Cyprus records single new coronavirus case

The Republic of Cyprus recorded one new coronavirus case on Wednesday, involving a close family contact of another known case, with whom the new case travelled to Cyprus from Bulgaria last week.

The single new case concerns a family member of another coronavirus case that was announced by local authorities on June 24, a day after the case had arrived to the island from Bulgaria, which at the time was in Cyprus’ category A list before being bumped down.

According to the Health Ministry, Wednesday’s new case had flown to Cyprus together with the previously known case. The case announced on Wednesday had initially tested negative for the virus upon arrival, but a second test conducted some days later, as per contact tracing protocols, came back positive.

Wednesday saw a total of 1,204 samples checked for the virus, including 437 arriving passengers and repatriated persons.

The new case brought total coronavirus cases recorded in the Republic to 999.

Across the island, just one coronavirus patient was being treated at the Famagusta General Hospital, with their condition described as stable.

Cabinet orders random testing among new army recruits

The Cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal submitted by the Minister of Health Constantinos Ioannou to conduct 1,000 random coronavirus tests on recruits about to join the National Guard.

All new recruits will be entitled to participate in the testing program, priority however will be given to those who have not been tested in the framework of a Ministry of Education’s program for the testing of 20,000 pupils and school personnel.