Spain reintroduces curfews after COVID-19 spike among youth

Jul 13 2021

Regions across Spain are reintroducing curfews and restrictions on events following a spike in COVID-19 infections among young people. The Delta variant seems to be the culprit behind most of the new infections, with most of those who contracted the virus unvaccinated young people. Northern region Asturias banned indoor bar and restaurant operations on Monday, with Mediterranean coast regions Catalonia and Valencia limiting social gatherings to 10 people and restricting late night events.

Spain’s total two week infection load is up three times higher among under 30s than the average. The variable rose throughout the nation on Monday to 368 cases registered per 100,000 residents. Spain’s health emergency response coordinator Fernando Simón stated that despite patients aged under 30 not needing intensive care, the high number of cases was slowly pushing up hospitalisation rates.

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Photo Source: Schengen Visa

Francesco Rugeri offers aid to Italian youth quarantined in Malta

Jul 12 2021

Marsa FC’s newest president and entrepreneur Francesco Rugeri has taken it upon himself to offer aid to Italian students who are currently residing in quarantine in Malta. Rugeri, who also runs a chain of coffee shops, joined forces with a group of other Italians who offered to deliver food and drink to the youth currently stuck in quarantine in a Maltese hotel.

After being obliged to quarantine due to their friends testing positive for COVID-19, Rugeri was contacted by the parents of some of the students. The guardians expressed their concerns and worries in regards to their children, who were facing several difficulties. Rugeri took the opportunity to help the group of youth, making their stay in Malta under such circumstances easier until they are able to return home.

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Photo Source: Francesco Evbuilding

Malta reduced the rate of students leaving school early by half

Jul 12 2021

According to analysis done by Malta’s Central Bank, the rate of students who leave early from school has been reduced by half. This took place over an extended period of 15 years, that is between 2005 and 2020. Those who do leave school earlier than others were reported to find it difficult to find employment due to a lack of qualifications. These students still find work, but their employment is often effected according to the level of education reached. Despite this, the analysis showed how those who leave school early may still possess several skills which are useful on the workplace.

The analysis also revealed how the gross hourly earning for those with a tertiary education as 40% higher than those who reached an intermediate education and 65% higher than those with just a basic level of education. Between 2005 and 2020, an increase of 10.3% to 28.0% of students having tertiary education was noted. Around 7 out of 10 people who left education early were employed in 2020, making it the highest rate of employment for people of similar levels of education in the EU.

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Photo Source: Oleg Magni

Third vaccine jab for Israel’s for most vulnerable amidst Delta surge

Jul 12 2021

Israel began administering a third shot of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to patients with compromised immune systems. With cases rising in the country, those eligible for a third shot include those who have had heart, lung and kidney transplants as well as cancer patients. The health ministry stated that patients with immunosuppression do not develop the adequate antibody response after the normal two doses. The decision was further supported given the rising daily infection tally.

Israel had one of the fastest rollouts of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines in the world, succeeding in bringing daily cases down to single digits just last month. The Delta variant changed everything, as Israel had already fully vaccinated 85% of its adult population and restoring indoor dining and allowing large gatherings. The variant led to huge surges, prompting the booster dose to be administered.

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Photo Source: CNBC