48 new Covid-19 cases have been recorded in the past 24-hours from 2,036 swab tests – making a 2.35% positivity rate. There were also 53 recoveries and no deaths recorded.

Superintendent of Public Health Prof Charmaine Gauci, in her weekly update, said that in Gozo, there are currently 32 active cases, the same as last week, of these 1 patient is recovering in the Gozo General Hospital (down from 4 last week) with none in ITU (down from 1 on last week).

In Mater Dei, there are 15 patients in ITU (up 1 on last week) 10 in IDU (static) with a further 20 patients across other wards of the hospital (down 22).

Prof Gauci said the seven-day moving average of cases per day was now 55, down from 68 last week. The seven-day moving average of PCR tests is 2.6%.

She advised that the average age of most new cases in the last week were between 20-24, the average age at death is 70.9.

Households again made up the largest number of cases over the last week, with 164, this was followed by social gatherings at 52. Both figures show hardly any change from last week.

Prof Gauci said that 75% of all cases identified were with the UK variant. She urged everyone to follow the preventative measures.

She also advised anyone over the age of 60 who has not received their vaccine appointment, to call 145.

Health authorities said that active cases are now at 549 in Malta and Gozo. The total number of cases stand at 29,511 and there have been 28,561 recoveries and 401 deaths.

828,497 swab tests have been taken since the start of the pandemic in Malta.

232,335 doses of the vaccine have been administered up until yesterday, of which 65,205 were fully vaccinated second doses, while 101,925 have now received the initial dose.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has advised that it will be reporting figures on a weekly basis – every Thursday. As of the 8th April, it shows that the number of cases recorded for Malta is at 29,279 and the number of deaths showing is 399. The 14-day cumulative number of Covid-19 cases per 100,000 is now 186.57. Malta is currently in 23rd position in the EU/EEA. Hungary is at the top with 1117.87

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.

Photo by Anthony Zammit

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