Ministry of Health Archives - LoveCyprus | We Love Cyprus and you will Love it too.

Random COVID-19 testing of 800 people expected to start latest on Monday, Cyprus Health Minister says

LoveCyprus — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 06:57:02 +0000

Cyprus Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou said on Thursday that the collection of random samples for coronavirus testing is expected to start by Monday the latest, noting that it is early at present to speak about changes in the measures in place to combat the virus.

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades announced on Wednesday evening in a press conference that restrictive measures in place to combat the COVID-19 outbreak would be extended until the end of April and that mass random testing would take place on people working in both the public and the private sector who are most vulnerable to contract the virus.

In a message on Twitter, today, Ioannou said that “during the weekend, the latest until Monday, the random sampling of 800 people is expected to begin so that asymptomatic patients can be located.”

He added that “at present stage it is early to speak about changes in the measures.”

Source: CNA

The post Random COVID-19 testing of 800 people expected to start latest on Monday, Cyprus Health Minister says appeared first on LoveCyprus | We Love Cyprus and you will Love it too..

My responsibility and that of the government is to protect people’s health, Cyprus Minister says

LoveCyprus — Fri, 03 Apr 2020 05:52:04 +0000

Cyprus Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou said on Thursday that his responsibility and that of the government is to protect people’s health, an obligation stemming from the Constitution as well as his own consciousness, as he put it.

In a message posted on Facebook, Ioannou says that he is aware of citizens’ concerns, who are protesting about the restrictive measures and shares many of the arguments that are being raised about the problems facing public hospitals.

However, he asks citizens for their understanding, noting that the situation they are called to handle is an unprecedented one.

In this endeavour, it is impossible to avoid making mistakes, the Minister acknowledges, adding that he is ready to accept criticism. He assures, moreover, that “we are doing everything humanly possible.”

Ioannou also says that not even in his worst nightmares would he ever imagine that he would be obliged to issue decrees restricting the individual rights of fellow citizens and repeats that this is not something done by choice, but out of necessity.

I share your agony, I am also a member of this society, I have family, parents and children too, the Minister says, noting that he remains focused in the effort to address the pandemic.

Source: CNA

The post My responsibility and that of the government is to protect people’s health, Cyprus Minister says appeared first on LoveCyprus | We Love Cyprus and you will Love it too..

A Greek C-130 aircraft to carry medical supplies that China provides to Cyprus

LoveCyprus — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 08:16:12 +0000

A Greek C-130 aircraft that will be flying to China on March 29 to load medical supplies that the country is providing in order to help the fight against Covid-19 will also carry part of the aid which China gives to Cyprus, the Cyprus News Agency has learned.

According to information, these are supplies which the Health Ministry of Cyprus has requested. They will be carried to Greece and from there to Cyprus.

The Ambassador of China in Nicosia, Huang Xingyuan, said in a post on his Twitter account on Thursday that the first batch of medical supplies including 10000 FFP2 masks was dispatched from China to Cyprus.

Source: CNA

The post A Greek C-130 aircraft to carry medical supplies that China provides to Cyprus appeared first on LoveCyprus | We Love Cyprus and you will Love it too..

Cyprus records 11 confirmed Covid-19 cases on Sunday, reaching a total of 95 cases

LoveCyprus — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 06:35:54 +0000

Cyprus has recorded another 11 confirmed coronarvirus cases, reaching a total number of 95.

Another 35 confirmed cases have been recorded in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus.

The eleven new confirmed cases were announced in a Health Ministry press release, according to which two people were located through tracking down contacts of other confirmed cases, four people are connected with the Pafos General Hospital, four people had returned to Cyprus from abroad, the UK and Mexico, and presented with symptoms and got in touch with the relevant authorities and authorities are looking into the background of one more case which has tested positive.

The epidemiological monitoring unit of the Ministry of Health has already starting tracking down the contacts of all 11 confirmed cases and will proceed with taking samples for the specialised tests to be conducted, the press release adds.

It is further noted that another two possible Covid-19 cases, which tested positive in a lab test, are awaiting confirmation from the Institute of Neurology and Genetics of Cyprus.

On the basis of the data so far, the press release concludes, the number of positive cases has reached 95, including three which were located in the British Bases in Cyprus, of which 50 had been contacts.

In the meantime, media were informed by the Health Ministry that the two doctors who were due to announce the confirmed cases have been placed in isolation at their homes until their tests results are out due to “a contact of theirs who has contracted the virus.”

Source: CNA

The post Cyprus records 11 confirmed Covid-19 cases on Sunday, reaching a total of 95 cases appeared first on LoveCyprus | We Love Cyprus and you will Love it too..

Telephone your GPs and follow their instructions, Cyprus health authorities tell citizens

LoveCyprus — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 07:58:25 +0000

Cyprus Ministry of Health, the Health Insurance Organisation and the Cyprus Medical Association have urged citizens to telephone their General Practitioners (GPs) if they present suspicious symptoms and follow their instructions. At the same time, in a mass SMS sent out on Thursday the Interior Ministry and the Press and Information Office have called on people to make only necessary trips outside.

