Clustering on first day of phase two ‘not ideal,’ expert says

Four new coronavirus cases emerged on Friday from a bulk of 1,970 samples tested for the virus, the Health Ministry’s daily briefing announced.

Two of the new cases were discovered after 380 samples were collected in the framework of the round of 10,000 tests targeting hair salons, barbershops, beauty salons, tattoo parlours, and food and drink businesses. The two cases involved members of staff of a food and beverage business, which had not resumed operation.

The third case was discovered from the round of 20,000 tests targeting students and school teachers. The Education Minister is expected to issue further details on this new case.

The remaining case emerged after 171 samples taken from members of staff of microbiology labs at General Hospitals were checked for the virus.

On Thursday, Cyprus plunged into the second phase of the relaxation of restriction measures.

“Particular care is needed so that we don’t let our enthusiasm get the better of us,” Dr Marios Loizou said at the coronavirus briefing.

“The need to keep necessary distances and to avoid crowding is crucial,” he said, adding that “the picture that was presented yesterday, particularly at food and beverage places was not ideal.”

He noted that “it makes no difference if distances are kept between tables, what makes a difference is people moving from table to table to chat without wearing a mask.”

“One carrier in such spaces is enough to trigger a chain of infection if rules aren’t followed.”

[Kathimerini Cyprus]