<B-0>22767</B-0>
<B-1>From this week's... big things for Christmas. Experts recommend new measures, or not - Monday meeting with the Health Minister to review the epidemiological picture Fewer people at gatherings and with tests at festive tables, suggests Dr Petrikkos, speaking to the Cyprus Times</B-1>
<B-2><B-3>The <B-4>meeting</B-3> next <B-5>Monday</B-4> at the <B-6>Ministry of Health</B-5> is expected to be decisive</B-2>, where members of the <B-7>Scientific Advisory Committee</B-6> are expected to deliver their <B-8>recommendations</B-7> on possible new measures or modifications in view of the holidays.</B-8><B-9>The spread of the <B-10>Omicron</B-9> mutation, increased <B-11>cases</B-10> of coronavirus, the number of hospitalizations and admissions to intensive care units are expected to guide epidemiologists, according to Infectious Disease Pathologist and SSC member Dr. George Petrikkos.</B-11><B-12>"It is expected to be reviewed and recommendations will be made as to whether some variations in measures are needed in view of the holidays and certainly what will determine the decisions is the <B-13>epidemiological picture</B-12> of the coming days, as well as the admissions to <B-14>Hospitals</B-13> and ICUs," he said, speaking to the <B-15>Cyprus</B-14><B-16> Times.</B-15></B-16><B-17><B-18>Later at gatherings and with tests at holiday tables...</B-17></B-18><B-19>When asked, Dr. Petrickos if the situation is worrisome based on the data so far and whether further measures need to be taken for the holidays, he notes that "as things develop, we need to reflect and <B-20>reduce</B-19> the <B-21>meetings</B-20> as much as possible."</B-21><B-22>When asked to explain whether he meant gatherings in general or at <B-23>family tables</B-22>, he emphasized that family gatherings in homes and <B-24>entertainment centers should also be reduced as much as possible.</B-23></B-24></B-25>"At the same time, protection measures</B-26> should be <B-26>strictly observed</B-25> and <B-27>exclusions</B-26> should be made in places where large gatherings take place," he said.</B-27>
<B-28>At the same time, he indicated that with regard to family tables, it would be advisable to <B-29>be tested</B-28>before attending them, as well as to avoid the presence of, vulnerable groups and the unvaccinated.</B-29><B-30>At the same time, he stressed that everyone should be aware of the risk and explained that he believes things will be even more dangerous if the Omicron mutation, which is much more contagious, becomes prevalent in the community.</B-30><B-31>Finally, he said that although he was vaccinated with the three doses, he contracted coronavirus recently when he attended a conference. "But I got sick, fortunately, slightly, and I believe that if I had not been vaccinated, I think I might have gotten very sick and even endangered my life."</B-31>
<B-32>Contents of this article including associated images are owned by <B-33>Cyprus Times</B-32>
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or <B-34>Cyprus Times</B-33></B-34>
<B-35>Source</B-35>
<B-1>From this week's... big things for Christmas. Experts recommend new measures, or not - Monday meeting with the Health Minister to review the epidemiological picture Fewer people at gatherings and with tests at festive tables, suggests Dr Petrikkos, speaking to the Cyprus Times</B-1>
<B-2><B-3>The <B-4>meeting</B-3> next <B-5>Monday</B-4> at the <B-6>Ministry of Health</B-5> is expected to be decisive</B-2>, where members of the <B-7>Scientific Advisory Committee</B-6> are expected to deliver their <B-8>recommendations</B-7> on possible new measures or modifications in view of the holidays.</B-8><B-9>The spread of the <B-10>Omicron</B-9> mutation, increased <B-11>cases</B-10> of coronavirus, the number of hospitalizations and admissions to intensive care units are expected to guide epidemiologists, according to Infectious Disease Pathologist and SSC member Dr. George Petrikkos.</B-11><B-12>"It is expected to be reviewed and recommendations will be made as to whether some variations in measures are needed in view of the holidays and certainly what will determine the decisions is the <B-13>epidemiological picture</B-12> of the coming days, as well as the admissions to <B-14>Hospitals</B-13> and ICUs," he said, speaking to the <B-15>Cyprus</B-14><B-16> Times.</B-15></B-16><B-17><B-18>Later at gatherings and with tests at holiday tables...</B-17></B-18><B-19>When asked, Dr. Petrickos if the situation is worrisome based on the data so far and whether further measures need to be taken for the holidays, he notes that "as things develop, we need to reflect and <B-20>reduce</B-19> the <B-21>meetings</B-20> as much as possible."</B-21><B-22>When asked to explain whether he meant gatherings in general or at <B-23>family tables</B-22>, he emphasized that family gatherings in homes and <B-24>entertainment centers should also be reduced as much as possible.</B-23></B-24></B-25>"At the same time, protection measures</B-26> should be <B-26>strictly observed</B-25> and <B-27>exclusions</B-26> should be made in places where large gatherings take place," he said.</B-27>
<B-28>At the same time, he indicated that with regard to family tables, it would be advisable to <B-29>be tested</B-28>before attending them, as well as to avoid the presence of, vulnerable groups and the unvaccinated.</B-29><B-30>At the same time, he stressed that everyone should be aware of the risk and explained that he believes things will be even more dangerous if the Omicron mutation, which is much more contagious, becomes prevalent in the community.</B-30><B-31>Finally, he said that although he was vaccinated with the three doses, he contracted coronavirus recently when he attended a conference. "But I got sick, fortunately, slightly, and I believe that if I had not been vaccinated, I think I might have gotten very sick and even endangered my life."</B-31>
<B-32>Contents of this article including associated images are owned by <B-33>Cyprus Times</B-32>
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or <B-34>Cyprus Times</B-33></B-34>
<B-35>Source</B-35>
