Coronavirus: Only 14 patients now at Famagusta general

The number of patients at Famagusta’s referral hospital for Covid-19 has fallen to 14 or 18.6 per cent of total capacity, the facility’s scientific director Amalia Hadjiyianni told the Cyprus News Agency on Tuesday, adding that their average age has also dropped to 59 years.

“A total of 14 patients with coronavirus are currently hospitalised at the facility, of which one is in the high dependency unit as he needs closer monitoring.

“The youngest person at the hospital is 33 years old and the oldest is 79 years old,” Hadjiyianni said.

She then said that on Monday, two new patients with Covid-19 were admitted, while other four people who tested negative were discharged.

A total of 53 people are also quarantined at the Eden rehabilitation centre in Tersefanou at the moment.

“Out of the 14 patients with coronavirus, only one was vaccinated, but was not given the necessary time to gain full immunity before becoming ill. His health condition, however, is good,” Hadjiyianni said.

The hospital’s scientific director also said that Cyprus’ encouraging epidemiological picture stems from vaccinations and from strict adherence to measures from the public. During the height of the pandemic, the hospital had been filled to its 75-strong capacity.

Regarding the expansion of the Famagusta hospital, she said that works are progressing on both the second and third floors of the infirmary, with the first phase of the project scheduled to be completed by June 8.

“By the end of the month, two new wards, which will have a combined capacity of 56 beds, will be ready to be used for the needs of our patients.

“With the operation of the new wards, we will be offering new and better services to residents of the Famagusta district.

“Additional specialties will include ophthalmology, urology and dermatology, for which we have the staff, but not yet the infrastructures,” Hadjiyianni said.

The third floor of the hospital will remain an independent ward for Covid-19 patients, with its own lift and a separate entrance to protect other patients, staff members and visitors from getting infected.