The data on the tests that people who are declared as close contacts undergo are changing, while the protocols in the nursing homes are likely to be tightened.
The Epiphany will reduce the number of participants at the tables, while in churches, restaurants and nightclubs the allowed number of attendees will be significantly reduced and those who plan weddings and baptisms will be forced to reduce the number of their guests. At the same time, one may be submitted to the Council of Ministers for approval harsh and unreasonable measure for the unvaccinated declared as contacts since, if an earlier proposal of members of the Council of Ministers is adopted, they will be absent from their work with unpaid leave.
This seems to be the end of the meeting between the Minister of Health and members of the Advisory Committee and with this specific package, which may again have a temporary effect since the epidemiological data will be re-evaluated in a week. Michalis Hadjipandelas and scientists went to the Presidential Palace where they informed the President of the Republic and some of the members of the Council of Ministers.
The proposed measures seem to have been adopted by the President of the Republic, since the Government's goal is to keep the economy fully active, even with strict protocols and restrictions.
Regarding the dining areas, the proposal of the Minister of Health and scientists provided for reduction of the allowed number of persons per premisesHowever, the possibility of reducing the number of people allowed per table was also discussed. The final decision on this issue will be taken today by the Council of Ministers.
A further reduction in the number of persons allowed must be taken for granted nightclubs, as well as for various social events, such as weddings and baptisms, while this time the measures will also affect the churches where the measure will return, which provides for a certain number of believers depending on the size and capacity of each temple. The ceremonies sanctification of the waters probably will not be banned as they were judged to take place outdoors and therefore there is greater security. However, a strict protocol will be set for their implementation. For all the above spaces the allowed number of people will be set to 200 people.
For the Epiphany table, the citizens should not plan large family gatherings, since in all probability the allowed number of people will be reduced from 20 which is today at 10.
Furthermore, due to the huge number of cases that are detected daily, as a result of which the normal tracking process has already stopped, the Council of Ministers may approve a proposal according to which the persons declared as close contacts will be obliged to to undergo two rapid tests on different days before their release and not in a molecular examination since it is not possible to refer tens of thousands of people to public health clinics.
End, the free self-test concession program will continue and this time it is not excluded that it concerns the whole population, including the unvaccinated people, as it is found that these tests help a lot in the timely detection of cases and will be another tool in the Government's effort to avoid the lockdown, which provides and closing the economy.
A proposal for extension of the relevant program to education was also discussed, without, however, finalizing the proposal in order to be studied today by the Government.
What was agreed yesterday between the Minister of Health and scientists and is said to have been adopted by the President of the Republic and the ministers who participated in the meeting at the Presidential Palace, will be presented today at 9:30 in the morning before the Council of Ministers for final decisions. The measures to be decided will be announced by the Minister of Health after the meeting.
The detection of cases in nursing homes in the last ten days has alarmed both the Government and the scientists, while according to information from "F", the number of coronavirus elderly people who are admitted to hospitals for treatment has gradually started to increase. Therefore, the Government is oriented towards ban on the expenses of the elderly from nursing homes in which they live, as it has been established that several became infected with the virus during the time they were with their families.
During their meeting with the President of the Republic, the scientists, as reported by "F", requested the tightening and increase of the checks carried out daily by the Police, emphasizing that in order for the economy to remain fully active, proper supervision is required.
Particular reference was made to phenomena observed in the past when dining areas turned into clubs late at night as a result, due to dancing and large gatherings, virus transmission chains are recorded. As reported by the members of the TEU, if such phenomena are observed again, then for the few who are illegal, the rest of the businessmen will be affected with stricter measures.
At the same time, the members of the TEU requested from the President of the Republic restriction of the list of essential services in order for the teleworking measure to work properly, since, as they argued, the existing list is quite long, with the result that a large number of companies and services are excluded.
Yesterday's report of the pandemic is sad, since five other fellow human beings who were hospitalized in the Intensive Care Units the previous days lost their lives due to the coronavirus. They are three men aged 43, 82 and 84 and two women aged 55 and 73.
TRAGIC REPORT
Five dead and 5.457 cases
Yesterday's report of the pandemic is sad, since five other fellow human beings who were hospitalized in the Intensive Care Units the previous days lost their lives due to the coronavirus. They are three men aged 43, 82 and 84 and two women aged 55 and 73.
An increase was also recorded in the total number of patients with coronavirus in public hospitals, since from 201 that was on Tuesday night it rose to 209, of which 76 are hospitalized in serious condition. Until yesterday afternoon, 32 patients were intubated in the ICU while another 4 were in the ICU outside the ventilator. 40 patients were hospitalized in Intensive Care Units.
It is noteworthy that 20 women and children are being treated at Makareio Hospital.
Regarding the daily cases, yesterday 5.457 new cases were identified from a total of 122.801 examinations, with the positivity rate reaching 4,44%.
It is also noteworthy that 1.007 cases arose from 34.039 tests performed through the program of the Ministry of Health which serves vaccinated people.
It is worrying that 11 cases were found in nursing homes in the provinces of Nicosia and Limassol. This is the tenth consecutive day that positive cases are identified in nursing homes in different provinces.
Meanwhile, according to the latest data from the tracking unit, 1.494 re-infections were recorded last week. That is, 1.494 people who had been infected with the coronavirus in the past were positive for the coronavirus.
The number of cases in most age groups doubled or tripled, while at the age of 18-19 the number of new cases increased sixfold from 25 to 31 December.
In the week of December 25-31, a total of 16.530 cases were identified, the majority of which concerned the age group from 18 to 29 years.
As far as children are concerned, the number of cases between the ages of 6 and 17 (students) doubled last week, when schools were closed.
philenews.com