Ministry of Health: The British strain of the virus was found in other samples in Cyprus

The British mutant strain of the virus was found in another 45 samples of positive individuals, according to information received by the Ministry of Health from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

A statement from the Pentagon said that the international community has found that the British mutation is more aggressive, causes about 60% more transmission of the virus and, in many cases, is responsible for the increase in cases within the community.

"According to the ECDC, the specialized examination for sequencing of strains (samples) in samples sent from Cyprus was successful in 78 samples for the period starting from January to March 6", it is added.

According to the Ministry of Health, the following data are of interest, which emerged from the examination of the samples and are related to the time when the positive sample was taken:

• Last week December 2020 - January: In a total of 18 samples, the incidence rate of the English variant is estimated at 0%.
• February 1-15: In a total of 16 strains, the incidence rate of the English variant is estimated at 31,25%, ie in five samples from a total of 16.
• February 15 - March 6: In a total of 44 strains, the incidence rate of the English variant is estimated at 91%, ie in 40 samples out of a total of 44.

It is also reported that out of the 45 samples in which the British mutation was identified, 44 are positive cases from the Limassol District (total of samples tested: 73) and one is a positive case from the Paphos District (total of samples tested: 5) .

It is also noted that so far, the SARS-CoV-2 virus strain sequence has been successful in 461 samples, in 177 of which the British variant of the virus was identified, 38,39%.

The Ministry of Health notes that "virus mutations are of great concern in all European countries, with the ECDC recommendations focusing on intensifying controls by utilizing mass controls, strict surveillance at entry gates and tracking contacts. cases, with the aim of early detection of mutations ".

In line with the ECDC guidelines, he continues, "at the national level, Cyprus since the beginning of the pandemic has invested in the continuous monitoring of the epidemiological image of the country by conducting increased tests in the community, but also increased controls at the gates of the Republic." .

"The thorough tracking of contacts of positive incidents contributed significantly to the timely detection of cases and their isolation, a practice that resulted in preventing further outbreaks of cases in the community," concludes the announcement of the Ministry of Health.