Cyprus` health care system has come under enormous pressure in the past days, Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou has said, urging citizens to continue to follow the measures in place to contain the pandemic. He also said that it will take a while until a large proportion of the population is vaccinated against COVID-19 stressing the need for everyone to continue to be vigilant.

In a written statement issued on Monday, the Ioannou said that there is a large number of patients at the hospitals and especially in ICUs, adding that from the briefing he had from the State Health Services Organisation (OKYPY), the situation is extremely difficult and can, at any time, cease to be manageable.

He said that the situation with the admissions in ICUs is very worrying, based on the healthcare system`s capabilities, both in infrastructure and human resources. The Minister added that OKYPY has a plan for the increase in the number of beds, however as long as the number of cases remains high on a daily basis, the possibility of meeting all these needs will inevitably be exhausted.

Ioannou also said that OKYPY has requested the assistance of private practitioners, mainly pulmonologists and pathologists, in order to meet the increasing needs. The Minister also pointed out that the next few days are extremely critical and in order for the hospitals to respond to the needs, we must all try to limit the spread of the virus and reduce the number of cases.

He urged all citizens to be very careful, to observe personal hygiene measures and to reduce contacts, in order to stop the spread of the virus and, consequently, to reduce the number of cases and patients.

The Health Minister said that there is a euphoria because the vaccinations have began, adding that this should under no circumstances lead to complacency. He said that vaccination of the population will be possible after a few weeks and months, adding that therefore until then we will have to remain vigilant.