In a joint press release they stress that citizens who present suspicious symptoms, should get in touch with their GP, who will initially give them directions as to how to proceed.

The GP will then decide whether it is necessary to get in touch with the Unit of Epidemiology and Control of Infectious Diseases, will jointly decide how to deal with each case and will inform the affected citizen.

If a citizen has tested positive for the coronavirus, he or she should self-isolate, be in touch with their GP and follow his instructions.

Citizens are called on “to cooperate fully and to contribute in the effort for health professionals to be able to remain active and offer their services during this period,” the press release says.

In order for this to be possible, citizens are urged to be treated by their GPs or specialist doctors via telephone if their health complaint is not urgent and does not have to do with coronavirus symptoms

Doctors will see patients in their practices only in case of emergency and serious incidents, the press release stresses.

In a mass SMS sent out today the Interior Ministry and the Press and Information Office say that “times are crucial.”

Isolation, the SMS reads, “delays the spread of the virus.”

“Only absolutely necessary movements. Protect vulnerable groups,” the SMS concludes.

Source: CNA

The post Telephone your GPs and follow their instructions, Cyprus health authorities tell citizens appeared first on LoveCyprus | We Love Cyprus and you will Love it too..

Cyprus authorities announce nine COVID19 cases Thursday, bringing total in Republic to 67

LoveCyprus — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 07:07:04 +0000

The Cyprus authorities on Thursday announced nine new COVID19 cases on the island, bringing the total to 67 in the Republic.

20 cases were so far confirmed in the occupied areas.

A Ministry of Health announcement says that six cases out of nine are people who came in close contact with a COVID19 case the previous days.

Three people are travelers who came to Cyprus from Bulgaria, Italy and the UK and they were in self isolation. They contacted the authorities when symptoms appeared.

The contacts of these cases are being traced and the protocol will be implemented so that these contacts are tested.
From the 67 cases so far, 37 were contacts.

Source:CNA

The post Cyprus authorities announce nine COVID19 cases Thursday, bringing total in Republic to 67 appeared first on LoveCyprus | We Love Cyprus and you will Love it too..

Health Ministry issues updated travel advice regarding the Coronavirus in force on 14 March 2020 onward

LoveCyprus — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 07:56:08 +0000

The Ministry of Health has announced a revised travel advice to travellers concerning the new coronavirus, with effect as of Saturday, 14 March.

The statement said that the Ministry of Health is revising the travel guidelines regarding persons having travelled within the past 14 days, based on the categorized countries of origin as follows:

Category I: Compulsory isolation under medical supervision (quarantine) at home, if possible, or at premises managed by the Ministry of Health for 14 days since their departure from: Hubei province, China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea.

Category II: Self-isolation, under telephone supervision, at home, or at premises managed by the Ministry of Health (avoidance of close contact and travel, adherence to basic hygiene rules, monitoring and reporting of symptoms by contacting the Coronavirus call centre at 1420) for 14 days since their departure from China (excluding Hubei province), Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, France, Spain, Greece (Prefectures of Achaia, Ilia and Zakynthos), United Kingdom and Switzerland.

Category III: Self-monitoring (adherence to basic hygiene rules and restriction of traveling unless absolutely necessary) and if symptoms occur, contacting the Coronavirus call centre at 1420, for 14 days since their departure from:-Greece (excluding Prefectures of Achaia, Ilia and Zakynthos), Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium and Singapore.

Detailed instructions for people who are in self-isolation or in quarantine can be found here: https://www.pio.gov.cy/coronavirus/.
All passengers in categories I and II will be directed to the airport medical centre, while passengers in ports will be confined to their cabins. The guidelines do not apply to travelers carrying out transit flights unless they have resided at the transit stop.

Source: CNA

The post Health Ministry issues updated travel advice regarding the Coronavirus in force on 14 March 2020 onward appeared first on LoveCyprus | We Love Cyprus and you will Love it too..

Cabinet decides to suspend classes in Nicosia, cancel public events as a precaution against COVID-19

LoveCyprus — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 07:07:18 +0000

The Cabinet announced on Tuesday a series of measures to contain the spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) in Cyprus, introducing, among others, a temporary shutdown of schools in Nicosia, while prohibiting indoor mass gatherings until March 31 and canceling public events, concerts and parades. The Cabinet meeting, under the President of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, met for more than 4 hours at the Presidential Palace, and also decided to extend the suspension of the operation of four crossing points until March 18.

Speaking after the Cabinet meeting, Minister of Health, Constantinos Ioannou, said that the crossings at Ledra Street, Astromeritis, Lefka and Dherynia will remain closed until the next Cabinet session, on March 18.

He also said that indoor events and other mass gathering with over 75 people attending are prohibited until March 31. Replying to a question, the Minister said that the same applies for churchgoers, if there are more than 75 people, and noted that the Archbishop of Cyprus was informed about this by the President of Cyprus on Tuesday morning.

“All mass events, gatherings, concerts, parades in public areas are cancelled, including football matches and other games” Ioannou went on. He clarified that games may take place without spectators.

