The members of the Scientific Advisory Committee evaluated the epidemiological picture regarding the disease COVID-19 in a meeting held on Monday afternoon, with the Minister of Health Michalis Hatzipantela.
< p>According to an announcement by the Ministry of Health, the data recorded regarding respiratory system infections, which are divided into two categories, were also discussed, upper respiratory tract infections (caused by viruses) and lower respiratory tract infections, which mainly are caused by bacteria.
During the meeting, suggestions were made by the members of the SEE and it was decided to issue a notice from the Ministry of Health with instructions to the public on protection against respiratory infections, ahead of the holidays of Christmas.
At the same time, the Ministry of Health will intensify its actions to increase the vaccination coverage of the population against COVID-19 and especially to increase vaccinations with a booster dose, given the importance it has for strengthening the immunity of groups of the population that are more susceptible in serious illness and hospitalization.
People should be careful during the holidays, says Karagiannis
—————- ———————–
Besides, in his statements to KYPE, the member of the SEE, Professor of Microbiology/Molecular Virology of the School of Medicine of the University of Nicosia, Dr. Petros Karagiannis, said that at the moment, the epidemiological picture regarding the coronavirus is encouraging.
"We will continue as we have with recommendations, such as people being careful during the holidays, applying self-protection measures, where there is a lot of gathering to wear a mask and if they have symptoms before meeting others to do a quick test to make sure that they are not infected with the coronavirus, he noted.
The Professor pointed out that "at the moment we have an outbreak of influenza A in children, which means that this virus has now also come to Cyprus and simply or quickly it will also affect adults especially the elderly. Therefore, those who got the vaccine well, those who didn't have time to do it.
When asked if the situation with influenza A is worrying, Dr. Karagiannis said that now there is no cause for concern.
p>
«You realize that in the last two or three years we have not been exposed to the flu virus at the rate that was done every year in the pre-pandemic years and there are quite a few vulnerable people in the community and especially young children. Caution is needed because the influenza virus under certain conditions can lead to severe hospitalization and pneumonia, so let's not forget that and above all people belonging to vulnerable groups should be especially careful, he added.
Source : KYPE
