More than half of flu samples from hospitalised patients in Cyprus have tested positive for the “K” sub-variant that has concerned the international scientific community since last November, health officials said.
Health Ministry Deputy Director General Elisavet Constantinou said the surge in hospital admissions allowed authorities to conduct necessary testing. “It’s confirmed that over 50% of the samples tested involve this sub-variant,” she said.
“Its appearance in Cyprus was something we expected, but we’re now seeing it confirmed by the tests being conducted,” Constantinou added.
Health officials are warning of a second flu wave in February and urging unvaccinated people to get jabs. “We expect a second epidemic wave of flu in February, which is why we’re calling on citizens who haven’t yet been vaccinated to do so,” Constantinou said.
She said this year’s vaccine offers over 55% coverage against the “K” sub-variant, according to European authorities. “No vaccine, in any year, provides 100% coverage against circulating flu strains,” she added.
Constantinou said flu deaths involved elderly people but also a 64-year-old and a 54-year-old. “Flu affects us all and is not to be taken lightly,” she said.
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