Day: July 29, 2022

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Cyprus’ Health Minister discusses monkeypox, Covid pandemic with WHO Director-General

Cyprus’ Health Minister, Michalis Hadjipantela, discussed on Friday in a telephone communication, with the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and the WHO advisor for Infectious Diseases, the data recorded so far, regarding monkeypox, as well the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health said that, the data recorded so far regarding monkeypox were evaluated, while Hadjipantela briefed the WHO Director-General, about the protocols prepared by the Ministry of Health, as well as for the state of readiness of the competent services to deal with and manage suspected or confirmed monkeypox cases.

“There was also an update from the World Health Organization on the data recorded in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and how to manage a new wave ahead of the coming winter,” the statement said.

It was mentioned, it adds, that countries “should promote the vaccination, especially of people in vulnerable groups of the population, but also the promotion of personal protection measures, such as masks, social distancing, hand hygiene.”

In addition, the two officials discussed the actions underway for the operation of a WHO office in Cyprus, with the aim of upgrading preparedness to deal with emerging and epidemic-prone Communicable Diseases and Zoonoses, the statement concludes.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

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Presidential Commissioner Photiou presented the National Strategy for Cypriots of Diaspora

Presidential Commissioner, Photis Photiou outlined a National Strategy for Cypriots of Diaspora which includes how to make more use of the role of overseas Cypriots, strengthen the new generation and promote the Cyprus problem in their home countries.

The Commissioner presented the strategy on the last day of deliberations of the World Conference of Overseas Cypriots by the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots (POMAK), the International Coordinating Committee “Justice for Cyprus” (PSEKA) and the Youth of the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots (NEPOMAK).

Photiou said it is clear that it is important to highlight the reciprocal relationship between Cyprus and Cypriots of the diaspora.

For this reason, he added, the fundamental pillars that need to be highlighted are the role of the federations and organisations, strengthening the connection of young people with their roots, promoting traditions and culture, coordinating actions to promote our positions on the Cyprus problem as well as developing international cooperation with the exchange of know how and common actions as well as simplifying procedures for those wishing to repatriate.

He also said the Online Platform for Cypriots of the Diaspora, which will operate in cooperation with the Deputy Ministry of Research is an innovative platform that reaches out to all overseas Cypriots.

The platform which will soon come into operation, will allow all Cypriots of the Diaspora to register and will include business people, professionals, academics, and others.

An educational segment was also presented entitled “Know your roots” which teaches the language and culture as well as the island’s history and can be used by all people, especially the younger generation.

Photiou called on federations to promote the platform.

The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry presented also a programme to young entrepreneurs under the age of 40. A documentary on the exhumation and identification work regarding the missing persons of Cyprus was also presented.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

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Cyprus records 16 deaths more and 6,863 new COVID-19 cases

Cyprus on Friday announced 16 more deaths from COVID-19 and 6,863 new cases, recorded between July 22 and 28. Seven of the deaths, occurred earlier in the year, between January and July 21.

According to the Health Ministry, 95,172 tests were carried out with a positivity rate of 7.21%.

The deaths concern eight men, aged 63, 64, 67, 70, 70, 75, 78, and 78, and eight women aged 70, 73, 78, 83, 84, 88, 88, and 100. This brings the number of deaths from COVID-19 so far to 1,115.

The Ministry said that, 562,911 COVID-19 cases have been recorded so far.

Currently, 76 patients with COVID-19 are being treated in hospital, including seven who are in serious condition; four of them are in intensive care units (ICU), three of whom intubated, and three in a high-dependency unit.

Three post-COVIDpatients continue to be intubated in the ICU.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

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EMA reviews data on use of sabizabulin for treating COVID-19

EMA’s Emergency Task Force (ETF) has started a review of data on the use of sabizabulin for treating COVID-19, the Ministry of Health has said in a press release.

