“The greatest worry people working in ICUs have is not to transfer the virus to their loved ones,” head nurse at the Nicosia General Hospital Costas Koulas tells CNA, adding that “many of them have children, people in their families belonging to vulnerable groups of people, elderly.”

“Their fear is for their families not to fall ill,” he notes.

“It is a heartbreaking situation because one hears from the various media, particularly from abroad, that so many young people are dying because this virus does not discriminate, the staff are afraid that they may contract the virus and possibly infect others,” he says.

However, he stressed, “there is good will among them to play their part in treating these patients, despite the fear they feel.”

Koulas also says that during these crucial times the necessary staff are working double shifts in order for the job to be done. “Working a double shift is a phenomenon happening often. People are tired, working hours are exhausting,” he notes, congratulating the staff and in particular nursing staff for their professionalism during this period and sending he message that the management will stand by them until the crisis is over.

Many health professionals are living in hotels, away from their homes for weeks now, he says, adding that the fact that the number of people contracting the virus is beginning to drop, fills them with joy and optimism.

Replying to a question about the situation in ICUs he says that right now the situation is better and the number of cases has recorded a drop, in particular suspicious cases.

He urged people to continue listening to the advice of experts and to abide by measures so that the crisis, which is causing suffering around the world, can be overcome as soon as possible.

Dr Marios Loizou, the Scientific Director at the Nicosia Directorate of the Cyprus State Health Services Organisation, told CNA that “we can be optimistic,” adding however that “we must not forget even for a moment that the danger is still there.”

“Until an effective vaccine and treatment are found we need to religiously follow the measures we have followed until not,” he stressed.

Asked about the readiness of ICUs in case of a second wave after the summer, Loizou said that “right now ICUs are in a much better state than when the pandemic started,” adding however that “there is still a problem.”

ICUs need to be staffed both with medical, nursing and other staff, he noted, adding that efforts and procedures are ongoing and that the staff is being trained.

In an extreme scenario, where all available ICU beds have to be used as was the case in many countries abroad, “things will not be so pleasant.”

He also said however that every day we have to prepare more means that at least in theory we will be more ready to respond to an extreme scenario.

Loizou also said that the goal is once all units for COVID-19 operate there will be about 120 beds available exclusively for COVID-19 patients.

Source: CNA

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Michael had been replying to questions on a report by daily “Phileleftheros” that people have been arriving in Cyprus by private aircraft in recent days.

“What I can tell you is that all the people who came by private aircraft were on board special flights for the transport of patients who had undergone surgery or other patients from hospitals abroad,” he said.

He added that only one person, arriving by private jet, had applied to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Health submitted all documents and following that the Transport Ministry was notified and granted permission for the aircraft to land, adding that the person was then transported to quarantine.

Asked whether that person had been confined in a quarantine place designated by the state, he said that was the case.

Replying to a question as to whether there are any more requests by private aircraft to land to Cyprus, Michael said that “we have no other request until this moment.”

He further clarified that prior to submitting a request to the Ministry of Transport to allow a flight to land in Cyprus, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Health must give their approval following the submission of the necessary documentation.

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Fear that even a simple phone-call will be harmful has excluded patients from their former social life.

In statements to CNA, three health professionals who have contracted the coronavirus speak out about their individual experiences and about how they have been treated by their social circle.  

“What are dealing with from the people around us is fear,”  says a health professional who fell sick at the hospital where she works.

“I suddenly feel that apart from the disease I have to deal with, that I am not the same person I once was. Others see me differently. They are suspicious. They are even frightened to call me and ask if I am OK, as if they will catch the virus over the telephone,” she says.

Our friends and acquaintances are no longer in our lives. They think that they will be contaminated by a simple telephone conversation, she continues.

She adds that their families is what they have left.

“In general, people show an inexplicable meanness with their stance,” she notes, adding that “I cannot understand how they think.”

The health professional also expresses her concern about what will happen after this is all over. “I wonder if they will treat us the same when this is all over,” she says.

Another health professional recalls that “the only telephone calls I received were to be asked whether the last time I came in touch with them I wore a mask and when that was, as they were also afraid that they had been contaminated.”

“I cannot understand people’s way of thinking. It is as if we wanted to contract the coronavirus,” she says, adding that “it found us in our work place.”

She assures that “from the moment we were identified as carriers of the virus, we took the rights precautions, we stayed at home and we are in contact with our personal doctor. We thought about protecting others before protecting ourselves.”

However, she continues, “how people behave is another matter. They point their fingers at us as though we have committed a crime. We stand accused.”

Nevertheless, there are also cases where social solidarity is shown towards patients with coronavirus.

A nurse who fell ill after a confirmed COVID-19 case at Limassol General Hospital, says that her acquaintances and friends are calling all the time to find out how is his state of health.

“In general, I have felt much love from the people around me. Everyone is calling me to find out how my state of health is,” he notes, thanking everyone.

“They are encouraging me in this difficult time I am going through,” he adds.

“We also have our family who stands by me. It takes one phone call and they bring whatever we need and they are there to support us in this difficult phase we are going through,” he notes.

Source: CNA

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