
Moreover, he noted that he has asked in writing for their positions in relation to the so-called "mix and match", i.e. the vaccination with a different company or technology vaccine from the original one, and about who will be given the third dose initially.
Meanwhile, he said that he has already spoken yesterday with experts from abroad and has taken views on the matter, adding that his Ministry at the same time is planned and ready in case it is decided to start the administration of the third dose of vaccine.
However, he added that this issue needs a political decision and he cannot commit their colleagues in the Cabinet to what they may want to decide. Finally, he said that he will present the data before the Cabinet, which will decide accordingly whether to wait for the EMA or not.
CNA
