Last COVID-19 patient discharged in Northern Cyprus

LEFKOSA, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

The last coronavirus patient in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has been discharged from hospital, said the country’s prime minister on Monday.

Zekai Gece, 83, was discharged with a ceremony attended by the country’s prime minister and health minister.

The island nation in the Mediterranean has not reported any positive COVID-19 cases in the last 24 days, said Health Minister Ali Pilli.

Some 1,000 tests were carried out on Monday and not one came out positive, he added.

Prime Minister Ersin Tatar said the last COVID-19 patient was discharged two months after the country reported its first case.

"TRNC successfully managed the COVID-19 pandemic. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this process, especially healthcare professionals," he said.

"We should be careful. We must keep the social distance and wear masks," he added.

Gece thanked everyone who helped his treatment.

TRNC registered a total of four deaths due to coronavirus, while 104 people recovered from the disease. The total number of confirmed cases in the country was 108.

After originating in China last December, COVID-19 has spread to at least 187 countries and regions. Europe and the US are currently the worst-hit regions.

The pandemic has killed over 284,500 people worldwide, with total infections more than 4.15 million, while recoveries surpassed 1.43 million, according to figures compiled by the US’ Johns Hopkins University.

*Writing by Fahri Aksut