Covid guidelines for autumn in the works

The possible arrival of Centaurus, a new Covid subvariant which is more contagious but not more severe, in tandem with the downward trend in infections with the BA.5 subvariant in the last seven days in Cyprus, is not alarming, the Minister of Health, Michalis Hadjipantela said on Thursday.

After meeting with the Scientific Advisory Committee, Hadjipantela stated that they will be preparing a roadmap for the autumn season, which will include another type of diagnostic test that will not only detect the coronavirus but other viruses as well.  This will allow the medical community to target specific viruses directly and more efficiently.

The roadmap will also provide guidelines on measures concerning the opening of schools based on the data available at the time, and how to proceed if any new mutations are detected.

The Centaurus subvariant is a new subvariant from India which is more contagious but not more severe. Officials at the Ministry of Health are anticipating its arrival, however, they are not concerned about its spread since there has been a recent downward trend in positive coronavirus cases.

Officials are continuously urging the public to get vaccinated to protect themselves from the coronavirus, especially those over 60 and the more vulnerable in the community.