Coronavirus: hike in A&E visits by pensioners fearing AC use during heatwave

The management of Paphos general hospital called on vulnerable groups to use air conditioning in an appropriate manner according to instructions after a number of elderly and vulnerable groups visited the hospital’s A&E department during the heatwave.

The majority of the patients who were weak, dehydrated and had an elevated temperature said they were afraid of using air conditioners because of the risk of transmitting the coronavirus.

By 6.30pm on Monday, 35 patients visited the department. Some of them had to be referred to private clinics for treatment.

Experts say rooms should be well ventilated by keeping the windows slightly open during the use of air conditioning and people should check if the filters are in good condition and the unit is functioning properly.

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.