Current situation of covid-19 in northern cyprus Situation actuelle de la covid-19 dans la partie nord de chypre

---

Sultanoglu N., Baddal B., Suer K., Sanlidag T.

Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, vol.26, no.6, pp.641-645, 2020 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus)

• Publication Type: Article / Article
• Volume: 26 Issue: 6
• Publication Date: 2020
• Doi Number: 10.26719/emhj.20.070
• Journal Name: Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal
• Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Child Development & Adolescent Studies, CINAHL, EMBASE, Index Islamicus, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
• Page Numbers: pp.641-645
• Keywords: Control measures, COVID-19, Cyprus, SARS-CoV-2, Surveillance
• Open Archive Collection: AVESIS Open Access Collection
• Manisa Celal Bayar University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Background: The public health burden of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is expected to increase and ur-gent strict measures by decision-makers is critical for the containment of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak worldwide. Aims: This study aimed to give a real-time analysis of COVID-19 presence in northern Cyprus. Methods: All official SARS-CoV-2 positive cases were tracked and reported in terms of the origin, nationality, and transmission routes. Preventive measures taken after the first reported case were analyzed for their effectiveness as control strategies. Results: The index case of SARS-CoV-2 in northern Cyprus was identified as a female German tourist. First local case had travel history from the United Kingdom after which local transmission occurred. Rapid and strict containment measures have currently delayed a peak in observed cases. Conclusions: Rapid implementation of social-distancing measures, good hygiene measures and travel/gathering bans in northern Cyprus has been effective in controlling the outbreak.