ITU admissions at their highest following rise in COVID-19 cases

Mar 19 2021

There are currently six Intensive Treatment Units in operation in Malta, with the admission rate being at its highest just last week since the pandemic hit. The rate stood at 2.33 per 100,000 people during the week ending 14th March. Published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the figures include all patients with a steep rise leading to a surge for intensive care.

With the UK variant spreading throughout the community and new cases of South African variant, there are currently 29 people in ITUs with serious COVID-19 cases and three in Gozo’s. Four ITUs are specifically for the pandemic, another for general use and another at Gozo’s general hospital. The seventh is currently on stand-by as new cases are registered daily.

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450 years since Valletta became Malta’s capital city

Mar 19 2021

After the Grand Master of the Knights of Malta Pierre de Monte moved his seat from Fort St. Angelo, Birgu to the Grandmaster’s palace in 18th March 1571, Valletta became Malta’s capital city 450 years ago. Imdina was Malta’s previous capital city when the arrival of the knights in 1530 moved the administrative centre of the island to Birgu.

Named after Jean Parisot de Valette who defended Malta from the Ottoman Empire during the Great Siege, Valletta’s status as a World Heritage Site was established in 1980 by UNESCO, along with the Megalithic Temples and Hal Saflieni Hypogeum. Along with its stunning scenery and long, rich history, Valletta also served as 2018’s European Centre for Culture.

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Groups of migrants relocated to France, Luxembourg and Portugal

Mar 19 2021

More immigrant groups have been relocated to France on Thursday, following other relocations earlier this month to Luxembourg and Portugal. Carried out as part of a commitment of EU member states, the act seeks to relocate a number of irregular immigrants from Malta to EU countries. COVID-19 measures were also ensured before and during the transfer.

Home Affairs Ministry stated that relocated immigrants will have asylum claim in the Member state they are relocated to. The preparations for the relocation involves assistance of the European Commission, Immigration Section of Police Force, International Organisation for Immigration and European Asylum Support Office.

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‘People vaccinated in Malta with no serious side effects’ states Charmaine Gauci

Mar 19 2021

Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci has stated that no-one who was vaccinated in Malta has experienced serious side effects after the jab. She also added that the UK variant is spreading widely throughout the community and is causing three-quarters of new cases. On the other hand, 3 cases of the South African variant have been found with no other variants detected as of yet.

Professor Gauci also stated that Malta will only be accepting vaccines which were approved by the European Medicines Agency. As of 18th March, Malta has administered 133, 871 vaccine doses, of which 41,621 were second doses. Out of 27,515 positive cases, 229 are hospitalised. Measures have also been put in place to aid in the vaccination quest, with no more than two households to meet as largest infections seemingly come from homes.

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