Charmaine Gauci confirms AstraZeneca will still be used for second dose

Jun 14 2021

Speaking on TVAM, Superintendent for Public Health Charmaine Gauci stated that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) confirmed the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine’s safety for use. Responding to the latest news in regards to the vaccine, Professor Gauci stated that Malta has always abided by EMA’s directives and should therefore receive the second dose using the same vaccine.

The Superintendent also said how research is underway concerning the booster dose and whether or not it will be required. She stated that the AstraZeneca vaccine provides protection against the virus for around six months, but could extend beyond that time frame. The professor also confirmed that Malta made enough orders for the vaccine in case a booster dose is actually needed.

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Photo Source: TVAM, Financial Times

Pope Francis labels Mediterranean Europe’s largest cemetery

Jun 14 2021

Pope Francis has called the Mediterranean Sea the largest cemetery in Europe, referencing the amount deaths experienced by irregular immigrants as they attempt to cross in search of a better life. According to the United Nations figures, more than 670 migrants have already died in 2021 alone. The Pope drew attention to the plight of refugees on various occasions, making the latest remark in front of those gathered in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican on Sunday.

He also highlighted the new memorial installed in Syracuse, Sicily. Many migrants lost their lives off the city’s coast in 2015 when the boat being used for travel sank. The Italian navy recovered the wreckage and now serves as tribute to the dead. ‘May this symbol of many tragedies in the Mediterranean continue to appeal to the conscience of all’ stated the Pope.

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Photo Source: Anadolu Agency, comece.eu

1 COVID-19 case registered with 6 recoveries

Jun 14 2021

Malta has registered 1 new case of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours from 1,021 swab tests, while 6 patients have recovered. No deaths were registered in the past 24 hours. This information was announced by the official Facebook page of Malta’s Ministry for Health.

As of Monday 14th June 2021, 589,507 vaccine doses were administered of which 340,028 were 1st doses. 260,424 people are currently fully vaccinated.

To date, Malta has registered 30,582 COVID-19 cases in total, of which: 30,109 have recovered, 419 died and 54 are still active.

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Photo Source: Charmaine Gauci FB

UK lockdown easing delayed by four weeks

Jun 14 2021

Despite the 21st of June having been set as a date to ease the COVID-19 lockdowns, the new epidemiological context has forced authorities to postpone the reopening by four weeks. With senior ministers signing off on the decision today to defat the lifting of health restrictions, this means that capacity limits for sports, pubs and cinemas are to remain, along with nightclubs remaining closed.

The UK was due to move to Boris Johnson’s stage four of the governmental roadmap for reopening on 21st June. But scientists have called for reopening to be delayed to enable further vaccinations as the variants, most notably the Delta variant, cause further concern. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to confirm the delay at a news conference today.

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Photo Source: The Financial Times, The New York Times