Written statement by the Minister of Health Mr. Konstantinos Ioannou following the detection of a series of cases in a Slaughterhouse
According to information received by the Epidemiological Surveillance Unit of the Ministry of Health from a contracted private laboratory, which carried out a laboratory test on the staff of the Nicosia District Slaughterhouse, out of a total of 146 samples taken, 92 cases were identified. COVID-19.
The Epidemiological Surveillance Unit is in contact with the management of the premises in order to separate the positives in the viral person and to observe the relevant protocols.
It is noted that the Slaughterhouse remains closed.
Written statement by the Minister of Health Mr. Konstantinos Ioannou following the detection of a series of cases in a Slaughterhouse
The detection of the outbreak of cases in a slaughterhouse in Nicosia, following the recording of cases in other workplaces, demonstrates incorrect application of the relevant health protocols and in several cases reveals the violation of protection measures.
Such events are extremely worrying because they undermine the collective effort to deal with the health crisis and effectively nullify the sacrifices made by society as a whole to curb the virus.
Our strategy for managing the pandemic is based more on cooperation than enforcement, hence all the time we are in contact with employers, professionals and trade unions, the commercial and industrial world, workers' organizations and everyone the others involved, whom we treat as valuable partners in the effort to curb the virus.
Unfortunately, in many cases, despite the constant consultations, appeals, instructions, facilities and instructions, there is unforgivable indifference, which is a challenge for the thousands of employees, employers and citizens in general who follow the measures and follow the health protocols faithfully.
Currently, the priority of the Health Services, and in particular of the Epidemiological Surveillance Unit of the Ministry of Health, is to identify and isolate cases and their contacts to limit the further spread of the virus. The conditions under which this major contamination has occurred in this slaughterhouse are under investigation.
Once again, I call for the observance of the health protocols and for the reduction of the circle of contacts. The next few days are crucial for the evolution of the epidemiological picture in our country and the behavior of all of us will judge whether the situation will remain at manageable levels.