More coronavirus cases hit Cypriot hospitals

Two more coronavirus cases have been confirmed in two state hospitals, one day after the president of the Republic of Cyprus announced curfew measures in a national address.

According to local media, a medical practitioner at Nicosia General Hospital and a patient at Larnaca General Hospital tested positive for the Covid-19 disease late Monday night.

The case in Nicosia involved a medic in the Cardiology Intensive Care Unit while the patient in Larnaca was hospitalized in the Pathology ward.

On Monday evening, 21 new cases were announced including 12 persons who were tested as a result of contact tracing of other known cases on the island. Three cases involved individuals working at the Paphos General Hospital, while six people had recently arrived on the island from abroad.

A representative from the State Health Services Organisation, Charalambos Charilaou, said the two new cases were “a huge blow to the operation of the two hospitals,” while adding they were not among the cases announced on Monday evening by the health ministry.

President Nicos Anastasiades on Monday night addressed the nation for a second time since the coronavirus pandemic broke out in Cyprus, saying unnecessary travel was to be banned starting Tuesday evening at 6pm for three weeks.

The curfew measures were a response to citizens not complying with earlier measures, while doctor and patient groups had also been lobbying for stricter measures to protect medical professionals on the front lines.

The SHSO representative said all members on staff in both affected hospitals, who came in contact with the two latest confirmed cases, will be tested.