Karagiannis: When will the situation normalize and we will have measures lifted

The prediction of Petros Karagiannis for the epidemiological picture

karagg 291220 Coronavirus, Petros Karagiannis

The situation with the number of coronavirus cases is stabilizing, estimates the member of the Advisory Scientific Committee, Professor of Microbiology / Molecular Virology of the Medical School of the University of Nicosia Dr. Petros Karagiannis, adding that in the next one or two weeks there will be a decrease in Limassol. He also estimates that by the end of April, the situation will be normalized and we will have the lifting of restrictions.

In his statements to KYPE, Dr. Karagiannis said that the epidemiological picture seems to have stabilized in the last three days. "I think that yesterday, because there was not the same number of tests as in previous days, today there may be a little more cases but generally the positive rate is around 1%," he noted.

He stressed, however, that attention must be paid to the health system if it can cope.

"We have to keep our eyes on hospital admissions. There is pressure, the number of incidents is the same as it was in January-February, when we entered the strictest measures. The difference is that patients are now younger because older people are vaccinated. "I believe that the period of admissions in large numbers will stabilize and we will see more discharges from hospitals," he added.

Asked to comment on the current relaxation with the opening of restaurants in the open, he said that there will be no problem if the strict protocols are followed.

He expressed the belief that both the guests and the owners of the restaurants will follow the measures and instructions in the interest of all so that the situation does not worsen.

"I believe that if these spaces work with the protocols, as they have been announced, we will not have a problem. There may be a slight increase in cases. "But I hope the situation will stabilize."

In relation to the situation in Limassol, Professor Karagiannis stated that it has not deteriorated, nor has it significantly improved, but remains stagnant with a positivity rate of 1,3% on average.

"I believe that we will start to see a drop in the number of cases in the next one or two weeks with the measures that have been announced, ie the non-return of children to high schools and the closure of primary schools," he noted.

Dr. Karagiannis called on the people to observe the self-protection measures and to be patient for a while.

"People are tired, but that does not mean we have to destroy what we have achieved so far. It still takes a little patience. "Vaccination coverage at least towards the end of the month will be such that it will shield even more people and in combination with the good weather that we are expected to have then, the restrictions will begin to be lifted slowly," he said.

Asked when we will have a tangible part of our normalcy, he said he sees this towards the end of April.

"To what extent can I not predict at this time? It will depend on how our epidemiological picture is formed by then. I believe that with a little care from all of us we will be able to control the situation for the better ", he added.