Cyprus authorities announced on Thursday 17 new COVID-19 cases, after conducting 2,454 laboratory tests. The total number of positive cases detected in Cyprus rose to 1,772.

An announcement by the Ministry of Health says that five cases were detected after testing 449 samples on private initiative, five cases were found from contact tracing of 173 samples, four cases were detected after testing 232 samples in the framework of a program to test 3,000 people in Larnaca District, two positive cases were found among 588 samples from passengers arriving in Cyprus and one case was detected after testing 382 samples in the framework of a program of the Cyprus Football Association concerning football clubs.

No positive cases were found after testing 134 samples from referrals from GPs, 49 samples from immigrant reception centers, 197 samples tested at Microbiology Labs of General Hospitals and 250 tests run on pupils, teachers and school staff.

Concerning reports that a private school in Limassol District will not operate on Friday, the Ministry of Health notes that no person who studies or works there has been detected to be positive. The Ministry says, however, that one person is found to be a contact of another confirmed case.

In total, 11 patients with SARS-CoV-2 are treated at Famagusta General Hospital, four of which at the advanced care unit. One patient remains intubated at the ICU of Nicosia General Hospital.