The risk of further increase of cases and hospitalizations is real and visible, said today to KYPE the Minister of Health, Konstantinos Ioannou, who again appealed to the citizens to once again show a spirit of cooperation and follow the guidelines of the authorities. protocols.
He warns that "if we get to the point where we will not have beds, but staff to treat our patients, we will automatically lose control and experience what we saw in other countries, where nursing staff had to choose which lives to take. he was saving ".
According to Mr. Ioannou, "the lockdown is a scenario that remains on the table", however, he clarified that the government wants to exhaust all other options before resorting to a new harsh, universal and prohibitive lockdown.
Asked by KYPE to comment on the record number of cases recorded by Cyprus on Tuesday, with 941 cases, which is the highest number since the beginning of the pandemic on the island, the Minister of Health said that "this is undoubtedly a very worrying development. which rings a bell to everyone ", to add that the Ministry is concerned about the possibility of further increase of cases, even stabilization for a long time in such high numbers.
"We are more concerned because if we get to the point where we overstep the bounds and lose control of the situation, it will translate into hospitalizations of our fellow human beings, and unfortunately, from those who become seriously ill, some will end up," he said.
Urge citizens to be vaccinated as soon as possible
The Minister of Health, in his statements to KYPE, urges the citizens to proceed with their vaccination as soon as possible and to shield their health and the health of their loved ones.
Asked if we are facing the possibility of an unmanageable situation, given that the increased cases of the last few days will translate into hospital admissions in the near future, Mr. Ioannou said that "a percentage of close to 5% of cases is needed in the process hospitalization and some of them die ".
He emphasizes that "if we get to the point where we will not have beds, but also staff, to treat our patients, we will automatically lose control and live what we saw in other countries, where the medical staff had to choose which lives to he was saving ".
Younger people are now being treated in hospitals
As he noted, "hospitals no longer treat the elderly, who are more vulnerable to the virus, but younger people who in most cases are healthy citizens and are in this position, because they did not pay enough attention or because they relaxed too much and forgot the basic measures personal protection, which we must all follow. "
"What I am saying is that, now, our brother, our boyfriend, our cousin, the teacher of our children are being treated in hospitals. "We do not have the luxury of losing human lives."
The more you choose the vaccine the faster the battle will be won
He also said that "the risk remains at a very high level and now more than ever before we all have personal and social responsibility", adding that "we have the weapon of vaccination at our disposal and as many as we choose to use it in this battle , the faster we will defeat the invisible enemy ".
In addition, he said that "until we complete the vaccination coverage required to have immunity in the community, it is imperative that we adhere to the basic rules", while re-advising citizens to avoid places with high coloration, limiting contacts and their movements to the absolutely necessary, wear a mask where and where needed, take care of simple personal hygiene measures, apply health protocols in their workplaces.
"All this," he added, "are small actions that can protect us from an increase in cases and consequently from illness and death."
There is a possibility of developing 400 beds
Asked if the actions that will be taken in the event of a larger number of cases have been decided and if the hospitals have the capacity to cope with this unprecedented situation, the Minister of Health explained that "in hospitals there is the possibility to develop up to 400 beds and there is the necessary equipment and consumables ".
As he stated, "the cooperation with the private sector significantly relieves the hospitals of OKYPY from the rest of the incidents", however, he clarified that the aim is to have sufficient human resources, doctors of specific specialties and nursing staff.
In addition, he said that "personnel are the ones who will save the lives of citizens and not a machine alone", to add that unfortunately, as is the case in all countries around the world, the availability of human resources is not unlimited.
"We have been in this unprecedented situation for almost 15 months now and we are tired not only of the citizens, but also of the health professionals. "With the attitude and behavior of each of us, observing the required precautionary measures, we create a wall of protection for health professionals, as cases and hospitalizations are reduced."
The lockdown remains on the table
Asked if he considers it necessary to take extraordinary and more stringent measures and if we are faced with the possibility of a new lockdown, Mr. Ioannou said that "the lockdown is a scenario that remains on the table."
However, he clarified that they want to exhaust all other options before resorting to a new hard, universal and prohibitive lockdown.
He expressed the belief that the correct observance of the measures in combination with the vaccination will prevent this scenario, adding that "we have seen in practice that when the measures and the health protocols are applied with reverence and care, they deliver and limit the spread of the virus. ».
He concluded that "it is not the intention of the Government to impose restrictions on citizens at a time when we can, with the will and cooperation of all, reduce the epidemiological burden and move forward safely."