70% of cases detected over past two weeks from Limassol

Almost 70% of all coronavirus cases diagnosed in the last 14 days were detected in Limassol, a new national surveillance report published by the Health Ministry on Friday showed.

The 14-day cumulative diagnosis rate was 168.7 per 100,000 population, according to which Cyprus is still above the safe limits set by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
 
Between February 10-23, a total of 1,498 cases were diagnosed in Cyprus, of which 1,045 (69.8%) were reported in the Limassol district, 282(18.8%) in Nicosia, 98 (6.5%) in Larnaca, 33 (2.2%) in Paphos, 18 (1.2%) in Famagusta, and 22 (1.5%) were reported either in the British bases or had a residence abroad, or information was not available.

The median age of cases was 37 years, while 50.7% were females and 49.3% males. By place of exposure, 1.5% were imported and 98.5% were locally-acquired.

During those two weeks, 29,166 PCR and 403,117 rapid antigen tests were performed.

By February 23, a total of 33,242 coronavirus cases have been diagnosed, of which 231 died due to COVID-19 (case fatality risk: 0.7%). The COVID-19 associated mortality is 26 per 100,000 population. Deaths involved 154 men (66.7%) and 77 (33.3%) women. The median age of all COVID-19 associated deaths was 81 years.

By district of residence, deceased cases were 78 (33.8%) from Nicosia, 69 (29.9%) from Limassol, 42 (18.2%) from Larnaca, 18 (7.8%) from Paphos, 15 (6.5%) from Famagusta and nine deaths (3.9%) occurred among cases reported either in the British bases or had a residence abroad, or information was not available.

On February 24, 86 people were still hospitalized, of an average age of 66 years. 62.8% were males and 66.3% were from Limassol district. Fifty-eight cases (68.2%) still hospitalised have comorbidities.
 
Of 19 cases in intensive care units (ICU) 14 were intubated. The median age of current ICU patients is 63 years and 16 (84.2%) are males. Fourteen (73.7%) patients currently in ICU have pre-existing conditions.
  
By February 24, among cases alive, 92.3% of COVID-19 cases have recovered/released from isolation.