The article titled “Current Status of COVID-19 in Northern Cyprus” and prepared by the researchers of Near East University and highlighted the success of TRNC in the fight against the new type of coronavirus (SARS-COV-2), which is declared as a pandemic in the world by World Health Organization (WHO), was published in the Eastern Mediterranean Health Science Journal and shared with the world in the scientific arena.

TRNC is a 'Good Model' in fighting COVID-19...
According to the statement made by the Press and Public Relations Directorate of Near East University, the report written by Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, Prof. Dr. Kaya Süer, Dr. Buket Baddal, and researcher Nazife Sultanoğlu, and consisting of details of measures and decisions which were successfully carried out, and awareness of the public during the fight against the COVID-19, entered to the literature of the World Health Organization as a good model to other countries.

The epidemic was under control with a total of 108 infected people ...
In the report that reveals the situation of TRNC in the COVID-19 fight, it was noted that the coronavirus disease was completely erased, after having only 108 positive cases. According to the report, which included the number of cases, mortality rates and test numbers related to the TRNC population, 108 people were found to be positive, 4 people died and 104 people were discharged after completing their treatment with full recovery. 108 cases with positive coronavirus test; 31 of them were German tourists, 1 of them was Turkmen and the remaining 76 were Turkish Cypriots.

Strict and strong precautions were taken to prevent the virus ...
The report, which stated that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot community focused on the fight against coronavirus under extraordinary conditions, also described the measures and practices taken during the coronavirus epidemic period in TRNC. In the TRNC, where strict measures and precautions have been taken since March 9, when the first case occurred; Schools were vacationed, public and private workplaces were given administrative permission, border crossings were closed for the Southern Cyprus, sea, air and land, and only TRNC citizens and students studying abroad were allowed to travel to the country. Citizens and students entering the country were quarantined for 14 days at the designated quarantine hotels. During the quarantine period, the people who had a positive screening test were transferred to Burhan Nalbantolu state pandemic hospital. Progressive and partial curfew was declared gradually. Obligation to wear a mask was introduced. Entertainment venues, restaurants, hotels, associations, places of worship were closed. The German tourist group that the first case of coronavirus was observed in the country, was quarantined. In the Karpaz region, where an increase in coronavirus cases was detected, three villages were quarantined and entrance and exit to the villages controlled.

Public awareness and good hygiene practices played an important role in the success...
The high sensitivity of the TRNC people to the epidemic had an important impact on success. TRNC people, who obeyed the calls to stay at home, went out only when it was necessary. Compliance with social distance, mask use and hygiene rules was at a high level. This success story, which ended the pandemic in as short as five weeks, was published in WHO's Eastern Mediterranean Health Sciences Journal in English, French and Arabic.