At least 20,000 people could be in quarantine as COVID-19 cases surge in Malta

Dec 29 2021

Based on an estimate drawn up by Times of Malta, at least 20,000 people could be in quarantine at the moment as COVID-19 case numbers continue to rise in Malta.

On Tuesday, the Health Authorities reported 1,298 new COVID-19 cases, which is the highest daily case number Malta has ever registered, meaning that there were 7,735 active cases in Malta at that moment. With 15,000 people reported to be in quarantine last week, the number has will have risen substantially.

Employers have warned that the considerable amount of people in quarantine may negatively impact the national workforce and local economy, thus calling on Malta’s policymakers to make the necessary changes to adapt to the current situation.

What do you make of this?

Puttinu Cares founder Victor Calvagna in critical condition after St. Paul’s Bay traffic incident

Dec 29 2021

Puttinu Cares founder and president, Victor Calvagna, is currently in critical condition after being hit by a car in St. Paul’s Bay last night.

The Malta Police Force initially reported that it was notified of a traffic incident in Triq it-Trunċiera, with a 63-year-old Mosta resident being injured after being hit by a Mazda Demio driven by a 31-year-old St. Paul’s Bay Resident. A post by the official Puttinu Cares page clarified that it was in fact Dr. Calvagna who was hit by the car and called on its followers to pray for their President. “Pray for him as we believe the children in heaven are praying,” the page stated.

A medical team was called on site and gave immediate assistance, taking Dr. Calvagna to Mater Dei hospital where he was certified to have grievous injuries. Magistrate Marsenne Farrugia was informed of this case while police investigations are still underway.

#MaltaDaily

Next available PCR test appointments from January 3, Health Ministry clarifies

Dec 28 2021

Health Authorities have clarified that the next available date for a state-held COVID-19 test will start from January 3 for asymptomatic people. For people who currently have COVID-19 symptoms, they will be given an appointment for a Rapid Antigen Test for the following day, with the next available day for a PCR in this case being January 2.

Malta Daily has also tried calling for a PCR test and confirmed that people are being given a 6-to-7 day wait for a swab test. With data showing that people are recovering from the Omicron variant faster and the UK being amongst other countries to reduce isolation periods to 7 days, this makes Malta’s current booking situation quite confusing especially people may have already recovered from their test.

Others have also made the argument that they cannot afford to have a test done privately or that it is unfair given the current situation. Currently, around 5,000 swabs are being held every single day, with demand increasing for appointments each day for PCR tests, rapid tests and molecular assay. With this taken into consideration, the Health Ministry is urging people to avoid calling 111 unnecessarily and undergo quarantine when making contact with positive persons.

#MaltaDaily

University students call for online examinations in light of COVID-19 surge & quarantines

Dec 28 2021

With Malta currently experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases and thousands of the island’s residents in quarantine, many organisations and entities have been facing logistical issues in relation to the matter, amongst them the students of the University of Malta.

The University students’ council KSU issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon stating that with a considerable amount of students currently in mandatory quarantine paired with a consistent rise in cases, the situation poses problems for the upcoming examination period. Currently, university policy states that if a student is in mandatory quarantine, the would have their first-sit postponed to September, which is an ‘unfair and illogical’ decision for students in their final year of studies, amongst others. This would mean that if students fail their first sit, they would be left without a second opportunity.

As a result of this, the council called for immediate action on the situation, stating that the only viable solution is for the upcoming January exam session to take place online where feasible ‘while taking the requirements of each unit into consideration.’

The council has stated that as of January 3, ‘all University staff should be back in office and KSU will continue to personally persist on the matter.’

What do you make of the situation?

#MaltaDaily