The Malta Medical Association has accused the Prime Minister of being “in denial” of the gravity of the Covid-19 situation, “while once again Tourism Ministry promotes high risk mass events against medical advice.”

In a statement on Tuesday, the Association slammed the Government’s decision to promote mass events in Valletta for the Christmas period, including offering free parking in the city over certain weekends in order to encourage shoppers etc for Black Friday and other initiatives.

MAM condemned the attitude of the Prime Minister and Minister Julia Farrugia who “deliberately ignore scientific advice and play the populism card in the thick of an epidemic, while death and disease from Covid are reaching record heights.”

“It appears that for Minister Farruiga the July parties were the test tube, and Christmas is going to be real thing in fomenting an unprecedented epidemic,” the Association said. “It is no wonder that `fake’ enforcement has been taken away from the police and put under her responsibility.”

The Association also highlighted the increasing tally of serious illness and deaths from Covid. There were 3 more deaths announced yesterday bringing the total number to 81. “Furthermore there are 80 very seriously ill patients at Mater Dei with Covid (excluding the 3 smaller hospitals) 12 of which are in intensive care,” it added.

It stated that “this means that 3 medical wards are now caring only for Covid patients putting great strain all other ward which have to continue to care for all other illnesses.”
“The daily 7 day average is now at 137 per day, with 7283 total cases. Based on the recorded 1.5% fatality at least another 35 deaths as expected to occur by the end of the month.” The Association went on to warn that “despite these deaths, the worst is still to come and if the daily average remains above hundred the healthcare system may soon collapse.”

The Association noted that opinion polls show a majority of Maltese are against a lockdown. “Naturally most are fed up and want a normal life however this is exactly what the virus needs and that is exactly why the numbers are remaining in the hundreds.”

“While doctors and other healthcare workers have to risk their own health on a daily basis, the prime minister has ruled out any form of lockdown, while Minister Julia Farrugia now has new mechanisms in place to ask the whole Maltese population to ignore the advice of the Health Minister and Prof. Gauci, and go out and have fun during Christmas.”

The MAM concluded by saying that, “this is highly irresponsible, and puts the lives of many patients and healthcare staff unnecessarily at risk. COVID-19 will not kill Christmas but will kill more vulnerable Maltese people.”

Top photo: DOI/Pierre Sammut and below graph from MAM

 

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