COVID-19 Cases Skyrocket to 907, Four Pensioners Die - Health Ministry
December 29, 2020
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases skyrocketed to 907 and four pensioners passed away, said the Health Ministry.
Yesterday there were 751 new cases, a considerable rise from the 456 cases announced on December 29, said the health ministry. The official numbers now include rapid tests from towns around the island.
Visits to homes are banned until January 10 except for New Year’s Eve when up to 10 people can gather and there’s a curfew of 1am.
The vaccination programme was rolled out at hospitals and retirement homes on Sunday.
Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou appealed to the public to take the free rapid COVID-19 tests because the public health system hit the red line on hospital admissions this week. In the latest developments, 157 people were hospitalised for COVID-19 and 50 of them are in serious condition.
Hospitals set up extra beds to take in more patients and private doctors pitched in to help but the situation is critical, says the minister.
The authorities tried to avoid overwhelming the public health facilities by introducing punitive measures but the nightmare is coming true.
No complacency over vaccinations
Vaccinations will take many months and immunity in the population is far in the future, said the minister. He urged everyone to maintain hygienic measures, to wash hands frequently, maintain distance from other people and wear masks outdoors and indoors where there are more than two people present.
Vaccinations start
President Nicos Anastasiades was vaccinated against the contagious and potentially deadly disease, saying that the vaccine is the gift of life.
Doubts remain that people who suffer from allergies and asthma can be vaccinated safely after Pfizer/BioNTech reported serious adverse reactions from people in this group.
The vaccination programme raises hopes that the authorities have a real weapon against the virus after nine months of punishing measures failed to prevent a serious resurgence of new cases and deaths.
The pandemic has devastated the global and local economies and triggered widespread mental health illnesses, according to experts.
Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.
The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol based rub frequently and not touching your face.
The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow).
