The issue of the endemicity of the virus has not yet been put on the table, said Health Minister Michael Hatzipantelas today, who said that what was on the table was "how we learn to live with this virus".
In remarks after a meeting of the House Health Committee, which discussed the bill relating to dangerous and infectious diseases, the Health Minister said that if the test to stay measure, which will be implemented on Monday in schools, succeeds, there is a thought of adopting it in other groups of the population,[/B] so that we can move to the endemicity phase.
Possibility of adopting the test to stay in medical staff and security forces on Wednesday
He explained that there is a strong possibility that next Wednesday scientists will adopt this measure in the wider society, explaining that there are thoughts of adopting the measure in medical staff and security forces.
Commenting on the reactions of teachers, who are calling for this measure not to be implemented, he said that their opinion is respected, but as he added, "the decision of the experts who make the recommendations is also respected."
The health minister also said that the level of education in schools has decreased significantly, so the goal is to keep schools open.
"We have been doing this since September and we want to implement it in the coming months," he added.
[BR][BR]Further decrease in hospitalizations in the coming days
In response to a reporter's remark that there has been asignificant decrease in hospitalizations in the last two days, the Health Minister said that based on the information he received today from the OKYPY "a further decrease is expected in the coming days".
At the same time, he said that the Ministry of Health is assessing the circumstances of the pandemic on a daily basis and if new measures need to be taken then they will do so.
In relation to the drugs that are in Cyprus' quiver, Hatzipantelas said that they will help to avoid additional hospitalisations.
He also noted that Pfizer's drug is expected to arrive in Cyprus at the end of January early February, while he noted that several millions have been invested for the drugs.
In addition, the Health Minister said that tomorrow there will be a teleconference of EU Health Ministers, who will discuss the Omicron variant.
"Unfortunately," he said, "in other EU member states, cases have been very high in recent days. Fortunately in Cyprus we took timely measures once again and the situation seems to be very good," he added.
He said that the circumstances of the pandemic in Cyprus are being assessed daily, noting that if new measures have to be taken they will be taken, if relaxations have to be given they will be given.
Source: CNA
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