The Council of Ministers will meet later on Thursday morning to face difficult decisions over the next steps regarding Covid measures over the Easter period following an increase in cases and larger numbers in hospital.

The meeting chaired by President Nicos Anastasiades will begin at 11am and ministers are expected to be briefed with the latest data on the country’s epidemiological picture, the situation in the hospitals and estimates about the ICUs.

All possible scenarios are still on the table, even that of a new lockdown.

In statements to CNA, on Wednesday, Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou said that the “lockdown is a scenario which continues to be on the table,” urging everyone to be vaccinated as soon as possible in order to protect their health.

Authorities reported on Wednesday 843 new coronavirus cases (positivity rate 1.59 per cent) bringing the total number of cases since the outbreak of the pandemic in Cyprus to 58,865. On Tuesday cases hit a record high since the start of the pandemic of 941.

Meanwhile, 291 people are being treated in state hospitals, 71 of whom are in a serious condition.