Coronavirus: Government adviser fears a fifth wave

Saying that daily coronavirus cases on Monday might surpass 300, a health ministry advisor warned that a fifth wave may be coming to the island.

In the wake of partial lockdowns in many European countries, and implementation of stricter measures as cases increase, Cyprus is also bracing for winter and a further surge in Covid-19 infections, he said.

“There is concern for many reasons right now. Firstly, due to what is happening elsewhere and secondly due to the fact that despite the high vaccination coverage, there is a gradual increase [in daily cases] in recent days,” professor of Microbiology/Molecular Virology at the University of Nicosia Medical School Petros Karayiannis told AlphaNews.

France’s health authorities have declared the beginning of a fifth wave, while Austria introduced lockdown for the unvaccinated on Monday and the Netherlands announced a partial lockdown expected to last at least three weeks.

In Cyprus, where the majority of the population has completed their anti-coronavirus vaccination, the rollout of a booster jab started in September for the elderly and vulnerable groups and was expanded to all adults on Monday.

According to the health ministry, 80 per cent of the adult population in the government-controlled areas of the island had completed their vaccination as of November 3, while 82.3 per cent of adults received the first dose of an anti-coronavirus jab.

In addition, 42.8 per cent of those aged 16 and 17 have had a first dose as have 29 per cent of the 12-15 age group.

However, vaccinated people appear to get infected, with about 35 per cent of those treated at state hospitals for Covid being vaccinated.

“Today, we may exceed 300 [cases], of course I still hope not, but I believe it will be quite high and this must alert us so we do not let things get out of control,” Karayiannis said.

He added that there must be a careful analysis of the contact tracing team’s data to identify where these cases are originating from since there are not many tourists at the moment.

“The problem is within the community, and we have to focus on it and to carry out tests there,” he said.

Many cases are reported in people aged 30 to 40, who have low vaccination coverage according to Karayiannis.

Regarding the fifth wave, the professor expressed hope that it will not start before Christmas.

Karayiannis reiterated the need to abide by the measures and maintain the proper use of a facemask in indoor places.

The surge in daily coronavirus cases has led to increased hospitalisations.

Meanwhile, state health services Okypy were also drawing up an action plan to manage hospitalisation at state hospitals.

Apart from coronavirus hospitalisations, currently at 85, Okypy spokesman Charalambos Charilaou told the media that a large number of beds are occupied by non-Covid cases due to seasonal infections.

According to the recent national epidemiological report, there has been a 39 per cent increase in the 14-day cumulative diagnosis rate in Covid cases, with Paphos and Famagusta recording the biggest rise.