Filenews 18 August 2023
Stability is recorded in the number of new coronavirus cases, said the Director of Medical Services of the Ministry of Health, Elizabeth Constantinou, who said that according to official data an average of about a thousand new cases are recorded per week.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, on the occasion of the new variant of the coronavirus Eris, which has already been detected in more than 50 countries, including Cyprus, Constantinou spoke of a low-risk variant, explaining that the data communicated so far by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) "do not cause particular concern".
Asked if there has been an increase in cases in recent weeks, the Director of Medical Services said that there does not appear to be an increase compared to previous weeks.
"There is a stability in the number of cases," he said, "that is, on average it is about a thousand a week."
She said that an increase had been observed in July, however, she noted that for the week of August 4 to 10, 2023 (latest data) there is a stability, with about a thousand cases on average per week.
He clarified that with the end of the pandemic, the Ministry of Health no longer conducts random random checks, however, he noted that it is monitoring some indicators and some numbers so as to know the trend.
According to Elizabeth Constantinou, the Ministry of Health is taking data from cases that will be detected after visiting hospitals or nursing homes, since in Cyprus she said the basic measures for vulnerable groups have been maintained, which are the use of masks and the negative 72-hour rapid test in hospitals, nursing homes and closed structures.
Updated data released later today
It is noted that in the afternoon today the updated data from the new sequencing of positive samples are expected to be released, concerning the week of August 11 to 17, 2023.
In relation to the four cases of the new variant of the coronavirus Eris, which have been detected in Cyprus, Ms Constantinou said that it concerns 5% of the positive cases that exist for Covid 19 in Cyprus.
Asked if there are reasons for concern about the autumn, in view of the return of students to schools, Constantinou said that what has been seen in other countries is the rapid transmission of this strain, noting that this is expected to follow in Cyprus.
He explained that the ECDC "does not seem to be particularly concerned about this variant of Covid", adding that "so far the data show that although it will prevail, that is, it will be the strain that we will find most often among positive cases, but it does not seem to change the clinical picture or have a particular burden on clinical symptoms".
Meeting for decisions in view of autumn
Asked if the Ministry of Health has a plan to manage a possible outbreak next autumn, the Director of Medical Services said that with the return of all competent authorities from the summer holidays, a meeting will be held and they will decide.
"We have to take into account and take into account all the facts before us. Of course, as soon as they return from vacation all those responsible will deliberate and decide. At the moment there is no cause for concern," he said.
In addition, he said that the Ministry of Health will evaluate all the data before it, however, he added "the situation does not seem to cause any particular concern".
In relation to other viral infections, such as influenza, influenza and RSV, Constantinou said their activity is considered low according to official data.
Reduced number of new hospital admissions
Replying to another question, he said that the number of new hospital admissions was quite reduced compared to the previous week.
According to official data, in the week of August 4 to 10, 2023, there were 28 new imports, while a week earlier 49 new imports had been recorded.
Besides, admissions to Intensive Care Units in the week of August 4 to 10, 2023 were zero.
