Malta braces for another week of scorching heat

Jul 7 2021

Malta is set to experience another full week of just sweat-inducing heat and scorching sunlight. Starting yesterday, Sahara desert heat returned and made its way up towards our sunny little island, albeit with less intensity than the recent heat wave. Temperatures are still set to feel as hot as 36 degrees Celsius however, with UV hitting 11 and 10 sporadically throughout the week.

This might come as a bit of a relief following the seemingly unending heatwave which scorched our island just a few days ago. It will still be the perfect summer atmosphere however. And that comes with both beach-prepping excitement and health warnings reminding everyone to hydrate and avoid the sun’s worst hours. Stay safe and enjoy the beach!

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Photo Source: Malta Travel Guide

COVID deaths reduced by two arthritis drugs in new study

Jul 7 2021

It has been revealed that two arthritis drugs reduce the risk of death and the need for ventilators among hospitalised COVID-19 patients. Drugs tocilizumab and sarilumab were analyse in nearly 11,000 patients, with the results published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The World Health Organisation (WHO) was prompted by the new study to recommend the use of the medicines known as IL-6 inhibitors among patients with severe or critical COVID-19.

Among hospitalised patients, administering one of the drugs in addition to corticosteroids reduced death risk by 17%, compared to the use of the corticosteroids alone. For those not on ventilators, the risk of progressing to mechanical ventilation or mortality was reduced to 21%. The drugs are normally used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

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Photo Source: Conseil de l’Europe

Malta International Airport reports 74% drop in June passenger traffic

Jul 7 2021

Despite June welcoming 190,505 passengers by the end of the month as tourism restarted in Malta, a drop in passenger traffic was reported by Malta International Airport. The drop translates to 73.6% compared to June 2019, even though this statistic is still significantly better than the previous months in 2021. Italy, Germany, France, Poland and Spain were the top drivers of passenger traffic last month.

Spain made a very notable comeback as being one of MTA’s five most popular destinations following the resumption of flights to Valencia and Seville in June. UK ranked sixth among the airport’s top markets, despite placing Malta on its travel green list. A travel sentiment survey conducted by the European Travel Commission in May 2021 reported that Europeans were planning in summer preferred Southern European destinations, with the likes of Greece and Spain being on said list.

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Photo Source: Malta International Airport

San Anton School staff urged to get vaccinated before next scholastic year

Jul 7 2021

The staff and teachers at San Anton School have been informed that they need to be fully vaccinated from the beginning of the next scholastic year. Seen by Times of Malta, an email was sent to all staff members by school head Sandro Spiteri who claimed it is essential for all to have received their jabs fully. In a later statement however, it was clarified by the school that it did not mean to imply that the employment of staff hinged upon the vaccination.

Following the announcement by Chris Fearne that 12 to 15-year-olds could start receiving vaccine invitations, senior school students now had the possibility of being vaccinated as well. In reaction to the news, the Malta Union of Teachers insisted employers could not force their staff to be vaccinated. Malta did not make vaccination mandatory, even though other countries have done so for staff members. San Anton clarified that unvaccinated staff will not be impacted.

The Malta Union of Teachers stated today that ‘it is shameful to hear that this is the way that an employer is thanking educators for going out of their way to pursue with teaching and learning against all odds during a pandemic […] The MUT is ready to name and shame any employer who does not adhere with legislation and who uses threatening tactics with educators.’

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Photo Source: Dids, San Anton School FB