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Elderly make up just 6% of COVID-19 cases

Elderly make up just 6% of COVID-19 cases
Dec 13 2021 Share

Fresh EU data has shown that the elderly made up just 6% of all new COVID-19 cases detected last week. 

The older groups have reportedly continued to evade infection, despite figures showing how during the week ending December 5th, Malta continued to detect high number of new cases than previous months. 

Published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the weekly released data shows that just 40 of 663 cases found were patients over the age of 65. 

Those over 80, the older patients, made up just a fourth of the cases. Just 10 patients contracted COVID-19 within a seven-day period. The over 80 cohort registered the lowest infection rate among all ages. At 55.5 cases per 100,000 people, the infection rate was a fraction of those register among younger cohorts. 

Looking at younger cohorts, the age for those aged between 65 and 79 stood at 64.1 cases per 100,000. The next lowest rate was 213 cases per 100,000 in the 15 to 24 age group. 

The remaining age groups, under 15s, 15 to 24 and 25 to 49, registered rates of 240, 213 and 248 respectively. Health authorities are pointing towards the booster dose as being the main factor behind this evasion by the elderly. 

The first to get their booster vaccine dose were those in their 80s, with the majority aged over 70 being vaccinated with the booster by early November. Health Minister Chris Fearne said that all those over 50 will receive a booster shot by the end of the year. 

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Photo Source: BBC

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‘Know that you are unique and that’s what makes you beautiful’ – Miss Universe 2021

‘Know that you are unique and that’s what makes you beautiful’ - Miss Universe 2021
Dec 13 2021 Share

Harnaaz Sandhu, representing India, became the 70th winner of the Miss Universe Competition – a whopping 21 years since her country last won the title. 

On Monday, December 13th, the 70th Miss Universe pageant took place in Eliat, Israel. The 21-year-old took home the crown, beating Paraguay’s Nadia Ferreira and South Africa’s Lalela Mswane. 

Asked in the final round what advice she would give to young women watching on how to deal with the pressures they face today, Sandhu replied;

‘Well, I think the biggest pressure the youth of today is facing is to believe in themselves.

‘To know that you are unique and that’s what makes you beautiful, stop comparing yourselves with others, and let’s talk about more important things that’s happening worldwide.’

‘I think this is what you need to understand’ she continued. ‘Come out, speak for yourself, because you are the leader of your life. You are the voice of your own life. I believe in myself and that’s why I’m standing here today. Thank you’. 

Sandhu is also studying for a master’s degree in public administration whilst also pursuing a modelling career she began as a teenager. 

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Photo Source: Al Jazeera

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Maltese comfortable at bars but not travelling during pandemic

Maltese comfortable at bars but not travelling during pandemic
Dec 13 2021 Share

A survey published by EY Malta has revealed that most Maltese consumers are comfortable with sitting at a bar or a restaurant but many are still uneasy travelling on a plane given COVID-19. This marks the fifth edition of the future consumer survey which asked 716 participants to rank comfort levels with a list of activities given the COVID-19 pandemic. 

More than three quarters of people revealed that they were comfortable shopping in supermarkets, going to medical appointments and even allowing kids to attend school in person. Bars and restaurants are also good to go, as opposed to just two percent who expressed that they would need years before they could go to such establishments. 

Travelling however took a massive hit as only 45% said they were comfortable with air travel, with 42% saying they would go on a cruise. This is still an improvement as in July, only a quarter had said they were comfortable flying, with even fewer considering sea-based voyages. 

This survey was carried out in October and November, just before the Omicron variant forced new restrictions locally and internationally when it comes to travel. There were more impacts on daily life, with 35% of respondents saying they want to keep working more flexibly, and 53% saying they changed their perspective on life. 

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Photo Source: SpareFlare, Lichfield Live

Bronze medal for Yazmin Zammit Stevens in Commonwealth IWF World Championships

Bronze medal for Yazmin Zammit Stevens in Commonwealth IWF World Championships
Dec 13 2021 Share

The Maltese athletic scene is still beaming with skill as Yazmin Zammit Stevens brings home the bronze medal in the Commonwealth category at the IWF World Championships.

This marks Malta’s second medal at the competition overall, with Stevens winning the award in the 64kg. 

This means that Stevens has placed 13th in the entire world – ‘the best senior world champs ranking ever for Malta’.

Taking to social media, the weightlifter said that this was ‘definitely the most competitive meet I’ve ever participated in and I had the time of my life.’ 

She acknowledged there’s far more to experience and achieve, but given the award and the hard work, she wants to process this moment before moving onto her next target. 

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Photo Source: yazmin.stevens IG