The Minister of Health also said that the Cabinet authorized him to issue decrees on the basis of quarantine Law, depending on developments.

He said, moreover, that the Cabinet authorized the Minister of Finance to issue a circular in relation to trips abroad and sessions attended by members of the public administration.

On his part, Minister of Education, Prodromos Prodromou, said that it was deemed necessary to suspend the operation of schools in the Nicosia area for three days, excluding schools which lie in remote areas.

“The measure aims to conclude checks that are being conducted in relation to a specific case, and it was deemed preferable to suspend the operation of schools of all grades, both public and private, for three days, purely as a precaution” the Minister of Education said.

The measure will be in force until the end of the week and will be reviewed, depending on developments, Prodromou said.

He also noted that instructions were given to teachers to report to the Ministry any incident that comes to their attention and urged everyone to remain calm.

Replying to a question, Health Minister, Constantinos Ioannou, said that people who might have been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case, a 64-year-old doctor, are hundreds and checking their samples might take a few days. The measure to close down schools in Nicosia was taken in order to contain the possible spread of the virus, the Minister added. He also said that there are no thoughts at the moment to suspend classes in schools in other Districts. No measures have been taken in relation to military camps either, Ioannou added.

Referring to the second confirmed case, a 25-year-old man who traveled to Italy, the Minister said that he has restricted himself at home and came in contact with a limited number of people, around 2 or 3.

Referring to a 48-hour prohibition imposed on visitors at Nicosia General Hospital, and the cancelation of scheduled appointments and surgeries, Ioannou said that they will review the situation by the end of the deadline.

“There is no need for panic, we need to stay alert and everybody must pay attention” the Minister said and called on people to apply self-protection measures. He also said that anyone who came in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case should call the hotline 1420 immediately.

The measures announced on Tuesday are taken as a precaution and there is no need to cause unnecessary panic among the public, the Minister concluded.

Source: CNA

The post Cabinet decides to suspend classes in Nicosia, cancel public events as a precaution against COVID-19 appeared first on LoveCyprus | We Love Cyprus and you will Love it too..

Limassol General Hospital, second hospital in Cyprus to enter 48-hour lockdown

LoveCyprus — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 06:54:20 +0000

Limassol General Hospital is the second state hospital on the island to announce a 48-hour closure following three suspected cases of Coronavirus under investigation.

The hospital is abiding by the procedures followed by the Nicosia General hospital which went on a lockdown Tuesday morning after one of its doctors’ was tested positive for Coronavirus.

The decision was taken at a meeting this afternoon and will go into effect from Wednesday, said State Health Services Organisation (OKYPY) executive director for Limassol and Paphos Christos Nicolaou.

All scheduled appointments, admissions and surgeries will be cancelled for the next 48 hours. Visiting hours will be strictly adhered for all patients from 1300-1400 and 1700-1900, and only when there is absolute need. Only one visitor per patient will be allowed.

The Emergency Room is open only for emergencies and if persons have visited the affected areas in the last 14 days and have symptoms, are advised not to visit the ER but remain home and contact 1420 for instructions. Only those who have come into contact with a confirmed case should contact 1420 and remain in self isolation.

Nicolaou said that one of the suspected cases had come into contact with the doctor who tested positive for coronavirus while the other two are expected to be discharged.

Source: CNA

The post Limassol General Hospital, second hospital in Cyprus to enter 48-hour lockdown appeared first on LoveCyprus | We Love Cyprus and you will Love it too..

Cyprus Health Ministry updates Covid19 advice for travellers

LoveCyprus — Tue, 10 Mar 2020 06:52:34 +0000

Cyprus Health Ministry on Monday updated the Covid19 advice for travellers. Cyprus announced its first two cases today, a 25 year old man and a 64 year old man who is an employee at a public hospital in Nicosia.

The travel advice is for people who travelled the last 14 days and show symptoms.

Category 1:
Hubei district China
North Italy
Iran
South Korea
All passengers residing in the above countries or having travelled there, need to be put under medical supervision.

Category 2:

China – all other districts other than Hubei
Central and South Italy
Japan
Hong Kong
Germany
France
Spain
Greece ( Achaia, Elia , Zakynthos districts)

All passengers residing in the above countries or having travelled there, must be put in self isolation for 14 days to avoid close contacts and transports, to take health protection measures and be vigilant on any symptoms.

Category 3:

Switzerland
UK
Netherlands
Sweden
Belgium
Singapore
Greece (all other districts except Achaia, Elia and Zakynthos)

All passengers residing in the above countries or having travelled there need to self monitor and when they show symptoms to immediately contact the health authorities at 1420.

The authorities point out that all passengers who travel to the above countries in the 3 categories, are directed to the nurse’s office at the airports.
The Ministry calls on everyone to follow the directions given and be extra vigilant in case they have any symptoms.

More info at www.pio.gov.cy/coronavirus

Source: CNA

The post Cyprus Health Ministry updates Covid19 advice for travellers appeared first on LoveCyprus | We Love Cyprus and you will Love it too..