The Ministry of Health announced on Thursday 457 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number since the outbreak of the pandemic to 16,647.

Meanwhile, 115 patients are receiving treatment,  25 of whom in a critical condition.

In the last 24 hours 11,518 tests were carried out, 3,750 PRC tests and 7,768 antigen rapid tests.

Out of the rapid tests there were 240 positive results that need further verification with the PCR method.

In the state hospitals there are 115 patients, 55 in the Famagusta General Hospital, 29 in the Nicosia General Hospital, 28 in the Limassol General Hospital and 3 in the Makario Hospital in Nicosia.
 
The 457 new cases were found as follows: 173 out of 940 samples taken after contact tracing, 2 out of 725 tests done at airports, 110 out of 1,396 tests done after private initiative, 18 out of 359 samples taken at the Microbiology Labs of the General Hospitals, 2  out of 120 tests done after GP referrals, 1 out of 42 samples taken at the ELDYK military camp, and finally,
151 out of 156 tests done to verify antigen rapid tests done in previous days.

Meanwhile, no cases were detected after 12 tests carried out for basketball and volleyball teams.