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Extensive Testing and Public Health Interventions for the Control of COVID-19 in the Republic of Cyprus between March
Annalisa Quattrocchi1, Ioannis Mamais2, Constantinos Tsioutis3
1Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University of Nicosia Medical School, 1700 Nicosia, Cyprus.
Insights
The first COVID-19 wave in Cyprus saw 873 cases and 20 deaths. Early testing and interventions helped control the outbreak, with 12% secondary attack rate among contacts.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Infectious Disease Surveillance
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic posed a significant global health challenge.
- Understanding the epidemiology of the first wave is crucial for public health response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the epidemiology of COVID-19 in the Republic of Cyprus during its first epidemic wave.
- To analyze surveillance data, including testing strategies and case characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of surveillance data from laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases (March 9–May 3, 2020).
- Inclusion of targeted testing and population screening data.
- Statistical analysis using logistic regression to identify hospitalization risk factors.
Main Results:
- 64,136 tests were performed, diagnosing 873 cases (2.3% mortality).
- Health-care workers (HCWs) constituted 21.4% of cases; 19.1% required hospitalization, 3.7% ICU admission.
- Male sex, older age, symptoms, and underlying conditions were linked to hospitalization. The secondary attack rate was 12%.
Conclusions:
- Early implementation of interventions, combined with targeted and expanded testing, effectively controlled the COVID-19 outbreak in Cyprus.
- Surveillance data provided critical insights into disease transmission and risk factors during the initial phase of the pandemic.
Abstract:
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has significantly affected the well-being of individuals worldwide. We herein describe the epidemiology of COVID-19 in the Republic of Cyprus during the first epidemic wave (9 March-3 May 2020). We analyzed surveillance data from laboratory-confirmed cases, including targeted testing and population screening. Statistical analyses included logistic regression. During the surveillance period, 64,136 tests (7322.3 per 100,000) were performed, 873 COVID-19 cases were diagnosed, and 20 deaths were reported (2.3%). Health-care workers (HCWs) represented 21.4% of cases. Overall, 19.1% of cases received hospital care and 3.7% required admission to Intensive Care Units. Male sex (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR): 3.04; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.97-4.69), increasing age (aOR: 1.56; 95%CI: 1.36-1.79), symptoms at diagnosis (aOR: 6.05; 95%CI: 3.18-11.50), and underlying health conditions (aOR: 2.08; 95%CI: 1.31-3.31) were associated with hospitalization. For recovered cases, the median time from first to last second negative test was 21 days. Overall, 119 primary cases reported 616 close contacts, yielding a pooled secondary attack rate of 12% (95%CI: 9.6-14.8%). Three population-based screening projects, and two projects targeting employees and HCWs, involving 25,496 people, revealed 60 positive individuals (0.2%). Early implementation of interventions with targeted and expanded testing facilitated prompt outbreak control on the island.
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