Be the first to comment!Covid-19: MAPHM calls for immediate swift and evidence-based actions
 Email item
|  Print item
|
|
Malta Association of Public Health Medicine has said in a statement “that it is alarmed at the high rate of new infections and admissions to hospital and ITU over the past 24 hours.”
The Association added, “last week we said that time will tell whether we need more measures. This time has arrived.”
“We call on the health authorities and government to take swift and evidence-based actions immediately.”
It said that over the past 24 hours, the fifth intensive care unit has been opened and is now practically full.
The Association warned that “this was the last available improvised intensive care unit on the island and there is no spare capacity to deal with more seriously ill patients who are getting younger and younger.”
The Association said that it “wholeheartedly endorses the statement issued by the Association of Anaesthesiologists of Malta who have described the alarming situation at Mater Dei Hospital today.”
It went on to say that “while it is still too early to judge the effectiveness of the new measures announced last week, this news is a loud and clear signal that we need to act with even greater resolve. Community transmission of the virus has reached new heights. 4 weeks ago, we had on average 110 new cases per day.”
Today we have over 500 new cases, ranking among the 5th highest rates of new infections in the world, it said.
“It is still too soon to rely on the vaccines to protect us. The number of young people who are currently seriously ill in our hospitals is a testament to this,” the Association said. “We need to protect ourselves with proven public health measures for some more time until we can rely on the vaccines.”
In the meantime, the Association appealed to the “good sense and responsibility of all. Protect yourselves and your loved ones by keeping to your own households only. Avoid crowds. Limit all non-essential activities to zero. Wear your mask properly, covering both the nose and the mouth. Use alcohol hand rub liberally. If you are feeling sick or you suspect you were a contact of someone with Covid-19, stay at home and request a swab test.”
