H1N1 cases spread north and south

FIFTY PEOPLE were examined yesterday morning for the HIN1 virus 31of whom were confirmed as being infected. This brings the total number in Cyprus to 297. Among the 31 new cases of HIN1 virus 15 were Cypriot.

Until today 580 people were examined for the HIN1 virus. Already 204 people have been released after treatment.

Meanwhile members and athletes of SPE Strovolos handball team arrived from Italy yesterday. The 12 members of the team were infected by HIN1 virus and had to be hospitalised and treated in Italy.

Also four new cases of HIN1 flu were confirmed in the north of the island yesterday, increasing the number of infected people to 18.

Although 11 samples had been sent to Ankara to be examined only four were confirmed with HIN1 virus, also known as swine flu. From the 18 cases in the north 10 people have been released after treatment.

Unconfirmed reports yesterday said that the Romanian diplomatic mission in Cyprus would be closed until July 20 because seven personnel, including the ambassador, had contacted the HIV1 virus.

The reports said that Romania’s Foreign Ministry would send 12 Tamiflu shots to treat the infected personnel and prevent the virus from spreading.

They also said that citizens who require the consulate’s service can contact the Athens and Thessaloniki Romanian consulates.

It said an appeal had been issued to all Romanian people who visited the consulate the last few days to contact a doctor if any signs of flu symptoms appear. The Romanian embassy was not picking up the phone yesterday.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.