Cyprus: The rate of detection of the British coronavirus strain in the community is increasing

The British mutated strain of the virus was found in another 45 samples of positive individuals, according to information received by the Ministry of Health from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). The international community has found that the British mutation is more aggressive, causes about 60% more transmission of the virus and, in many cases, is responsible for the increase in cases within the community.

According to the ECDC, the specialized test for sequencing strains in samples sent by the Cyprus was successful in 78 samples covering the period from January to March 6.

Of interest are the following data, which emerged from the examination of the samples and are related to the time when the positive sample was taken:

• Last week December 2020 – January: In a total of 18 samples, the incidence rate of the English variant is estimated at 0%.

• February 1-15: In a total of 16 executives, the incidence rate of the English variant is estimated at 31.25%, ie in five samples out of a total of 16.

• February 15 – March 6: In a total of 44 executives, the percentage of occurrence of the English variant is estimated at 91%, ie in 40 samples out of a total of 44.

Of the 45 samples in which the British mutation was identified, 44 relate to positive cases from the Limassol District (total of samples tested: 73) and one concerns a positive incident from the Paphos District (total of samples tested: 5).

It is also noted that so far, the SARS-CoV-2 virus strain sequence has been successful in 461 samples, in 177 of which the British variant of the virus was identified, 38.39%.