The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics has completed the specialized test on 24 samples of people tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus by the community in the last week of December from all Provinces.
The new strain of the virus, VOC 202012/01, was detected in 1 of the 24 samples, which confirms the existence of the mutated strain in the community. Due to the small number of samples tested we are not able to know at this time to what extent it has been transmitted to the community.
There was a discussion in principle with Mr. Kostrikis – without any commitment at the moment – who has developed a less time-consuming process for the test, for the possibility of further investigation of more samples.
As we see in the United Kingdom, where the new strain was first identified and detected in many individuals, the high numbers in daily cases, despite the strict measures applied, are partly attributed to the existence of the new strain in the community.
New decree of the Minister of Health for the management of COVID-19 in nursing homes and other hospitality structures
Possibly today the approval of the Moderna vaccine by the European Medicines Agency
