Malta’s COVID-19 r-factor drops to 0.46 as daily cases decrease

Apr 4 2021

The reproduction number of the virus refers to how many people get infected by COVID-19 as transmitted by another person. Countries all over the world have been trying to get the number down to 1 or lower – meaning that one person would transmit the virus to only one other person. Malta currently stands at 0.46, statistician Vincent Marmara told The Malta Independent.

A total of 412 new cases were registered in the past week, contrasted with a 1,021 registering in the previous week. 412 cases in a week is a significant improvement considering previous weeks seeing a similar number registered as daily cases. Deaths have also decreased, with vaccination roll out going over 200,000 just yesterday. Despite this positive change in the COVID-19 situation in Malta, the public is still urged to follow health measures in order to mitigate the spread even further.

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Boris Johnson’s vaccine passport plan faces political uproar

Apr 4 2021

Trials for vaccine passports may start in UK as soon as next month with the main focus being put on theatres and stadiums. Passports may then be used in pubs, restaurants, etc. once this trial run is carried out and proven successful. Pilot schemes are set to begin after work is completed on an updated version of the NHS COVID-19 app which allows users to prove they have received the jab.

The decision however seemed to raise a political uproar as 72 MPS issued a joint statement to brand the passports a divisive and discriminatory. If the scheme requires legislation for approval, this may affect the scheme’s timeline and work in unforeseeable ways. Lifting all restrictions by as soon as 21st of June may thus be dependent upon the functioning passport programme.

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Companies may refuse to hire unvaccinated staff

Apr 4 2021

With the advent of COVID-19 vaccination passports, companies may be able to refuse to hire employees who have not had the vaccine. Many health ministries and governments globally think that the passport scheme could be essential in reopening venues. Ministers were reportedly ‘resigned’ to the fact that they would not legally be able to stop companies from demanding evidence of vaccination.

Vaccination requirements are already being allegedly drafted into contracts with some businesses claiming that staff must be vaccinated against the virus in order to be able to work. Despite this not being an obligation for private employers, they may be expected to track the test status and safety of their workers to ensure the safety of other staff.

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Malta among highest ranking EU member in healthy life expectancy

Apr 4 2021

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health Chris Fearne took to Facebook to express his pride in the Maltese Health System as Malta scores the highest in healthy life expectancy in the EU. Healthy life years refers to ‘the number of years that a person is expected to live without an activity limitation (disability).’

Posted by Chris Fearne on Saturday, 3 April 2021

The life years for women in EU seem to be highest in Malta among EU countries, with an average age of 73.4 years, followed by Sweden and Ireland. For men, Malta only follows Sweden at second place with 71.9, with Norway in third place. Life expectancy for women in the EU was on average 5.5 years longer than that for men.

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