Three week isolation ordered for people with monkeypox

Jun 3 2022

Superintendent for Public Health Charmaine Gauci has issued new directives requiring people infected with monkeypox to isolate at home for 21 days.

The superintendent also specified that people with symptoms must also quarantine and seek medical advise, as cases of the virus increase across Europe.

Malta still has only one confirmed case of the virus, with the 38-year-old male patient having recently been abroad in a country hit by the outbreak. The mandatory 21 day isolation starts from the day the swab test is carried out.

Times of Malta was informed by Gauci that close contacts are not required to isolate as long as they do not show symptoms. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, swollen glands, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and a rash that breaks out within one to three days.

A sample is taken from the rash lesions and sent to laboratories to test if it is monkeypox. The disease is also a statutory notifiable one in Malta, meaning that doctors are obliged to inform public health officials if they suspect or confirm a case.

The WHO says more than 550 monkeypox cases have been confirmed in 30 countries outside West African nations where it is endemic. The EMA is also in talks to extend the smallpox vaccine for monkeypox as it has been previously used.

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UK council to pay smokers £400 to quit smoking cigarettes

Jun 3 2022

A new UK pilot scheme has been proposed to pay smokers to quit lighting up cigarettes and abandon the habit for good.

After smoking rates stopped declining, with more than 10% of a council’s residents, including pregnant women, still smoking, Cheshire East Council took matters into their own hands.

The pilot will see people paid £200, with this doubled £400 for pregnant women. The council stated that robust evidence shows that financial incentive schemes are effective to help people quit.

The incentive could take on a national scope, and could inspire other countries to try it out…including Malta. A 2021 study by the European Commission found that Maltese smokers are among the most likely from Europeans to light up every day.

The survey found that 97% of smokers in Malta smoke at least once a day, making it the second-highest rate in Europe. The EU average is 67%, with Maltese cigarette smokers smoking through 14 a day.

On the other hand, two-thirds of Maltese (62%) claimed they have never smoked. 17% of Maltese who used to smoke they have abandoned the habit. Maybe a financial incentive could push this further.

#MaltaDaily

Prime Minister awards Emma Muscat and Kurt Calleja for their Maltese music contributions

Jun 3 2022

Prime Minister Robert Abela welcomed local singer and song-writer stars Emma Muscat and Kurt Calleja at the Auberge de Castille.

Abela awarded the two singers for being exemplary Maltese talent and, most importantly, for their contributions to Maltese music. The two were recent winners in prestigious local competitions, with Calleja winning Mużika Mużika and Muscat the Maltese Eurovision final.

Calleja rose to the top of the competition all about songs in Maltese with his ballad ‘Bla Tarf’. With a crowd singing along with Calleja, the win was deemed very well deserved by the general public.

On her part, Emma Muscat has been a rising star both locally and internationally. She went on to represent our island in Turin, but failed to make it to the finale of the competition.

In comments following the semi-final, Muscat said she was very proud of her performance but exclaimed she did not expect to be left out of the final. Still, she thanked all her fans for support and raised excitement for upcoming album ‘I am Emma.’

#MaltaDaily

Malta gets its own mural in prestigious Shoreditch, London

Jun 3 2022

A stunning image of Malta’s sister island Gozo has been set up to capture the attention of people in the heart of Shoreditch, London.

The snapshot was shared to the Malta Tourism Authority’s social media, as the island continues to recuperate from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Malta is a well-known tourist favourite spot, especially with lovers of the summer atmosphere, pristine beaches and even a nightlife to accompany the wanderlust. And Shoreditch itself is very popular for graffiti murals as well as many luxurious brands promoting their brands with the wall burns and tags.

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A post shared by Malta Tourism Authority (@maltatourismauthority)

And it does seem that the local tourism authority’s promotion is working as the numbers of incoming visitors soared this April. According to the NSO, around 195,000 tourists headed to the island.

This is around 19 times the number of people than the same period last year. They are still below pandemic levels as the world still reels from the virus’ setbacks. Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo had even stated in early April that 80% of the island’s pre-pandemic routes have been recovered, indicating a positive sign for the near future.

#MaltaDaily