Cyprus authorities announced on Saturday 245 new Covid-19 cases out of 7,235 samples tested with the PCR method and an additional 79 positive results from 6,208 samples tested with the method of antigen rapid testing.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic the total number of cases in Cyprus reaches 8,498.
 
At the Famagusta General Hospital 63 patients are being treated with SARS-CoV-2, five of whom in the Increased Care Unit. Moreover, nine patients are receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit of the Nicosia General Hospital three of whom without the use of a ventilator. One patient is treated at the ICU of the Makarion Hospital in Nicosia. Another 11 more are in the COVID19 ward of Nicosia General. Seven other patients are being treated in a ward at the Limassol General Hospital.
 
In addition, the Ministry says that on Saturday 13,443 coronavirus tests were carried out, 7,235 of which were done with the PCR method and 245 new cases were found as follows: Thirty six are confirmed pcr tests of rapid antigen testing from previous days. Out of 141 samples taken in the context of the contact tracing procedure 45 cases were detected. Another 101 other people tested positive after 2,414 tests carried out on a private initiative, 14 cases were found out of 186 samples taken by the Microbiology Laboratories of the General Hospitals, 11 cases were detected out of 396 samples taken after GP referrals. 

In addition, 18 people tested positive after 1,027 tests done in Limassol district among employees who are allowed to commute from and to the districts of Limassol and Pafos, 2 cases were found after 191 tests taken in the Pafos district among employees who are allowed to commute from and to the districts of Limassol and Pafos, 4 other people tested positive after 864 tests done in Nicosia district among employees who are allowed to commute from and to the districts of Limassol and Pafos. Likewise out of 302 tests in Larnaca district employees who are allowed to commute from and to the districts of Limassol and Pafos 2 people tested positive while out of 270 tests in Famagusta district one person tested positive.

 Two cases were detected out of 10 tests carried out in homes for the elderly, 3 cases were found after 393 tests done at refugee camps, 5 people tested positive out of 174 tests on students and school staff and one person tested positive out of 573 tests carried out on passengers and people repatriating to Cyprus.

No one tested positive out of 21 samples tested among residents of Kato Pyrgos Tillirias.

Out of the total of 13,443 tests carried out today 6,208 samples were tested with the method of antigen rapid testing, out of which a total of 79 positive results were found, the Ministry says.