Cyprus’ public hospitals saw a sharp rise in emergency cases over the Easter holidays, the state health services organisation (Okypy) announced on Thursday.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, Okypy spokesman Charalambos Charilaou said accident and emergency departments were pressed to respond to a wide range of incidents.
“Beyond the usual daily cases, there was an increase in minor injuries,” he said.
“These were mostly caused by wood collection or firecrackers. Patients were treated in First Aid and discharged.”
Charilaou explained that the increase in patients was partly due to the absence of personal doctors, many of whom were on holiday leave. As a result, the burden of urgent care fell entirely on emergency department staff.
He also confirmed two serious incidents. A 24-year-old man from Larnaca was hospitalised in Nicosia general hospital after a firecracker injury led to an amputation. In a separate case, a 22-year-old man died after being struck by a falling pole from a bonfire.
Asked whether cases of over-eating were reported this year, Charilaou said no such incidents had been recorded.
“There were some cases of gastroenteritis caused by spoiled food,” he added.
“But nothing out of the ordinary.”
