Medical facilities in Cyprus are working under increased pressure amid an increase in the number of cases of seasonal viral infections.
The occupancy rate in public hospitals reaches 85-90 percent, and health authorities are focused on the next ten days, which are considered critical in terms of further developments of the situation.
According to the State Health Organization, between December 23 and December 28, 1,251 people visited the emergency department of Nicosia Central Hospital. A significant proportion of patients were admitted with symptoms of influenza and other seasonal respiratory infections. Of the total number of requests, 362 cases were children treated by the pediatric department.
The busiest day was December 26, when 160 adults and 75 children needed help. The largest number of children's complaints was recorded on December 28 - 76 cases.
As explained by the representative of the State Health Organization, Charalambos Harilaou, the increase in requests is associated with lower temperatures, holiday gatherings, as well as reduced work of private doctors and pediatricians during the holiday period. This has led to increased pressure on emergency departments.
At the same time, fewer cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have been recorded this year compared to the same period last year, when children's departments were overloaded.
Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Health and Director of Medical Services Elizabeth Constantinou said that the public health system's on-duty clinics continue to operate on holidays and weekends. Due to increased viral activity, their hours have been expanded - they now accept patients from 10:00 to 18:00 in all cities.
The Ministry of Health, together with the Health Insurance Organization, continues to assess the situation and, if necessary, is ready to adjust the operating hours of medical institutions, as has been done in previous years.
Source: in-cyprus.philenews.com
