Coronavirus: Nicosia ward to remain open despite virus case, tests continue on health professionals (updated)
The state health services organisation Okypy said on Thursday they have not shut down the Nicosia general hospital’s orthopaedic ward after a patient there was found to have coronavirus, giving reassurances they are taking all necessary measures to protect staff and other patients.
Okypy spokesman Charalambos Charilaou told state broadcaster CyBC that a man admitted to the Nicosia hospital’s orthopaedic ward a few days ago for another health issue was found to have coronavirus after showing symptoms.
He said that the ward would not be shut down since the man was in a single room.
Charilaou said all measures were taken as per the instructions of the health ministry to protect the staff and other patients.
In the meantime, executive director of the Larnaca and Famagusta hospitals Giorgos Karotsakis said a patient admitted to Larnaca hospital’s general clinic for a stroke also tested positive for coronavirus. He had frequently visited coffee-shops despite the ban on movement.
Karotsakis told the Cyprus News Agency that the man, 75, had contacted the virus prior to his admission to Larnaca hospital.
He called 75-year-old’s defiance of the ban on movement “unacceptable and condemnable”.
“Despite the health minister’s decree bannning movement, the 75-year-old had chosen to frequent coffee-shops, putting in danger not only his own life and those of his family but also of doctors and nurses,” Karotsakis told CNA.
He added that 15 doctors and 32 nurses and other staff who have come in contact with the 75-year-old are now is self-isolation for 14 days.
According to Karotsakis, 83 of the 180 samples that have been taken from staff and patients are negative.
The hospital’s general clinic that has 21 inpatients and has been shut with new cases sent to private sector or other state hospitals.
The accident and emergency department is operating on skeleton staff.
The 75-year-old has been transferred to the Famagusta hospital which is the refence hospital for Covid-19 cases.
“Everyone must realise that personal hygiene rules and the decrees need to be adhered to, so as not to put at risk the health of health professionals, who in these difficult times […] must provide their services unhindered so that we can overcome the coronavirus pandemic,” Karotsakis said.
Paphos hospital remains shut as crews continue to disinfect its areas while 23 inpatients have been moved to a safe ward.
The majority of the hospital’s staff, 153 people, are in self-isolation after 23 of their colleagues have tested positive. Two of the staff members who tested positive are now at the Famagusta hospital with respiratory problems.
There are now 94 health professionals working at the Paphos hospital.
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