Five COVID-19 self-testing kits approved by Medicines Authority

Apr 20 2022

The first five COVID-19 self-testing kits have been approved by the Medicines Authority. Pharmacists were informed by the health authorities last Thursday to not sell the kits because the authority had yet to publish the list of approved tests.

Times of Malta were informed by Medicines Authority chief Anthony Serracino Inglott that applications to approve 10 types of kits were received soon after the legal notice was published.

According to the authority’s website, five devices have been formally approved for sale from pharmacies. The kits can only bee sold in pharmacies, but the newsroom was informed that self-tests are available online as well as in grocery stores, petrol stations and ironmongers.

The five approved kits are: Flowflex SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test (Self-Testing); On-Site Covid 19 Ag Self-Test; Clungene Antigen Rapid Test Self-Test; SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test; and SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Self-Test Nasal (Roche).

All five are different to the already approved rapid testing kits which were used by health care professionals in the private sector in recent months. Authorities, health sources said, would only green light the sale of kits that use nasal swabs for self-testing.

The tests used by healthcare professionals utilise nasopharyngeal swabs that collect samples from the upper part of the throat behind the nose. Nasal swabs collect samples from the tip of the nose.

Sources claimed that because it is difficult to get the proper sample with a nasopharyngeal swab without medical training, it had been agreed that only kits which use nasal swabs will be allowed on the market.

Kits will not have a price cap, meaning they can be sold at any price.

#MaltaDaily

Former Belgium ambassador’s home facade vandalised

Apr 20 2022

The facade of former ambassador for Belgium Ray Azzopardi in Tarxien was vandalised with red spray paint on Tuesday.

Writing on Facebook, Azzopardi said that ‘today, we experienced an act of vandalism when someone sprayed red paint across the outside door, the wall, intercom and letterbox between 8:15 and 11pm.’

Thanking his neighbours for helping him clean up, he asked for anyone who had information to pass it on to the police. His partner Clint Flores posted to social media as well saying that he never expected this.

Malta’s ambassador to Belgium until December served as public relations officer to the late Health Minister Vincent Moran and headed the Labour Party’s One Radio Station, as well as Malta’s mission to NATO.

#MaltaDaily

Netflix lost 200,000 subscribers in first three months of 2022

Apr 20 2022

Streaming giant company Netflix has lost an immense amount of subscribers for the first time in more than 10 years.

The company lost 200,000 members in the first three months of this year, with the declines coming after the firm raised prices in key markets such as the US and UK.

The company also pulled out of Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, which is a move that the company predicted could deliver quite a hit. This prompted it to warn that it will crack down on account sharing to create new members.

It estimates more than 100 million households are breaking its rules by sharing passwords. Netflix boss Reed Hastings said that when it was growing fast, it was not a high priority, as opposed to now.

In a letter to share-holders, Netflix said that a surge in sign-ups it saw during the pandemic had ‘obscured the picture’ and it warned that another two million are likely to leave by July.

The last time the company lost members in a quarter was October of 2011. It still boasts more than 220 million subscribers globally, but it also claimed that pulling out of Russia cost it 700,000 subscribers.

#MaltaDaily

Inter beat rivals Milan to reach Coppa Italia Final

Apr 20 2022

Argentinian striker Lautaro Martinez scored a brace as he helped his Inter team beat cross city rivals Milan 3-0 to reach the Coppa Italia Final. The Nerrazzuri will now face one of Fiorentina or eternal rivals Juventus in the Coppa Italia final held in the capital city, Rome. This is the first Coppa Italia final for Inter in over 10 years, with the last being in 2011 when they beat Palermo 3-1.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 433 (@433)

Inter started the game in good fashion, scoring in the 3rd minute from a precise Lautaro Martinez volley that Milan keeper Mike Maignan couldn’t save. The early goal didn’t dishearten Milan but throughout the half the Rossoneri weren’t clinical enough in front of the goal with quick winger Rafael Leao and striker Olivier Giroud missing multiple chances. Inter closed out the second half by doubling their lead when Joaquin Correa found Lautaro Martinez who coolly scored another goal.

The second half started and Milan looked more eager and confident. The Rossoneri thought they scored a goal when midfielder Ismael Bennacer scored a long range screamer, but it was ruled out since Pierre Kalulu who was in an offside position was deemed to be distracting Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic. New Inter signing Roben Goosens scored his first goal for the champions in the 82nd minute to kill off any chances of a Milan comeback.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Inter 🏆🇮🇹 (@inter)

All eyes will now be on Juventus versus Fiorentina to see who will battle it out against Inter in Rome on the 11th of May.

#MaltaDaily