Next available PCR test appointments from January 3, Health Ministry clarifies

Dec 28 2021

Health Authorities have clarified that the next available date for a state-held COVID-19 test will start from January 3 for asymptomatic people. For people who currently have COVID-19 symptoms, they will be given an appointment for a Rapid Antigen Test for the following day, with the next available day for a PCR in this case being January 2.

Malta Daily has also tried calling for a PCR test and confirmed that people are being given a 6-to-7 day wait for a swab test. With data showing that people are recovering from the Omicron variant faster and the UK being amongst other countries to reduce isolation periods to 7 days, this makes Malta’s current booking situation quite confusing especially people may have already recovered from their test.

Others have also made the argument that they cannot afford to have a test done privately or that it is unfair given the current situation. Currently, around 5,000 swabs are being held every single day, with demand increasing for appointments each day for PCR tests, rapid tests and molecular assay. With this taken into consideration, the Health Ministry is urging people to avoid calling 111 unnecessarily and undergo quarantine when making contact with positive persons.

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University students call for online examinations in light of COVID-19 surge & quarantines

Dec 28 2021

With Malta currently experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases and thousands of the island’s residents in quarantine, many organisations and entities have been facing logistical issues in relation to the matter, amongst them the students of the University of Malta.

The University students’ council KSU issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon stating that with a considerable amount of students currently in mandatory quarantine paired with a consistent rise in cases, the situation poses problems for the upcoming examination period. Currently, university policy states that if a student is in mandatory quarantine, the would have their first-sit postponed to September, which is an ‘unfair and illogical’ decision for students in their final year of studies, amongst others. This would mean that if students fail their first sit, they would be left without a second opportunity.

As a result of this, the council called for immediate action on the situation, stating that the only viable solution is for the upcoming January exam session to take place online where feasible ‘while taking the requirements of each unit into consideration.’

The council has stated that as of January 3, ‘all University staff should be back in office and KSU will continue to personally persist on the matter.’

What do you make of the situation?

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People are losing their minds over this hidden detail in the Beckham family Christmas photo

Dec 28 2021

For some, it’s a heart-warming family photo of one of the most beloved players in football history, but for the more eagle-eyed fans, the Beckham family photo is a hilarious meme and one of the main reasons we love David Beckham.

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A post shared by Victoria Beckham (@victoriabeckham)

The Christmas family photo was posted on Victoria Beckham’s Instagram account captioned “Christmas kisses from the Beckhams,” showing her and David with their children Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper Seven in front of the Christmas tree, but not everyone noticed the former Manchester United and England star posing on his tiptoes.

The football star may be posing in such a way to match the height of his sons Romeo and Brooklyn, aged 19 and 22 respectively, but the fans had a field day on both his and Posh Spice’s Instagram posts.

Did you spot the hidden detail?

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COVID-19 isolation period cut by half for asymptomatic patients in the US

Dec 28 2021

On Monday, health authorities in the United States announced that the recommended isolation period for asymptomatic COVID-19 patients has been cut by half.

This means that isolation was cut from 10 to five days, which allows people to return to their everyday lives sooner and consequently decreasing the strain on labour forces across the US. President Joe Biden stated that Americans should not panic in light of the recent surge in cases, warning that it could create further social disruption. He went on to state that while some US hospitals may become “overrun”, the are well-prepared it handle the latest surge of cases.

The isolation recommendations, issued by the CDC are non-binding but followed by businesses and policymakers across the United States. They go on to suggest five days of mask-wearing when around others. Such guidelines are reportedly backed by scientific thinking, which notes that most COVID-19 transmissions occur in the early stages of contract COVID-19. This refers to one or two days prior to the onset of symptoms and in two to three days after.

Should Malta cut its COVID-19 isolation period for asymptomatic patients by half?

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