Cypriot President Nikos Anastasiades decided to postpone the announcement of new measures that may be more stringent to combat the Corona virus, after his scientific advisers briefed him on Monday evening during a crisis meeting due to the increase in cases of the emerging coronavirus in recent days.

The emergency meeting came just days after Cyprus Tight measures last Wednesday With an overnight curfew imposed on the island and more restrictions in Limassol and Paphos, which have been identified as the epicenter of the virus.

The president said that a declaration would be issued “within 48 hours,” adding that “Cyprus cannot be an exception to what is happening in Europe and the rest of the world.”

“We are trying to prevent the worst,” he said, on his way to attend an event at the Thok State Theater in Nicosia.

He warned that “we are very concerned about the increase, especially among the youth, and what will happen if it affects the elderly and the pressure this will cause on our hospitals,” adding that if this situation continues, the health system and the economy will not be able to cope.

After meeting the advisers for an hour and a half in the presidential palace, Health Minister Konstantinos Ioanno said, “These are difficult times. We are doing everything we can to face the danger. Our priority remains to protect public health.”

Deputy government spokesman Panayiotis Syndonas said that the meeting also included Labor and Social Insurance Minister Zeta Emilianido, as well as representatives of the government hospital system, OKYPY, who briefed the president on hospitals’ ability to handle the record influx of coronavirus patients. Who need care.

Saw Cyprus on Monday Decrease in SARS-CoV-2 cases To 111, down slightly from 116 on Sunday and a third of the record 314 on Saturday, prompting the emergency meeting on Monday.

However, health officials are more concerned that the number of patients seeking hospital care has risen from 69 on Saturday to 77 on Sunday and 85 on Monday.

With 1,732 cases reported so far in November, the month rapidly catches up to 2,611 coronavirus cases in October, the worst month ever since the pandemic in March.

Earlier today, experts said so Another insurance Still an option.

In statements to the Cyprus News Agency, Dr. Konstantinos Tsiotis, a government advisor, said: “All scenarios are on the table.”

He said scientists had prepared suggestions for every possible outcome because they not only looked at the data, but also potential scenarios about how the virus would spread.

“Unfortunately, there has been a serious deterioration in the epidemiological picture of Cyprus in recent weeks, with the option to lock down widely discussed in the media, which has created a climate of fear and blame,” Tsiotis said.

He noted that the recent restrictive measures imposed on Limassol and Paphos are in effect until November 16.

Ioanno said last week that Limassol is the epicenter of the virus on the island, with 420 cases per 100,000 people, followed by Paphos with 294 cases.

The standard as defined by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) is 150 per 100,000.

“We believe that the rate of increase in patients in intensive care and hospital bed occupancy rates COVID-19 are the most important criteria, which will determine whether more stringent measures are needed.”

The infection control expert said all indicators and occupancy rates are currently rising.