36 new Covid-19 cases have been recorded by health authorities in the past 24-hours, with 52 recoveries.

2,445 swab tests were taken during this time period, with 166,348 having been taken since the start.

There are now 682 active cases, with 1,546 cases in total. 854 have recovered and there have now been 10 deaths.

Superintendent of Public Health Prof Charmaine Gauci, in her weekly update on the Covid-19 situation, explained that 3 patients are at ITU, in a critical, but stable condition, 4 patients are in the IDU at Mater Die, while a further 3 are in other specially set up wards at the same hospital. 17 patients are at Boffa and 12 at St Thomas.

She confirmed that bars can only serve alcohol to people seated and with food. No standing events are being allowed.

She said that over the past week, the average age of the patients is 38, and once again appealed to the public to practice social distancing, hand hygiene and the wearing of masks. Prof Gauci also reminded the public to call 111 if they experiencing symptoms.

Prof Gauci has said travellers from another 3 countries will now have to have mandatory tests Covid19 tests , and be able to provide the test result. This comes into effect as of midnight tonight. The 3 countries are Bulgaria, Romania and Spain.

As of today’s date, not including today’s new cases, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has said that for Malta, the 14-day cumulative number of Covid-19 cases per 100,000 is 114.3 It is showing the total number of cases as 1,510.

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.”

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.

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