Coronavirus: 224 new cases announced on Friday (updated)

The Health Ministry announced 224 new coronavirus cases on Friday, marginally down on the record high of 233 of the previous day.

The new cases were announced as the state health services unveiled an action plan to ensure 200 beds are available for coronavirus patients, while more beds are at hand in intensive care units.

Today’s 224 new cases came from a total of 3693 tests as follows:

  • 97 cases from 729 tests of contacts of previously confirmed cases
  • 80 cases from 1462 tests taken through private initiative
  • 19 cases from 296 tests from the hospital labs
  • 16 cases from 825 tests among passengers
  • 7 cases from 51 tests after referrals by personal doctors and checks of special groups
  • 1 case from 159 tests among pupils, teachers and school staff
  • 1 case from 100 tests carried out under the programme of the Cyprus Football Association
  • 3 cases from 81 tests at facilities for migrants

Today’s cases bring the total since the start of the outbreak in March to 5,557.

The ministry said there are 54 patients at Famagusta General Hospital, which is the referral hospital for coronavirus, of whom five in the increased dependency unit. There are six intubated patients in the ICU of Nicosia General Hospital and another 10 patients in a coronavirus ward at the same hospital.