COVID-19 prevalence in Cyprus is still at high levels despite an improvement, theĀ National Surveillance ReportĀ up to May 3, released on Friday shows.
At the same time the Deaths Report with data up to May 5, indicates that six out of ten deaths during the pandemic occurred in 2021 and that December and January account for the greatest loss of life so far (43%) while April (16%) follows.
In particular, according to the National Surveillance Report the 14-day cumulative diagnosis rate is 1,034.5 per 100,000 population, recording a small drop from the previous 14-day period when it was recorded at 1,145.6/100,000.
All districts recorded a drop apart from Famagusta. In Nicosia the cumulative diagnosis is 1,070.7/100,000 down from 1,187.6/100,000, in Limassol 930.3/100,000 compared to 1,127.3/100,000, in Larnaca 1,084.6/100,000 down from 1,201.3/100,000, in Pafos 717/100,000 compared to 772.5/100,000 and in Famagusta it was recorded at 918.2/100,000 up from 871.2/100,000.
At the same time, comparing the different age groups there was a drop in the ages of 0 ā 19 with 972.4/100,000 compared to 1,229.7/100,000, the ages of 20 ā 59 with 1,244.9/100,000 compared to 1,332.4/100,000 and 60 ā 69 with 704/100,000 compared to 790.7/100,00. The cumulative diagnosis was higher in the age group 70 ā 79 with 406.6/100,000 compared to 396.1/100,000 previously and 80+ with 403/100.000 up from 343.3/100,000.
According to the Ministry of Health “in general, the picture seems to be improving and at any rate there has been no deterioration.”
Until May 3rd, 2021, a total of 65,410 COVID-19 cases have been diagnosed, of which 328 died due to COVID-19 (case fatality risk: 0.5%).
In the last 14 days (20 April – 3 May, 2021), the National Surveillance report says, 9,186 cases were diagnosed. The median age was 35 years (Interquartile range – IQR: 22-49 years); 51.5% were females (4,734), 48.4% males (4,442), and for ten cases (0.1%) information is not currently available.
Referring to the place of exposure: 0.8% (69) cases were imported and 99.2% (9,117) were locally-acquired.
Until May 5th, 2021, 284 people were still hospitalized (currently notified and among those diagnosed till May 3rd). The median age of patients still hospitalized (284, including those discharged on that day) is 61 years (IQR: 50-71 years), 57.8% (164) are males, and 38% (108) are from Nicosia district. One hundred-forty-nine cases (52.5%) still hospitalised have comorbidities.
It is added that of 35 cases in intensive care units (ICU), who are currently notified and diagnosed till May 3rd, 28 are intubated. The median age of current ICU patients is 63 (IQR: 55-67) years and 27 (77.1%) are males. Twenty-three (65.7%) patients currently in ICU have pre-existing conditions.
Over the last 14 days, 99,753 RT PCR and 533,676 rapid antigen tests have been performed (11,233.4 RT PCR and 60,098.6 rapid antigen tests per 100,000 population).
By May 3, this year 82.5% or 53,586 of people diagnosed with COVID-19 have recovered / have been released.
The Deaths Report shows that until May 5, 2021 395 deaths of people diagnosed with COVID-19 have occurred; 66% or 262 were men and 34% or 133 were women.
Out of 395 deaths, 328 or 83% were caused by COVID-19; 66% or 215 of these were men while 34% or 113 were women. The men to women ratio is close to 2:1.
People aged 75 to 89 account for 54% of total deaths. One in five deaths (78) occurs in the 80 ā 84 age group, while 18% or 72 in the 85 ā 89 age group.
December 2020 and January 2021 recorded the greatest loss of life as regards people diagnosed with the disease from the beginning of the pandemic with the percentage reaching 43% of total deaths (85 and 86 deaths respectively). April follows with 62 deaths or 16%.
According to the report six in ten deaths during the pandemic occurred in 2021.
In 2021 the percentage of deaths due to COVID-19 of people aged 60 ā 69 was up by 94% in relation to 2020. It is further added that the greatest increase is observed in the age group of 70 ā 79, with deaths increasing this year by 111%. The percentage of people aged 80+ passing away was up by 21%.
Limassol is the district hardest hit with life loss from COVID-19 (123 or 38%) Nicosia district follows (110, 34%), Larnaca is third (55, 17%), followed by Pafos (23, 7%) and Famagusta (14, 4%). It has not been ascertained where 3 deaths or 1% were residents.
Limassol has the greatest mortality rate with 49.5 deaths per 100,000 population. Larnaca follows with 36.9 deaths per 100,000 and Nicosia with 31.5 deaths per 100,000 population.
