27 new Covid-19 cases have been recorded in the past 24-hours from 1,883 swab tests – making a 1.43% positivity rate. There were also 30 recoveries, and 2 deaths recorded.

This is the lowest number of daily positive cases since the end of September last year.

During the last 24 hours, authorities said that 2 men, both aged 67, died at Mater Dei Hospital while Covid-19 positive.

Superintendent of Public Health Prof Charmaine Gauci, in her weekly update, said that in Gozo, there are currently 45 active cases, up 13 on last week, of these 1 patient is recovering in the Gozo General Hospital (same as last week) with none in ITU (same as last week).

There are 69 patients In Mater Dei, there are 9 patients in ITU (down from 15 last week) 8 in IDU (down 2) with a further 21 patients across other wards of the hospital (up 1). There are another 30 in different hospitals in Malta.

Prof Gauci said the seven-day moving average of cases per day was now 50, down from 55 last week. The seven-day moving average of PCR tests is 2.6%, which is the same as last week.

She advised that the average age of most new cases in the last week was 39.6 the average age at death is 83.3.

Households again made up the largest number of cases over the last week, with 101, this was followed by imported cases at 39.

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

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

Health authorities said that active cases are now at 583 in Malta and Gozo. The total number of cases stand at 29,860 and there have been 28,872 recoveries and 405 deaths.

842,208 swab tests have been taken since the start of the pandemic in Malta.

264,658 doses of the vaccine have been administered up until yesterday, of which 80,671 were fully vaccinated second doses, while 103,316 have now received a first dose. There were 5,386 doses administered in the last 24-hours – of which 2,532 were second doses.

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 15th April, it shows that the number of cases recorded for Malta is at 29,279 and the number of deaths showing is 402. The 14-day cumulative number of Covid-19 cases per 100,000 is now 140.51. Malta is currently in 26th position in the EU/EEA. Poland is at the top with 839.56.

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.

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