Karagiannis: Why "we should not panic" - What he says about self test

For the suggestions of the experts for the next steps and the measures that must be taken to deal with a new outbreak of the pandemic, the member of the Advisory Scientific Committee, Professor of Microbiology / Molecular Virology of the Medical School of the University of Nicosia, Dr. .

Initially, he reported that the percentage of cases detected among students increased within a week from 25% to 31% with the transmission chains increasing. He added that many primary schools, high schools and lyceums are now affected by this situation.

He explained that "the measures proposed are not as strict as they could be. On the other hand, we should not panic from the point of view that as Cyprus at the moment our vaccination coverage is at a very good level and what we want to do in the next two or three weeks is to give the opportunity to vaccinate everyone who should to take the third dose. We also have to work on those who are not vaccinated who still have some doubts, so that they can make at least the first dose ".

He stressed that the data for the pandemic will be presented to the experts every week. He asked that the data be made public, so that the citizen can see the data as it is, and in particular the numbers related to hospitalizations and deaths of vaccinated people and in which group they are observed.

On the subject of the third dose, he said that if one wants, one can be vaccinated without any risk, even if six months have not passed.

Regarding the self tests, he explained that it is unknown whether the individuals will do the tests correctly to get the result valid while there are doubts whether the result will be finally communicated to the Authorities. "It will be used as a pilot study," he said.