IVF medicine to be paid by government starting next year

Jun 30 2021

Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne announced that, starting from next year, any expenses linked to IVF medicine will be paid for by the Maltese government. Despite the government already covering around €15,000 in expenses for the treatment, couples are still having to pay around €3,000 in medicines. The government aims to cover all the remaining expenses.

Fearne revealed the information whilst speaking in parliament and said that thanks to IVF, there have been 373 births in Malta. IVF was introduced to public health in 2013, with Malta currently having 28 women pregnant with IVF. 35 babies are expected to be born through IVF by the end of 2021, with some mothers expecting twins.

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Photo Source: Chris Fearne, parla

Rain of baby bats due to record heat wave

Jun 30 2021

The Wildlife Rescue Team Malta reported that the past few days have seen an unusually high number of cases of baby bats falling out of sky. The pups are about the size of a 10 cent coin and since the 18th of June, 7 calls were reported calling for assistance in such situations. 6 of these calls were made in the past 4 days. The WRTA reported that despite such reports in summer being common, the unusually high heatwave has probably contributed to the high rate.

The animal rescue service stated that local bats are not dangerous and require shade and water until assistance arrives. Those rescued are being cared for and fostered in hopes that they grow to adulthood. Any donations and assistance are much appreciated by the Wildlife Rescue Team Malta as these past few months have been quite busy with such rescues of the tiny mammals.

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Photo Source: Wildlife Rescue Team Malta FB

5 COVID-19 cases registered with 0 recoveries

Jun 30 2021

Malta has registered 5 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours from 2,374 swab tests, while 0 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 Wednesday 30th June 2021, 664,859 vaccine doses were administered of which 358,168 were 1st doses. 320,604 people are currently fully vaccinated.

To date, Malta has registered 30,623 COVID-19 cases in total, of which: 30,158 have recovered, 420 died and 45 are still active.

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Photo Source: Charmaine Gauci FB

Malta aiming to vaccinate 85% of population as Delta variant raises concerns

Jun 30 2021

Following concerns raised by the more transmissible Delta variant, Malta’s health authorities raise the aim of vaccinating 70% of the population to 85%. The Delta variant, formerly known as the Indian variant, accounts for most of the latest COVID-19 spikes in several countries around the world as it is easily transmitted and far more dangerous. Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne announced the news and also revealed that 81.5% of the population is already vaccinated with at least one dose.

73% of the population is already fully vaccinated. The variant however resulted in the aim being readjusted in order to avoid hospitalisation, death and overall spread. The Delta variant is reported to infect two out of three persons, whereas the original COVID-19 virus infects two out of five and the UK variant two out of four.

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Photo Source: Chris Fearne FB