NICOSIA  – Despite fears that the Omicron Variant of COVID-19 would overtake the European Union and worsen the pandemic, only one case has been discovered on Cyprus.

The Health Ministry said three potential cases were isolated in the southern city of Limassol following specialised tests by Cyprus’s Institute of Neurology and Genetics, reported Reuters.

None of those who tested positive required hospitalization, the health ministry said, adding that they had traveled abroad but it wasn’t said where, as the variant began in South Africa.

Cyprus is trying to contain the Coronavirus more than a year and a half after it first appeared and has had intermittent success and setbacks despite lockdowns and health measure restrictions.

Police said they conducted 3,101 checks in a 24-hour period up to Dec. 12 and issued 31 fines for individuals and nine for businesses for violating measures aimed at slowing the spread of the virus, The Cyprus Mail said.