Coronavirus death toll rises, 29 more test positive

A 79-year-old coronavirus patient died on Monday, raising the death toll in the Republic of Cyprus to 12, while 29 more people tested positive.

According to the Health Ministry’s expert group of epidemiologists, the 79-year-old man who succumbed to the virus on Monday suffered from underlying health conditions. So far, eight men and four women, of an average age of 69, have died of the virus.

The 29 new cases announced, which raised the total coronavirus cases in the Republic to 621, emerged after a total of 891 samples were processed in labs across the island.

With the targeted testing on public and private sector employees in full swing, 10 people from a pool of 473 samples collected were found positive for the virus on Monday.

As announced by the government last week, some 20,000 targeted tests are to be carried on staff of businesses that have not suspended operations during the coronavirus crisis, such as supermarkets, kiosks, and so on. The round of targeted testing kicked off on Saturday, with a total of 621 tests conducted so far.

The remaining 19 new cases were identified through contact tracing efforts. Among these cases is a health practitioner and a patient at the Larnaca General Hospital.

The experts expressed their sincere gratitude for the significant donations of medical equipment to medical professionals at the front lines of the coronavirus battle by businesses, institutions, organizations, but also donations of food and drink by private individuals.

“It is not so much the need for a meal or a soft drink that matters but the symbolism of this touching act, it lifts the spirits and shows to our staff that, yes, it is all worth it. The fatigue, even the risk of life itself, suddenly makes sense. It is all done for a people that appreciates these efforts,” Dr Marios Loizou said.

He added that the pandemic has reminded us of forgotten values, such as social cohesion, and solidarity.