Phylactou said most of the 185 samples were from the immediate environment of a Nicosia General Hospital heart surgeon who is one of Cyprus’ two confirmed cases of the virus.

The Institute is working round the clock and the examination of samples has become the routine, he added. It is also in contact with the bi-communal technical committee on health regarding developments in Turkish-held northern Cyprus which has one confirmed coronavirus case.

Measures approved by the Council of Ministers to contain the spread of coronavirus have come into force. Schools in Nicosia have closed for three days, universities have closed for two weeks while sporting events will be held without fans until the end of the month.

Cultural and other events are being postponed or cancelled as part of a government ban on all public indoor gatherings with more than 75 people.

Parades and other public events have been cancelled. The closure of the four checkpoints has been extended until cabinet meets again on March 18.

The 1420 phone centre has been deluged with phone calls — about 400 calls every 30 minutes — and authorities have appealed to the public not to use it as an information centre. Personnel have been asked odd queries, including the Feng Shui of the building housing the centre and horoscopes, philenews reports.

Information on the coronavirus is available on special websites of the Press and Information Office and the 1420 line must be left free for those who need it.

In other news:

• The Foreign Ministry late on Tuesday issued updated travel advice informing Cypriot citizens who are abroad or are planning to travel abroad that due to the continued transmission of the coronavirus in various countries, they should avoid travelling to countries and regions that have experienced a large number of cases and generally limit their travel to the necessary.
• The State Health Services Organisation (SHSO) said on Tuesday in a letter sent to the Ministry of Health that the Limassol Hospital will suspend normal operations for 48 hours as of Wednesday, March 11.
• The Education Ministry has published the names of the schools which will close until Friday as a precaution because of the coronavirus. The decision was taken by the Council of Ministers this morning.
• The Turkish Cypriot authorities have announced new measures to contain the spread of coronavirus including suspending some charter flights until April 1 and prohibiting groups of more than 10 from crossing from the government-controlled areas for excursions or pilgrimages until March 15.
• The Pancyprian Veterinary Association said there was no evidence that the coronavirus can be transmitted from humans to animals or vice versa. It issued its announcement after being contacted by concerned pet owners.
• The fast spread of coronavirus worldwide and the first confirmed cases in Cyprus have led consumers to rush to supermarkets all over the island to buy essential supplies, Phileleftheros reports. Supermarket employees have said that after the announcement of the first outbreaks certain items became ‘very popular’ – such as antiseptics, pure alcohol, wet napkins, gloves, toilet paper and home cleaning supplies but the situation is under control and there is no panic buying.