Coronavirus: 332 new cases recorded on Tuesday (updated)

The health ministry announced 332 new coronavirus infections on Tuesday after 49,741 tests, a positivity rate of 0.67 per cent.

At the same time, 59 people were being treated in hospital, 20 in serious or critical condition.

The number of recorded cases since March 2020 has reached 75,431 while the virus has claimed the lives of 378 people.

Of the 20 people in serious or critical condition, six were intubated, three were being treated in an ICU without intubation, and 11 were in a high dependency unit.

The ministry said 13 of the new infections were detected among 245 samples collected from the close contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Most of the cases – 249 — were detected through 44,318 rapid antigen tests conducted as part of the state’s mass screening programme.

Fifty-six cases were detected in 2,382 samples tested privately while four cases were among 1,685 passengers tested at the Republic’s two airports.

Two cases were reported by state hospital labs after 273 tests, and one was among 333 samples collected from people referred by GPs.

Seven others were detected by tests to 505 samples done by private labs and pharmacies.

The highest positivity rate, 1.19 per cent, was reported in Famagusta – 33 cases in 2,777 tests, followed by Larnaca with 1.04 per cent after 36 infections were detected among 3,462 tests.

Nicosia had 97 cases after 10,991 tests, 0.88 per cent, Limassol 60 in 6,995, a positivity rate of 0.86 per cent and Paphos nine cases in 3,218 tests, a rate of 0.28 per cent.