164 new Covid-19 cases have been recorded in the past 24-hours, health authorities said. There were also 165 recoveries and 2 deaths, meaning that there are now 2,398 active cases in Malta and Gozo. The number of swabs taken over this period was 2,873.

Health authorities advised that during the last 24 hours 2 patients have died while being positive for Covid-19. An 84-year old man passed away at Karin Grech Hospital and an 82-year old woman passed away at Mater Dei Hospital.

Speaking during her weekly update, Superintendent of Public Health Prof Charmaine Gauci said that there are currently 71 active cases from the total in Gozo, up by 2 on last week, with 4 patients recovering in the Gozo General Hospital, down from 8 last week.

There are 157 patients recovering in hospitals in Malta and Gozo, down from 166 last week.

In Malta; At Mater Dei, 17 are in ITU, 10 in IDU and 48 in other wards, 8 are in Boffa, 11 in St Thomas, 7 in Karin Grech, 15 at Mount Carmel and 39 at the Good Samaritan Long-Term Care Facility.

Prof Gauci said said that the majority of reported cases in the past week were in the age range of 25-34, the same as last week. The seven-day moving average of cases per day was now 151, up from 141 last week.

She said that there were 20 cases reported in schools. Prof Gauci explained that most of the cases related to children were from attending football nurseries.

Prof Gauci said that Malta has increased its testing for genetic sequencing, with the number of positive cases of the UK variant having more than doubled in a week, from 15 to 38.

She stressed the importance of adhering to the health measures in place, such as mask wearing, social distancing and avoid gatherings, in order to have reduced transmission of the virus.

46,344 vaccine doses had been administered till yesterday – Thursday. Health authorities said that of these 13,820 were second doses.

The total number of cases are now up to 19,497. There have been 16,811 recoveries and 288 deaths. 648,516 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. As of week 5 it shows that the number of cases recorded for Malta is at 18,813 and the number of deaths showing is 282. The 14-day cumulative number of Covid-19 cases per 100,000 is now 397.72. Malta is currently in 9th position in the EU/EEA and UK. Portugal is at the top with 1190.09.

The ECDC said that the above data are collected between Monday and Wednesday for the proceeding week.

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 deceased, 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: 164 new Covid-19 cases, 71 active cases in Gozo, with 4 in hospital