Coronavirus: Two deaths, 397 new infections announced (updated)

Two people died from Covid-19 and 397 new infections were detected in the past 24 hours after 71,251 tests, a positivity rate of 0.56 per cent, the health ministry said on Saturday.

The ministry said 233 people were being treated for the virus in hospital, with 59 in serious or critical condition.

The number of deaths from Covid since the pandemic started last year has reached 334 with recorded cased standing at 69,163.

The deaths concern a 79-year-old woman and a man, 82, both vaccinated.

Since March 220, the virus has claimed the lives of 220 men and 114 women. The average age of the deceased is 78.

Of the 59 people in serious or critical decision, 31 were intubated while three were being treated in the ICU without intubation. Twenty-five were in high dependency units.

Of the 71,251 tests, 6,067 were PCR and the rest, rapid antigen.

Thirty-two new infections were detected among 479 samples collected from the close contacts of previously confirmed cases while seven were among 2,256 samples tested at the two airports.

Private labs reported 86 infections among 2,867 people tested and eight cases were reported by state hospital labs in 256 samples.

Fourteen cases were detected among 1,105 samples tested by private labs and pharmacies using rapid antigen tests and 250 were recorded among 64,079 tests carried out as part of the government’s mass screening programme.

Nicosia reported 81 cases in 20,822 tests, a positivity rate of 0.39 per cent; Limassol had 65 in 14,389 tests, 0.45 per cent, and Larnaca had 32 new infections in 9,678 tests, 0.33 per cent.

Twenty-six cases were found in 5,755 samples in Paphos, a positivity rate of 0.45 per cent, and 33 in Famagusta among 4,466 tests, or 0.74 per cent.

Four cases were also reported among 3,106 samples tested ahead of the reopening of schools and seven in 1,685 samples from care homes and other similar facilities.