Concern mounts as virus infiltrates Nicosia nursing home

After coronavirus cases began emerging at Limassol nursing homes, with some of the cases eventually succumbing to their infection, coronavirus now appears to have struck nursing homes in Nicosia, and particularly the Timotheio nursing home.

On Monday, seven new cases were detected at the Timotheio nursing home, bringing the total to eight to be detected there so far, all of which involve elderly residents. Additionally, Monday’s data showed that the virus is continuing to attack vulnerable groups in Limassol, as three new cases were detected among staff of the Ekali retirement home in Limassol.

This development has brought intense concern, as it could signal an exacerbating epidemiological situation in the Nicosia district, which has seen relatively low numbers during the island’s current coronavirus flare-up compared to Limassol and Paphos, that have been placed under lockdown until the end of the month.

Asked to comment on the development, epidemiologist Dr Michalis Voniatis told Kathimerini Cyprus that data concerning the past few days show that the new cases detected at the particular Nicosia nursing home do not signal an increased transmission of the virus in the capital.

Voniatis said the development mainly raises the alarm over the virus’ infiltration into vulnerable groups, brining increased numbers of deaths.

107 new coronavirus cases were detected in the Republic of Cyprus on Monday, when 3,679 tests were conducted, raising the total 7,285. So far, 39 coronavirus fatalities have been reported.