Cyprus remains above the “safety threshold” of 150 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, despite a drop in the diagnosed cases, recording a cumulative impact of 164,3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the 14 days between February 3-16, 2021. There is a decrease across all Districts, except Limassol, where cases remain above the threshold set by ECDC.
 
According to the Ministry of Health, data from the National Surveillance Report, published on Friday, could indicate an improvement in the overall epidemiological situation in Cyprus, if the situation in Limassol was different, and Cyprus could have been marked “green” in line with ECDC benchmarks. This in turn could lead to a faster relaxation or restrictive measures, the Ministry adds.
 
The positivity rate remains low and follows a downward trend, even to a lesser degree. According to the results of the Ministry’s testing program, using antigen rapid tests, the rate in Limassol is still higher compared to other Districts (at around 0.5%) there is however not upward trend.
 
The cumulative impact in Famagusta is 45 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, in Larnaca 75.2/100,000, in Limassol 390,7/100,000, in Nicosia 83.4/100,000 and in Paphos 46.1/100,000.
 
According to the National Surveillance Report, up to February 16th, 2021, a total of 32,421 COVID-19 cases have been diagnosed, of which 227 died due to COVID-19 (case fatality risk 0.7%).
 
In the last 14 days, from February 3-16, 2021, 1,459 cases were diagnosed. The 14-day cumulative diagnosis rate is 164.3 per 100,000 population. The median age was 38 years, 51.7% were female (755), and 48.3% male (704).
 
Until February 17th, 2021, 91 people were still hospitalized. The median age of patients still hospitalized by 17th of February, 2021 (91, including those discharged on that day) is 66 years, 62.6% (57) are males, and 52.8% (48) are from Limassol district. Sixty-three cases (69.2%) still hospitalised have comorbidities.
 
Of 18 cases in intensive care units (ICU), who are currently notified, 13 are intubated. The median age of current ICU patients is 70 years and 13 (72.2%) are males. Twelve (66.7%) patients currently in ICU have pre-existing conditions.
 
Over the last 14 days, 27,674 RT PCR and 402,572 rapid antigen tests have been performed (3,116.4 RT PCR and 45,334.7 rapid antigen tests per 100,000 population).
 
Up to February 16th, 2021, 32,421 cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been diagnosed (laboratory-confirmed). In the last 14 days (03 -16 Feb, 2021), 1,459 cases have been diagnosed. The 14-day cumulative diagnosis rate of COVID-19 (per 100,000 population), a measure which reflects the number of active COVID-19 cases in the population (prevalence), is 164.3per 100,000 population.
 
Among 1,459 cases diagnosed since 3rd of February, 2021, 51.7% were females (755), and 48.3% males (704). Among all cases diagnosed in the last 14 days, 970 (66.5%) were reported in Limassol district, 289 (19.8%) in Nicosia, 112 (7.7%) in Larnaca, 44 (3%) in Paphos, 22(1.5%) in Famagusta, and 22 (1.5%) were reported either in the British bases or had a residence abroad, or information was not available.
 
In the last 14 days, of 1,459 cases sampled and notified, 0.9% (13) were imported and 99.1% (1,446) were locally-acquired.
 
Also 34.1% (498) reported no symptoms at diagnosis and 65.9% (961) reported at least one symptom.  Moreover, 362 cases (24.9%) reported at least one comorbidity.
 
Among cases, 227 COVID-19 associated deaths were reported in the Republic of Cyprus until February 16th, 2021 (Case Fatality Risk-CFR 0.7%). The COVID-19 associated mortality is 25.6 per 100,000 population.
 
Deaths occurred in 153 men (67.4%) and 74 (32.6%) women; the median age of all COVID-19 associated deaths was 81 years.
 
Among cases, 275 deaths (all causes) were reported in the Republic of Cyprus until February 16th, 2021 (CFR 0.8%). The mortality (all-causes) for people with COVID-19 is 31 per 100,000 population. Deaths occurred in 189 men (68.7%) and 86 (31.3%) women; the median age of all deaths was 81 years.
 
In total, 5.1% (1,666) of people with COVID-19 received hospital care, until February 17th, 2021. The median age of hospitalized patients was 65 years. Hospitalized cases were mainly males (971; 58.3%). The median age of patients still hospitalized up to 17th of February, 2021 (91, including those discharged on that day) is 66 years, 62.6% (57) are males, and 52.8% (48) are from Limassol district. Sixty-three cases (69.2%) still hospitalised have comorbidities.
 
Overall, 176 cases (10.6% of all hospitalized patients) have been admitted to ICU. The median age of patients ever admitted to ICU was 70 years. ICU patients were mainly male (120; 68.2%). The overall median length of stay in ICU (for all ICU cases) was 14days. Until February 17th, 2021 and based on records which rapidly evolve, 18 cases are still in ICU (including deaths/discharged on that day). The median age of current ICU patients is 70 years and 13 (72.2%) are males. Twelve (66.7%) patients currently in ICU have pre-existing conditions. The number of cases currently in ICU is 2 per 100,000 population (until February 17th, 2021, including deaths/discharged on that day).
 
A total of 164 ICU patients (93.2% of all ICU patients) have been intubated-currently there are 13 patients intubated in ICU (including deaths/discharged/extubated on that day).
 
Up to February 17th, 2021, among cases alive, 88.6% (28,468) of COVID-19 cases have recovered/released from isolation; of which 1,315 (4.6%) tested negative two consecutive times, and 27,153 (95.4%) have been released as per later guidelines.
 
According to the Ministry’s report on deaths, also published on Friday, January 2021 was the month with the highest number of deaths of people, who were COVID-19 positive, since the start of the pandemic, marking 31% of total deaths or 86 people. During the sixth week of 2021 the number of deaths (12) decreased by 40% in comparison to a week before.
 
According to data from the EuroMOMO network (European Mortality Monitoring), there is no excessive mortality during the pandemic in Cyprus, until the 6th week of 2021.