‘Matter of time’ before Kraken variant arrives in Cyprus

There will not be a rapid increase in the epidemic curve in Cyprus due to a possible arrival of the Kraken variant, the assistant professor of pediatrics – infectious diseases at the medical school of the University of Cyprus, Dr. Maria Koliou, told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA).

The Cypriot population already has immunity to Omicron 2 and 5 variants, which are the most prevalent in the community and are related to the new variant, she added.

Commenting on the appearance of six Kraken cases in Greece, Koliou told CNA “the risk of the appearance of the new variant in Cyprus is also visible”, adding that its arrival is “a matter of time”.

According to Koliou, the indications for Kraken are no more serious than the existing variants, while she noted that the symptoms of the Kraken mutation are not more severe, but this variant it is excessively more contagious.

When asked how a possible arrival of the Kraken would affect the population of Cyprus, given the immunity that already exists, Koliou said that “what we would not like to see is a rapid increase in the epidemic curve”.

“There will possibly be an increase,” she explained, “because with every new variant we have an increase in the epidemic curve, but what we want is that this curve is not too rapid and sharp.”

She added that even if a new variant has a low percentage of serious cases, when there are too many cases, there will be correspondingly more serious cases, which will require treatment in hospitals or the intensive care unit, resulting in a burden on the system, especially at a time when seasonal flu is very active.

She also noted that the goal should be to slow down the evolution of the variant, when it comes to Cyprus, stressing that this will be achieved by applying self-protection measures.

“Either with vaccines or using a protective mask indoors, even with a double mask. Let’s keep our distance and ensure good ventilation in the areas where we move”, recommended Dr. Koliou.

When asked whether stricter measures have been discussed by the advisory scientific committee in case the Kraken variant arrives in Cyprus, she said that they should first see how the situation will develop if the variant arrives here as well.

“What will worry us is the rapid increase in the epidemic curve. And in such a case it will be discussed whether measures should be taken or not. But first we have to see how the situation will develop when the variant comes,” Koliou pointed out.

She added that to prevent a rapid increase, self-protection measures must be taken, “otherwise if the state sees that hospitalisations and intubated patients are dangerously increasing, then it will have to take measures.”