Coronavirus: Minister renews call on public to get vaccinated

Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantelas on Tuesday renewed appeals to the public to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, amid a resurgence of the pandemic in many countries in Europe and an uptick in infections here.

The minister issued his written statement a day after visiting the Archangelos Michail care home in Kaimakli.

“I was very happy to hear that all the residents and staff are fully vaccinated and because of the vaccinations no serious cases leading to hospitalisation have been recorded,” he said.

And he added: “I call on all nursing staff and residents at closed facilities and care homes to follow the example of this particular care home and move ahead with vaccinations.”

Everyone should understand the benefits of vaccination aimed at improving coverage in the general population, he said.

Some 80 per cent of the adult population are fully vaccinated, though the figure for the entire population is at some 65 per cent reflecting the lower rate of vaccination among teens. Children under 12 are not eligible for the jab in Cyprus.

Authorities are currently administering booster jabs to those aged over 50 as well as to vulnerable health groups.

According to health ministry figures, a total of 3521 individuals aged 50 and over received a boosted jab on Monday and Tuesday.

On Monday, the health ministry announced 284 new Covid cases after 67,349 tests – a positivity rate of 0.42 per cent.