Professor of Microbiology/Molecular Virology at the Medical School of the University of Nicosia, Peter Karayiannis, told CNA on Monday that the possibility of taking additional and more strict measures against the spread of COVID-19 is a remote one.
Asked by CNA whether an epidemic could break out, he stressed that we are not dealing now with an epidemic wave, but with an outbreak.
He said that at the end of last week there were 4,000 known cases in Cyprus, adding that when the Omicron variant was predominant in the community there were almost 4,000 cases a day, with the highest number recorded daily reaching 7,000.
Therefore, he pointed out, this is not a wave, it is an outbreak which will complete its cycle and begin to recede.
He expressed the view that in one to two weeks there will be a decline but he advised the public to be very careful, given the return of children to school, where there may be an outbreak.
Asked if a larger number of cases will be recorded in the coming days, given the gatherin
gs during the Christmas holidays, he said that “we will see an increase in the numbers, but not to the extent that will worry us”.
Regarding the low number of people going to the vaccination centers, he said that this is not of concern, explaining that “there is a high level of immunity in the community, which mitigates the symptoms”.
He pointed out that vaccinations need to be intensified among the elderly, who are mainly the ones who are hospitalized at this stage.
Asked if there will be a new meeting at the Ministry of Health with the members of the Scientific Monitoring Committee for COVID-19 he said that the regular meeting with the Ministry of Health will take place at the end of the month or at the beginning of February, but he stressed that the adoption of additional, stricter measures is a “remote scenario”.
Source: Cyprus News Agency