Cyprus reports 228 new coronavirus cases

Cyprus authorities announced that 228 new coronavirus cases were detected on Tuesday, when a whopping 8,887 tests were conducted, raising total cases detected so far to 7,513.

According to the health ministry, the majority, 127, of Tuesday’s cases involved people who took the initiative to get tested, 40 were contacts of other known cases, 29 were tested at general hospitals, while eight were detected after getting tested either as part of special health groups or after the referral of their GP. An additional two cases involved arrivals at Cyprus airports.

The program testing employees who fall under categories that are exempt from the Limassol and Paphos travel bans detected three positive cases in Limassol while three more were detected in Nicosia.

16 more positive cases were detected through the program testing residents of migrant camps.

The Famagusta general hospital is currently treating 54 coronavirus cases, of which six are in the ICU. Ten more coronavirus patients are receiving treatment in the Nicosia general hospital ICU, of which seven are intubated. An additional ten are in the hospital’s coronavirus ward.

Call for volunteers for Cyprus coronavirus study

Scientists from three universities in Cyprus are joining forces for a new research study, which will test the presence of coronavirus antibodies in three population groups and shed light on a number of unanswered questions about Covid-19. 

The scientists on Tuesday issued a call for volunteers who have been previously diagnosed with coronavirus, as well as for health professionals from the Nicosia general hospital, the Makareio hospital and the Paphos general hospital. The scientists also pleaded for research funding from donors and the general public.

The research study will be conducted by the Center of Excellence in Biobanking and Biomedical Research at University of Cyprus, the Medical Schools of the University of Cyprus and the University of Nicosia, and the Department of  Health Sciences of the European University Cyprus.

Director of the CY-Biobank Center of Excellence in Biobanking and Biomedical Research at University of Cyprus, Dr Constantinos Deltas said in a press conference that the research aims to test the presence of antibodies, in three population groups in Cyprus, against the coronavirus SARS-CoV- 2. The antibodies test will be free of charge.

Professor Deltas said that the research also aims to archive DNA data and genetic material that will be used for genetic studies, in order to identify factors that may increase the risk of serious symptoms or protect the individual from developing a serious clinical picture.

"Our team believes that the pandemic is still unpredictable as to how long it will last and how many lives it will threaten around the world, but as scientists we must do what we can with the tools at our disposal to better prepare the health system and the population in Cyprus to manage it," he said.

Those who wish to participate in the research should call the CY-Biobank Center of Excellence in Biobanking and Biomedical Research at University of Cyprus at 22892815 or contact it through https://biobank.cy/