Coronavirus: Infection rate in Famagusta rose to 2006 per 100,000

The cumulative diagnosis rate of Covid-19 in the Famagusta district in recent weeks has reached 2006.1 per 100,000 population, more than double the national rate, according to the government’s latest epidemiology report, released on Friday.

The report, prepared by the health ministry’s epidemiological surveillance unit, covers the period between June 25 and July 8. During this period, 7,321 cases were diagnosed.

The 31.5 per cent of cases were people between 10 and 19 years and 30.1 per cent were aged 20 to 29 years, mainly due to low vaccination coverage, the health ministry said.

“In contrast, cases among older ages with high vaccination coverage range in the single digits,” it added.

According to the report, the rate among people under 29 was very high: 2,402.5 per 100,000 among the 10 to 19 age group and 1,585.3 per 100,000 among those aged 20 to 29.

By age group, cases included 2,603 infants, children and adolescents aged 0 to 19 years, 4,410 people in the 20 to 59 group, and 306 people aged 60 years and over, while information was not available for two cases.

The median age of cases was 23, while that of hospitalised patients was 55.

The 14-day cumulative diagnosis rate, which reflects the number of active Covid-19 cases in the population, was 824.4 per 100,000 population.

By district, 2,477 cases were reported in the Nicosia district, 2,115 in Limassol, 1,048 in Larnaca, 981 in the Famagusta district, and 450 in Paphos. Another 250 were reported either in the British bases or had a residence abroad, or information was not available.

Most cases, 96.2 per cent were locally acquired, the report said.