First case of new COVID variant found in Europe

Nov 26 2021

After flights started receiving bans due to a newly detected variant, the first instance of the new variant was found in Belgium. Belgium revealed Friday that the first case was detected from an unvaccinated person travelling from Egypt. The infected person tested positive on November 22nd and had not had the virus before.

Leading Belgian virologist Marc Van Ranst tweeted out that the person returned from Egypt on November 11th. The variant, so far known only as B.1.1.529, was first detected in Southern Africa. Belgium’s Health minister Frank Vandenbroucke told a media conference that this is so far a suspected variant and it is unclear if it is a very dangerous one.

It is however being suspected to have contributed to a massive surge in cases in South Africa. Many countries are jumping at the precaution at stopping flights to and from southern African countries, with Malta’s ban coming into effect as of 12am between Saturday and Sunday.

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Unidentified body found near Filfla by AFM

Nov 26 2021

The Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) have discovered a so far unidentified body spotted near Filfla on Friday morning.

The discovery was made at around 10:30 am, with police providing no further details at this stage. The body was escorted to the AFM base in Haywharf, Floriana.

An inquiry is being lead by Magistrate Yana Micallef Stafrace, with district police having assisted in the operation.

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Photo Source: GuideMeMalta

Pandemic boosts demand for mental health services by 500%

Nov 26 2021

The demand for mental health services shot up a whopping 500% throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, revealed the Richmond Foundation. Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Dimech Sant revealed that the pandemic affected people from all contexts and over an extended period of time.

Dimech Sant revealed how the impact on people’s mental health in Malta was ‘astounding’. ‘Some with anxiety about going back to the office, some with depressive symptoms developed while working from home, others are anxious about their business slowing down.’She also highlighted the impact on young children whose school routines was disrupted because of COVID-19. This prompted Richmond to expand its free services as people reached out at an overwhelming rate.

She revealed this during a press conference, with the ‘Gift of Therapy’ campaign asking individuals and companies for donations as the demands increase. ‘The average number of requests over a 10 year period stood at between 400 and 600, but this shot up to 4,500 in 2020.’ She also mentioned Olli.chat, an online chat service which has already seen 1,250 requests. Face to face follow up meetings also saw a 900% increase over 6 months.

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Photo Source: Healthline

Ian Borg unveils new stunning €2.3 million Ta’ Qali ‘Adventure Park’

Nov 26 2021

The first part of the Malta National Park project, the ‘Adventure Park’, was unveiled by Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg.

Speaking at a press conference, the minister inaugurated the first part of this multi aspect project to renovate the area into a family friendly space.

The Minister said how this is an investment of about €2.3 million which will be forming part of the rest of the projects which will continue to transform the national park.

He also spoke about how in the past few months, work was being done to give future generations modern, secure and accessible playing equipment, new lighting systems and even sanitary facilities. The project also includes the planting of hundreds of trees and bushes in the area.

‘From an abandoned empty space to a space which captivates people’s attentions’ said the Minister. What do you think?

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Photo Source: Ian Borg FB