Number of infection chains increasing in Cyprus

10 new coronavirus cases were detected on Thursday, when 1,951 tests were conducted, raising total known cases in the Republic of Cyprus to 1,558.

Seven of Thursday’s new cases were detected through contact tracing efforts, two of which formed part of a growing cluster that now amounts to 16 cases.

Another contact formed part of another cluster that formed recently, currently involving three cases.

Another two involve contacts of the UK woman who was announced positive for the virus on September 14. One more of her contacts was announced positive on Wednesday, with the cluster currently consisting of four cases.

Another person who was detected through contact tracing is a family contact of two refugees who were announced positive for the virus on August 25.The family member got tested before terminating their quarantine period, with the test coming back positive.

Also discovered through contact tracing was a co-worker of the Ocean Basket Finikoudes employee who was announced positive for the virus on September 15.

Additionally, another of Thursday’s new cases involves a person who took the initiative to get tested, despite having no symptoms.

A resident of the Pournara refugee camp in Kokkinotrimithia also tested positive, the health ministry said. The specific case involves a Syrian man who arrived in the Republic with nine others on September 14. Another man from the group was announced positive on Wednesday.

Thursday’s final new case involved a UK national who flew into Paphos from London on Wednesday.

Currently, the Famagusta general hospital is treating six coronavirus patients, two of which are in the ICU. The Nicosia general hospital is still treating one coronavirus patient in the ICU.