In Cyprus, Residents Are Asked Not to Visit A&E With Flu Symptoms: Departments Overloaded With Emergency Cases

The Cyprus State Health Services Organization (Okypy) has urged residents not to visit Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments with flu symptoms, stressing that such departments are intended exclusively for emergency and life-threatening cases.

The statement notes that in case of suspected flu, people should contact their family doctor, while flu tests are available at pharmacies. Okypy emphasized that A&E departments must focus on patients whose lives are at risk.

The Ministry of Health previously reported that the number of influenza, Covid-19 and RSV cases is declining. Deputy Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Elizaveta Konstantinou, said that since the beginning of the winter season, 32 people have died from these three illnesses. The peak of infections occurred immediately after the Christmas holidays.

According to her, the number of hospitalizations in recent days has decreased compared to the previous week. However, a new rise in cases is possible at the beginning of next month, so people in risk groups and the elderly are advised to get vaccinated if they have not yet done so. At the same time, the spring wave of flu and Covid-19 is usually milder than the first one.

Last week, Minister of Health Neophytos Charalambides stated that the situation in hospitals remains manageable and no additional measures are currently required. Nevertheless, he noted that an increase in visits to emergency departments during winter is an annual issue.

According to him, the current infection rate roughly corresponds to last year’s level and may even be slightly lower.