The review will look at all available data, including data from a study involving hospitalised patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 who are at high risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome and death.[1] The results of this study indicate that sabizabulin treatment could reduce the number of deaths in these patients compared with placebo (a dummy treatment).

“Although the developer, Veru, has not yet applied to EMA for a marketing authorisation or a rolling review, the review (based on data from the company) will assist EU Member States who may consider allowing use of the medicine before a possible authorisation,” it adds.

The review is the first to be triggered under Article 18 of the new EU regulation (Reg 2022/123) that expanded the role of EMA during public health emergencies. The ETF will conduct this review and send recommendations to the Agency’s human medicines committee (CHMP), which will issue the Agency’s opinion.

EMA will communicate on the outcome of the review when it concludes.

Sabizabulin works by disrupting microtubules, which form part of the internal skeleton in cells. These microtubules play a role in helping SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) enter and leave cells. By binding to parts of the microtubules, sabizabulin is expected to interfere with the life cycle of the virus and limit its replication and spread.

Sabizabulin is also expected to supress some inflammatory reactions that occur following infection with SARS-CoV-2, including reactions that can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome and death.

According to the press release, the review of sabizabulin was started on 27 July 2022 under Article 18 of Regulation 2022/123, following a request from Germany. EMA’s Emergency Task Force (ETF) will conduct the review in accordance with Article 18 (3) and send recommendations to EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), which will issue the Agency’s opinion.

“EU Member States may then consider the opinion if they intend to permit use of the medicine before a possible authorisation,” the press release concludes.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

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The first Quantum Communications network in Cyprus is implemented by European University Cyprus scientists

The first quantum communication network in Cyprus will be launched in 2023 after a successful €7.5 million research proposal bid to the European Commission, under the Digital Europe Programme.

The project, namely Cyprus Quantum Communications Infrastructure (CyQCI), will be implemented by scientists at European University Cyprus (EUC) and the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), in collaboration with the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy (DMRID), the Department of Electronic Communications (DEC); the Digital Security Authority (DSA); the Cyprus Telecommunication Authority (CYTA); the Cyprus Research and Academic Network (CYNET), and Hellas-Sat (HS). CyQCI will establish an advanced experimental optical network based on quantum key distribution (QKD), enabling the highly secure transfer of information between critical public, academic and industrial end-users, across three cities. Through this project, Cyprus will participate in the collective efforts of the European Union under the EuroQCI initiative, to develop a trans-European, quantum-safe network.

CyQCI is coordinated by Dr. Konstantinos Katzis, Associate Professor at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, European University Cyprus. The academic team is comprised of Dr. Mariella Minder (CUT), Dr. Christiana Panayi (EUC/CERIDES) and Prof. Kyriacos Kalli (CUT/PhOSLab), while the participation of the public sector is led by Mr. Andronikos Kakkouras (DEC), Mr. Stelios Tziortzis (DEC) and Mr. Costas Efthymiou (DSA). Other governmental authorities and private organisations participating in the implementation of the network are: CYTA led by Mr. Vasos Alexandridis and Mr. Neofytos Morphis , CYNET led by Dr. Georgios Konnis, and HELLAS SAT led by Mr. Kendeas Karantonis. Other governmental authorities such as ministries, critical infrastructure organisations, hospitals, airports and other private organisations will participate as end-users.

The project will run for 30 months and will be co-funded by the European Commission and the Republic of Cyprus (Deputy Ministry of Research Innovation and Digital Policy).

Source: Cyprus News Agency

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Meteo Department issues warning for extremely high temperatures on Saturday

Cyprus Department of Meteorology has issued a new yellow warning for extremely high temperatures on Saturday that could reach around 40 degrees Celsius inland.

The warning is valid from 11:00 to 17:00 local time Saturday.

During the said period, the maximum temperature is expected to reach around 40 degrees Celsius inland and around 32 degrees over the highest mountainous areas, the Department said.

Source: Cyprus News Agency