48 new Covid-19 cases overnight, today’s cases are “still being investigated”

Health authorities said that 48 new Covid-19 cases have been recorded in the past 24-hours, with 7 recoveries. Today’s cases “are still being investigated,” some details of these should be provided by authorities tomorrow.

It explained that from yesterday’s 69 cases, 1 was linked to the Paceville cluster, 5 were family members of previously known cases, 4 were in direct contact with active cases, 3 were work colleagues of previously reported cases, 2 form part of the Mount Carmel cluster, 2 cases were related to the language school cluster and 9 cases are related to clusters from elderly homes. Details have not been provided for the remaining 43 cases.

There were 2,124 swab tests taken, making 161,057 since the start.

As of today’s date, not including today’s new cases, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and ^[1] Control has said that for Malta, the 14-day cumulative number of Covid-19 cases per 100,000 is 98.3. It is showing the total number of cases as 1,274.

The ECDC noted that, “the Covid-19 cases reported for Malta do not include positive migrant cases who have disembarked in Malta and have been quarantined upon arrival. Also that “on the 17th of August, in Malta, the total number of cases resulted in a lower case count compared to the previous day. This may be due to a revision in historical data.”

There are now 648 active cases, with 1,423 cases in total. 766 have recovered and there have been 9 deaths.

A series of new measures start from 8am tomorrow, including that no establishment can allow people who are standing; discos and nightclubs will be closed completely; Bars and clubs, including band clubs, will be closed.

In the event that these establishments serve food, only this part of the establishment may operate – with the limitation that only seated and food-ordering customers may be served and therefore a person will not be allowed to order just a drink.

Public Health Authorities said that anyone who needs to take a test should call 111 to set an appointment, even if they do not have any symptoms. It is to be noted that due to the large volume of calls, it can take some time to get through.

All swabbing centres are open every day, including the one in Gozo, however appointments must be made on the above number.