Cypriot authorities are meeting to consider new restrictions to rein in a Covid-19 infection rate that is now the highest in the world per capita, reports AFP.

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades was to meet with scientific advisers to discuss measures that could include a delayed start to the new school term and restrictions on church gatherings as the island prepares to mark Epiphany, a key date in the Greek Orthodox religious calendar, on Thursday.

According to Agence France-Presse figures, Cyprus recorded the world's highest Covid infection rate per 100,000 inhabitants over the past seven days. It was top with 2,505 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, followed by Denmark (2,117), Ireland (1,946), Greece (1,762) and France (1,680).