Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine highly effective against COVID-19 variants

May 11 2021

Two new studies based on the Pfizer vaccines used in Qatar and Israel have issued results that show that the pharmaceutical company’s vaccine is highly effective against dangerous variants. The vaccines are allegedly immensely powerful at preventing severe outcomes such as pneumonia and death caused by the UK and South African variant.

Infectious Disease Researcher Dr. Annelies Wilder Smith stated that ‘at this point in time we can confidently say that we can use this vaccine, even in the presence of circulating variants of concern.’ One of the new studies was based on more than 200,000 test subjects in areas where the variants were running rampant. Even though the vaccine is slightly less effective against the South African variant (at 72.1 to 75%), it still proved an immense aid to the battle against the pandemic.

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Photo Source: Financial Times

Malta to achieve herd immunity in coming weeks

May 11 2021

Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne announced that Malta could be reaching herd immunity in the coming weeks. He added that Malta will be calculating herd immunity at the point when 70% of the whole population has been vaccinated by at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. No specific date was given as to when herd immunity will be achieved as it is completely dependant on the vaccination process.

Fearne announced this following the news that vaccination will be open for over-16s to apply in the coming weeks. Malta currently has over 60% of the population vaccinated with at least one dose. 56% of over 30s have been vaccinated or registered. Swipe for information on how herd immunity works.

Herd immunity is achieved once the majority of a population becomes immune to an infectious disease and provides an indirect protection to those who are not immune. The larger the level of immunity, the larger the benefit and thus vaccination is crucial.

Should 80% of a population become immune to the virus, four out of every five people who come into contact with the disease would not become infected. However, if measures are removed and vaccination slows down, surges of infection will be noted before vaccination can reach everyone.

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Photo Source: CIDRAP, Chris Fearne FB

1094 persons fined for COVID-19 health measure breaches

May 11 2021

The past week saw 1,094 persons fined for breaching COVID-19 regulations. Covid19 Malta revealed on Facebook that 779 people were fined for not wearing their masks whilst 201 were found in groups larger than that permitted by the current regulations.

93 people were fined due to being in residences in larger than authorised numbers whilst 16 establishments were also fined for breaking their respective regulations. Another 5 people were found to be breaching quarantine rules.

Health authorities remind the public that following health measures is still crucial for mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the vaccine rollout having fulfilling its intended purpose.

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Photo Source: Malta Police Force FB, Covid19 Malta FB

Klassi Għalina actor Oliver Pace passes away

May 11 2021

This morning, Malta woke up to shocking news of the tragic death of local actor Oliver Pace.

Pace was a beloved figure in the local scene most famously known for his ‘Hopleaf’ character in the television series ‘Klassi Għalina’.

Manistax nemem ibni kif halejtna hapta u sapta😭😭kont mahbub Min kullhadd Oliver ❤️ mintix hatkun Minsi ibni xxxxxxxxx zom idejk fuqna Min hemm fuq qalbi xxxx strih fis sliem ibni

Posted by Philip Pace on Monday, May 10, 2021

Many took to Facebook to share a few words on Oliver, with his father Philip writing that Oliver will never be forgotten and to watch over them.