90 million Omicron cases found after 10 weeks from detection

Feb 2 2022

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported that 90 million cases of COVID-19 were recorded since the Omicron variant was identified 10 weeks ago. This amounts to more than in all of 2020, which was the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many countries are still easing their restrictive measures following public fatigue and pressure.

However, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyeus cautioned that Omicron should not be underestimated even though it has shown to bring less severe illness than other variants. He cited a very worrying increase in deaths in most regions of the world. ‘We are concerned that a narrative has taken hold in some countries that because of vaccines – and because of Omicorn’s high transmissibility and lower severity – preventing transmission is no longer possible and no longer necessary’.

Tedros said that nothing could be further from the truth, and that it’s premature for any country either to surrender or to declare victory. ;This virus is dangerous and it continues to evolve before our very eyes.’Despite WHO reporting that four of its six regions worldwide seeing increasing death trends, many European countries have started easing lockdown measures. These include UK, France, Ireland and the Netherlands.

Dr Michael Ryan, WHO’s emergencies chief, said countries with higher vaccination rates have more choices about whether or not to ease restrictions. He still said they should assess factors like epidemiology, at-risk populations, immunity in the population and access to health care tools to fight the pandemic.

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Pandemic waste equal to weight of 262,000 jumbo jets WHO warns

Feb 2 2022

The amount of waste being generated by the COVID-19 pandemic is a threat to the environment and human health confirmed the World Health Organisation (WHO). The agency stated that used medical equipment such as needles posed a health hazard. The increase in plastic waste was also straining waste management systems.

WHO called on manufacturers in its report to use more biodegradable materials and eco-friendly packaging, saying that there was a dire need to reform how waste is disposed globally. The materials being throw away include everything from clothing, syringes, gloves, face masks and test kits. WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan said that it is absolutely vital to provide health workers with the right PPE.

‘But it is also vital to ensure that it can be used safely without impacting on the surrounding environment’ said Ryan, with the 71-page report finding that most of the 1.5 billion medical items distributed by the UN in the first months of the pandemic ended up as rubbish.

This is equivalent to the weight of 262,000 jumbo jets. Disposable gloves contributed most to the waste generation than any other item. The WHO’s own guidance does not recommend healthcare workers be required to wear gloves while administering vaccines.

It was estimated that 3.4 billion single use masks were discarded everyday in 2020 globally. Most are made of plastic, posing pollution problems on both land and water. WHO also found that more than half of healthcare facilities in poorer countries rent able to deal with the waste safely.

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Motorcyclist dies after Gudja traffic incident

Feb 2 2022

Police were informed this morning at around 10:00am that an accident had taken place in Triq Ħal-Tarxien, Gudja.

Police convened immediately on the site, with preliminary investigations showing that an accident between a Ford Transit van driven by a 62-year-old Qrendi resident and a Kawasaki Z300 driven by a 42-year-old Gudja resident had taken place.

The motorcycle driver was given first aid and taken to Mater Dei Hospital via ambulance, but was later certified dead.

Magistrate Dr Claire Żammit Stafrace LL.D was informed of the case and opened an inquiry. Police investigations are still ongoing.

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Photo Source: Malta Police Force Communications

1,027 people used Detox Centre in first half of 2021 to overcome drugs

Feb 2 2022

2021’s first half saw up to 1,027 people making use of the Detox Centre, which offers treatment to overcome drug addiction.

Aġenzija Sedqa, it it’s Interim Half-Yearly Statistical Report, said that 1,027 people received treatment at the Substance Misuse Out-Patient Unit (SMOPU) in the first six months of last year.

This is slightly higher from 1,008 in the entirety of 2020. Of these, 975 were known cases, 40 were new, 10 recontact cases and one was an intake case.

Aġegnzija Sedqa offers several multi-disciplinary services related to substance and behaviour addictions. These include prevention services, community based rehabilitation programmes, residential rehabilitation services, therapeutic services, inpatient and outpatient medical services as well as opiate substitution treatment.

The Detox Centre in Gwardamangia aims to engage individuals with a substance misuse problem in low threshold interventions. Basic medical, social, and psychological needs are assessed and the necessary assistance is provided.

In the first six months of 2021, 736 people were given methadone treatment, with 1,031 litres of methadone distributed. Meanwhile, 78 individuals made use of the agency’s Substance Misuse In-patient centre at Dar l-Impenn. These included 43 new cases and 23 recontacts.

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