COVID-19 cases in Southern Cyprus jump to 214

By Burak Bir

ANKARA (AA) - With additional 35 new coronavirus cases confirmed in Greek Cypriot administration, the number of patients reached 214, local media reported on Sunday.

The death toll also jumped to six after a 68-year-old male patient -- father of a 47-year-old man who already succumbed to the virus -- lost his life in the hospital, the Cyprus Mail reported.

Many of the incidents were transmitted through a family, said Leontios Kostrikkis, a member of the advisory body on the pandemic, adding that people should avoid large family gatherings.

After first appearing in Wuhan, China, last December, the novel coronavirus has spread to at least 177 countries and territories, according to data compiled by U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.

The data shows more than 685,600 cases have been reported worldwide since last December, with the death toll over 32,100 and more than 145,700 recoveries.