Increased pressure on public hospitals due to a continuous flow of patients with seasonal infections, Covid-19 and other cases is leading to 100 per cent occupancy rate in state hospitals, the state health services organisation (Okypy) said on Wednesday.

Okypy said the situation is still under control, albeit worrying.

On top of patients with coronavirus – as of Tuesday 71 hospitalised, of which 22 in critical conditions – state hospitals are also treating patients with bronchitis, pneumonia, plus those in need of cardiac, cerebral and orthopaedic care who require hospitalisation.

Okypy said that in recent weeks around 30 non-Covid patients require intubation every day in Nicosia general hospital alone.

On top of that, several recovering Covid patients remain hospitalised all over the island.

“The situation is expected to deteriorate further in the coming period, as a new wave of the coronavirus pandemic all over Europe will lead to an increase in hospitalisations,” Okypy said in a statement.

“State hospitals are taking all necessary measures to provide quality health services to all and to effectively meet the health needs of the population, despite the increased pressure, especially in A&E departments.”