Pafos Press 8 December 2023
A small increase in cases of COVID-19 has been recorded recently in Cyprus, the Officer of the Epidemiological Surveillance and Control of Infectious Diseases Unit of the Medical Services of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Christos Charalambous, who noted that during the period from November 24 to 30, 2023, more than 990 new incidents were recorded.
Dr. Charalambous said that although the number of cases of coronavirus and viruses has started to rise, he reassures himself saying that this is to be expected, due to the winter.
At the same time, it recommends vaccination as a preventive measure against respiratory viruses SARS-CoV-2 and influenza, especially for vulnerable groups of the population.
995 new incidents
Speaking to KYPE, he said that during the period from November 24 to 30, 2023, 995 new cases of COVID-19 were specifically recorded, explaining that the weekly number of cases, the positivity rate and the daily admissions to hospitals are increased, compared to the week 17 to November 23, 2023.
As he noted in the week 17 to 23 November 2023, 705 incidents were recorded.
According to Dr. Charalambous, the cumulative incidence in the Nicosia province is very high compared to the other provinces, noting that the largest number of new cases was recorded in the Nicosia province at a rate of 58.3%.
Besides, he stated that most cases were recorded in the age groups 40-44 years (9.7%) and 55-59 years (9.4%), noting that the cumulative incidence of 7 days was per 100,000 inhabitants increased by 29.1%, compared to the week of November 17 to 23.
It also reported that by age group, the highest 7-day cumulative incidence was recorded in the 75 and over age groups.
In relation to molecular PCR and Rapid Tests, he said that in the period from November 24 to 30, a total of 25,074 laboratory tests were carried out, of which the positivity rate was 4.0%, compared to 25,253 laboratory tests and a positivity rate of 2.8 % in the week of November 17 to 23, 2023, to note that the highest percentage of positive laboratory tests was recorded in the age groups of 85 years and older (9.4%) and 0-3 years (8.1%).
Compared to last week, Dr. Charalambous reported that an increase in the positivity rate was observed in almost all age groups, with the largest increase observed in the age groups 0-3 years (+4.3%) and 80-84 years (+3.3%).
He further said that in the period of November 24 – 30 from the random population checks through the sampling points, 10,148 rapid detection tests were carried out and 114 positive cases were detected, with a positive rate of 1.12%, noting that the numbers are moving in the same context as the week 17 to 23 November with 10,584 rapid detection tests, 90 positive cases and a positivity rate of 0.85%.
Regarding admissions to hospitals and Intensive Care Units (ICUs), he said that in the period 24-30 November there were 26 new admissions to Hospitals and none to ICUs, compared to 13 new admissions to hospitals and two to ICUs the week of November 17 to 23.
Slight increase from last week in RSV
Dr. Charalambous also said that since last week there has been a slight increase in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections.
He told KYPE that in the week of November 27 to December 3, 13 cases of RSV were recorded, compared to 8 recorded from November 13 to November 16.
“A total of 21 cases of RSV, 20 are paediatric and the majority involve children under one year of age. There was also a case of a 93-year-old with comorbidities,” he said.
Compliance with basic individual prevention measures
Dr. Charalambous reminded that it is important to observe basic measures of individual prevention and control of the spread of respiratory infections, especially during the winter season when an outbreak of these infections is usually observed.
"Some preventive measures are regular and thorough hand washing, avoiding close contact, good ventilation of the premises and wearing a mask, where necessary," he said.
He also stated that "it is important that people who are sick limit themselves, if possible, or avoid their contacts with people who are at increased risk of becoming seriously ill.
He recommended vaccination as a preventive measure against respiratory viruses SARS-CoV-2 and influenza, especially for vulnerable groups of the population.
