COVID-19 case confirmed in Cyprus

10 Apr 2020

COVID-19 case confirmed in Cyprus

Nicosia, 10th April 2020 – The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) confirms the first case of the coronavirus amongst its peacekeeping personnel today. The patient reported mild symptoms and was isolated immediately after testing positive for COVID-19.

The individual is now being closely monitored by medical staff and the mission is conducting a robust process of contact tracing to prevent the further spread of the virus. UNFICYP is working closely with the authorities to ensure that all relevant protocols to prevent and mitigate the risk of COVID-19 are strictly adhered to. 

In line with the directives of the Secretary-General and the measures introduced by the national authorities, all UNFICYP civilian staff have been instructed, since mid-March, to telecommute from home. Since 4th April, the UN Secretary-General has suspended the rotation and deployments of all uniformed personnel across all UN peace operations until 30th June.

From the earliest manifestation of the outbreak in Cyprus, UNFICYP put strict measures in place to safeguard personnel and the wider community, the mission has stepped up these measures to ensure continuity of operations and prevent the spread of the virus. UNFICYP stands in solidarity with people across the island during these challenging times and will continue its contributions to peace and stability in Cyprus to the utmost of the mission’s capabilities.    

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Notes to Editors

The WHO website contains information and guidance on the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19): https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

The WHO provides daily Situation Reports: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports/

The United Nations has a dedicated website providing more information on the UN system response to COVID-19: https://www.un.org/en/coronavirus

For media enquiries, contact

UNFICYP Spokesperson
 Aleem Siddique

Office: +357 22 61 4408
Mobile: +357 996 16197 - +90-533 8800386
Email: siddiquea@un.org