193 new Covid-19 cases were recorded in the past 24-hours, health authorities said. There were also 143 recoveries and 1 death, taking the total number of active cases to 2,643 in Malta and Gozo. The number of swabs taken over this period was 3,602.

During her weekly update, Superintendent of Public Health Prof Charmaine Gauci explained that to date a total of 9,496 vaccines had been administered – 1.85% of the population. She said that this is expected to rise to 2.57% by Monday.

As from next week, Prof Gauci said that on the daily infographic of Covid figures, vaccination statistics will be included – this is published on the Health Ministry’s facebook page.

According to Our World in Data, Malta was second from the bottom with the number of vaccination doses administered per 100 people in the total population. However, data for Malta which is provided by the Government, was only available as at the 3rd of January.Prof Gauci said that an 89-year old woman passed away earlier today at Mater Dei Hospital, who tested positive for the virus on the 4th of January.

Out of the total number of active cases, there are 114 in Gozo – exactly the same number as last week – with 8 people receiving treatment in the Gozo General Hospital, down from 10 last week.

The average age of positive patients has been 39, with the majority of cases aged 25-34. Prof Gauci noted that it would appear that it is the younger generation raising the community infection. The seven-day moving average is 186.

In Mater Dei Hospital; 16 are in ITU , 7 in the IDU and 35 in other wards. 62 in The Good Samaritan, 10 in St Thomas, 9 at Boffa, 1 at Karin Grech and 3 at Mount Carmel.

The total number of cases are now up to 15,272. There have been 12,393 recoveries and 236 deaths, the Ministry said. 560,786 swab tests have been taken since the start of the pandemic in Malta.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has advised that it will be reporting figures on a weekly basis – every Thursday, however today’s figures have not yet been updated. 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.

Permalink: 193 new Covid-19 cases, 114 active cases in Gozo, 8 in hospital