Coronavirus: 70 per cent of fortnight’s cases in Limassol

Limassol accounted for 70 per cent of the country’s total coronavirus cases detected in the last 14 days, the health ministry said on Friday.

According to the epidemiological unit’s biweekly report for the period February 10-23, Cyprus positivity rate remained relatively low, at approximately 0.2 per cent, apart from Limassol with 0.5 per cent.

“The situation in the community is generally good, with the exception of Limassol district,” the report said.

Limassol traced 1,045 out of the total 1,498 Covid-19 cases identified nationwide in the last two weeks.

Nicosia saw 282 coronavirus cases, Larnaca 98, Paphos 33, and Famagusta 18, while another 22 were reported either in the British bases or had a residence abroad. The median age was 37 years.

Cyprus’ cumulative diagnosis rate remained stable at 164.7/100,000, from 164.3/100,000 last week. The safety limit set by ECDC is 150/100,000.

While all districts remain lower than 100/100,000, Limassol is at 420.9 / 100,000 from 390.7/ 100,000 in the previous report.

Nicosia is at 81.4 / 100,000, Larnaca 65.8 / 100,000, Famagusta: 36.8/ 100,000 and Paphos at 34.6 / 100,000.

The negative picture in Limassol is also reflected in hospital admissions, the ministry added, but not yet in the mortality rate.

“Limassol is the main source of hospital admissions in recent days,” the report said.

As of February 24, 86 patients were treated for coronavirus at the hospital, with the majority, 66.3 per cent or 57 patients came from Limassol. The median age of patients was 66 years old, while 58 cases still hospitalised have comorbidities.

Nineteen people were in the ICU, including 14 with pre-existing health conditions.

Meanwhile, 92.3 per cent of those who tested positive for coronavirus have since recovered. This figure does not include the 231 deaths attributable to coronavirus.