Lowest COVID positivity and death rate since March after spike

Aug 13 2022

Malta’s COVID-19 positivity rate has dropped down significantly to its lowest figure since March 2022.

According to EU data and ECDC weekly reports, the rate is at just 5.9%, making it also the lowest in Europe. The plummet follows a spike of over 40%, which was a record since the pandemic hit in 2020.

The positivity rate, which deals with number of infections detected from total number of tests conducted, dropped to 5% in March before starting to rise.

The spike was cut short earlier in July, easing the strain off of medical staff. Health authorities are carrying out around 1,000 tests daily, as the hospital admission rate also drops to 4.1 patients per 100,000.

The country’s death rate in terms of COVID-19 is also no longer the highest in the European zone, but still remains in the top few. In the week reviewed, the death rate stood at 42.6 deaths per 1 million people.

Malta has currently registered a total of 797 deaths, with over 113,000 cases. 111,708 of those recovered, with at least 1.33 million doses of the COVID vaccine administered. Around 470,000 are fully vaccinated (89.6% of population).

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No one injured as three balconies collapse in Marsaskala

Aug 13 2022

Thankfully, no one was injured in an incident which occurred in Triq iż-Żonqor, Marsaskala wherein three balconies collapsed onto the road.

Marsaskala mayor Mario Calleja took to social media and reported the incident to the police, with Civil Protection also getting involved on the case.

A police spokesperson revealed to TVM News that they received the report at around 2045hrs on Friday, explaining that a balcony collapsed and took down two other balconies beneath it.

A car bonnet was also damaged due to the debris. Enemalta was informed to ensure that there is no other potential hazards in the area, but people were still urged to avoid the area for safety.

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WATCH: Moviment Graffiti continue protest on Comino despite police presence

Aug 13 2022

Amassing around 100 activists, Moviment Graffiti and members of the public, returned to Comino on Saturday in protest against the hijacking of Blue Lagoon.

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The protesters were met with heavy police presence as the officers attempted to stop the protest. Protesters were even confronted by beachgoers complaining about the demonstration, to whom the activists said that they were exercising their rights.

Chanting the previously used slogan of “il-baħar, ix-xatt, Kemmuna ta’ kulħadd’ and waving placards, the activists expressed their frustration at the lack oof action by the authorities to address the highly commercialised state of Blue Lagoon.

The NGO organised boat trips from Ċirkewwa and Mġarr (Gozo) as it invited the public to the protest. This planning prompted the commercial operators to remove the deckchairs and umbrellas.

Today’s protest follows two open letters to ministers responsible for several aspects of the island management. The group clarified that the pressure will not die down as long as the situation does not change.

The main demands are: deckchairs and umbrellas should be only set up at the request of a person physically present von the spot; big boats disembarking hundreds of tourists should be prohibited; a limit of two small kiosks without music in Blue Lagoon; and a restriction on the type and amount of waste generated.

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5 reasons why you’re waking up tired – and what to do about it

Aug 13 2022

Are you doing your best to get the recommended 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night and still not feeling the refreshing benefits?

Well, one important factor at play could be a heightened state of ‘sleep inertia’, which impacts memory, mood, reaction time and alertness. Usually fading away after 15 to 60 minutes, some could experience it for hours on end.

This could impact everything from cognitive skills, job performance and even general well-being. Sleep specialists recommend checking that quality and quantity of sleep are kept in balance.

However, other factors around the actual sleeping could be affecting the overall necessity of sleep. Here are 5 possible factors impacting sleep:

Sedentary Lifestyle: Move about! Especially if you’re sitting at a desk all day!

Adults are given the recommendation of getting at least 150 minutes (two and a half hours) of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week! Finding some time in between work and other errands is immensely refreshing, both mentally and physically!

Dehydration: this is linked to decreased alertness and fatigue. This is crucial for scorching Maltese summers!

The Institute of Medicine recommends women consume 2.7 litres of fluids daily whereas men around 3.7 litres daily. This includes fluids and water rich foods such as fruits, vegetables and fruits.

Sleep Routine: Don’t expect to doze off whilst scrolling through Instagram. Your bed should be a designated area.

Keeping it dark, quiet and colder at night, whilst also making sure its reserved for sleep or sexual activity, is a sure way to mentally associate your bed with sleep and make it easier to doze off.

Inconsistency: Try to maintain a specific bed-time, especially if you work shifts or have nights out.

Keeping a routine on the weekends might sound difficult but all it takes is some pre-planning. If you’re already know that you’ll be going wild one night, make sure to adjust the rest of your activities accordingly so you don’t start your Monday like the Walking Dead.

Anxiety & Depression: Serious conditions can impact sleeping patterns. Seeking expert help should be a priority.

This also applies to any suspected sleeping disorders. Someone with sleep apnea might wake up 50 times or more throughout the night. Getting back into deep sleep is intensely difficult and thus seeking expert help might be in order.

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