A record number of 184 new Covid-19 cases were recorded in the past 24-hours. There were also 82 recoveries and 1 death, taking the total number of active cases up to 2,322 in Malta and Gozo. The number of swabs taken over this period was 3,298.

Authorities said that today’s cases are “still being investigated.” From yesterday’s 245 cases; 49 were family members of previously known cases, 20 were contacts of positive work colleagues, 18 cases were from direct contacts with other positive cases, 15 cases from social gatherings from other positive cases. Details were not give for the other outstanding 143 sporadic cases.

The total number of cases are now up to 14,396. There have been 11,841 recoveries and 233 deaths, the Ministry said. 543,588 swab tests have been taken since the start of the pandemic in Malta.

Speaking during a political activity on Sunday morning, Health Minister Chris Fearne announced that the first batch of the Moderna vaccine will arrive in Malta this evening.

He remarked that “Malta will be the first country in Europe to receive this vaccine.”

Dr Fearne also stated that with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine, it means that “two thirds of the population will be inoculated by September,” thereby achieving “herd immunity” within the community.

Meanwhile, the Nadur Local Council has confirmed on a facebook post that contrary to what has been written on various social media, it is “committed to keep on safeguarding public health and will not organise any mass events for this Carnival.” Carnival activities in Gozo and Malta were due to take place next month.

It added that, “any carnival initiative we take will follow similar patterns we did in the past year since Covid-19 cases started in Malta.”

According to the Carnivaland website, the Malta Carnival 2021 has also been cancelled

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has advised that it will be reporting figures on a weekly basis – every Thursday. The latest figures as of week 53, show that the number of cases recorded for Malta is at 13,082 and the number of deaths showing is 220. The 14-day cumulative number of Covid-19 cases per 100,000 is 277.17 Malta is currently in 21st position in the EU/EEA and UK. Lithuania is at the top with 1199.28.

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.

The Ministry of Health, while offering its condolences to the relatives of the families who have passed away, called on the public to continue to follow the preventive measures so that we can protect the most vulnerable in our society – This includes wearing of masks, social distancing and hand hygiene.

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