articles | 03 April 2020

Coronavirus: fatality rate at 3%, hotspots identified

Up until March 31 the mortality rate associated with Covid-19 in Cyprus was less than one in 100,000 people, while the case fatality rate stood at 3%, according to epidemiological data released by the health ministry on Thursday.

Out of an estimated 900,000 people residing in the government-controlled areas, eight people had died by that date, working out to a mortality rate (deaths divided by population) of 0.9 per 100,000 persons.

The case fatality rate (deaths divided by confirmed infections) was 3.0%, or eight deceased out of 267 Covid-19 cases detected.

A total of 7,397 tests had been performed (844.5 per 100,000 population). Of those tested, 267 – or 3.6% – were found positive.

The median age of cases is 48.5 years. By age groups, cases included 11 children and adolescents aged 0-17 years-old, 4%, 175 adults aged 18-59 years, 66%, and 78 people aged 60 years or older, 30%. The age of three cases had not been recorded at the moment.

In total, 30%, or 81 patients received hospital care, and 29 patients or 36% were discharged.

Overall, 14 cases (17% of all hospitalized patients) were admitted to ICU, of which 9 (11% of all hospitalized patients) were in ICU as of March 31.

The median age of patients admitted to ICU was 68 years.

The number of cases in ICU was 1.0 per 100,000 population. By comparison, Italy reported a rate of 6.8 per 100,000 population.

In total, 28%, or 70 laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 cases had a history of travel or residence abroad during the 14 days prior to symptom onset (imported).

These cases have a direct link to the UK and Greece, mainly.

Locally acquired infections — index cases and close-contacts of confirmed cases – accounted for 72% (or 183) of the cases; 20%, or 37, were related to Paphos general hospital.

Of the 267 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19-cases, clinical information is available for 91%, 242, of which 13%, or 32, reported no symptoms, and 87%, 210, reported at least one symptom.

The most-commonly reported symptom was coughing, in 52% of cases; then fever in 50% of cases; muscle pain, 31% of cases; and sore throat in 28% of cases. Other reported symptoms included shortness of breath, diarrhea, and headache.

The median time between symptoms onset and date of sampling was four days, according to the report.

Among all cases, 53% were male, 141, and 47% female, or 125, while for one case the gender had not been recorded.

Also, 25% of all cases, or 67 people, were health workers of which 6%, or 15, were physicians; 13%, or 35, nurses; 4% or 11 of other occupations; and six, or 2%, auxiliary staff.

The majority, 34, were in Paphos, mostly linked to the town’s general hospital.

By location breakdown, 77 cases, or 29%, had been reported in the district of Nicosia; 75 or 28%, in Larnaca; 61, or 23%, in Paphos; 30, or 11% in Limassol; 16, or 6% in Famagusta; four, or 2%, in the British bases; and one in a traveler from Germany.

Information was not available at the time on three cases.

Fifteen%, or 39, of the 267 Covid-19 cases detected in Cyprus by March 31 were reported in Aradippou, Larnaca, making the municipality one of two hotspots, along with Paphos, according to epidemiological data released by the health ministry on Thursday.

The high number of cases in the area prompted health authorities to start a testing programme exclusively for Aradippou residents in a bid to stop the virus from spreading further.

As far as admissions to ICU go, the first took place on March 16, of one person; on March 17, one person; on March 20, one person; March 21, one person; March 22, one person; March 24, three persons; March 25, one person; March 26, two persons; March 27, one person; and March 28, two persons.

Source: Cyprus Mail

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