NICOSIA, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Cyprus' health authorities have started administering a booster dose of an mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) vaccine against COVID-19 among certain people, a spokesman said here on Wednesday.

The fourth dose would be administered to people aged 80 and over, health professionals and to those living and working in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, according to the spokesman from the Health Ministry.

Children over the age of 12 are also eligible for a third jab if six months have elapsed since the second dose.

The spokesman added that the booster dose will also be made available to people over 70 in the next few days.

On Tuesday, Cyprus reported 5,089 new daily coronavirus infections, which was three times more than three weeks ago, raising alarm bells with health professionals.

A public health official said that hospitalizations have increased by 70 percent, while the number of people on ventilators remained steady.

The further relaxation of restrictions is currently out of the question because of the new spike in cases, said Constantinos Tsioutis, leader of the scientific team advising the government on the pandemic.

The government has extended the existing coronavirus measures until April 11. Enditem

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