There were 33 new Covid-19 cases recorded in the past 24-hours from 1,804 swab tests – making a 1.82% positivity rate. There were also 38 recoveries, and 1 death registered.

Authorities said that in the last 24-hours a 93-year old woman has passed away while positive with Covid-19.

Superintendent of Public Health Prof Charmaine Gauci, in her weekly update, said that in Gozo there are currently 35 active cases, down 9 on last week, with none recovering in hospital.

In Mater Dei, there are 8 patients in ITU (down from 9 last week) 8 in IDU (same as last week) with a further 24 patients across other wards of the hospital (up 3). There are another 34 in different hospitals in Malta, (up 3).

Prof Gauci said the seven-day moving average of cases per day was now 38, down from 50 last week. The positivity rate is 2.1, down from 2.6 last week. There is now a plateau in cases, she said.

She advised that the average age of most new cases in the last week was 42, the average age at death was 70.3

Households again made up the largest number of cases over the last week, with 117, followed by workplaces – 72, institutions – 43, imported – 36, social gatherings – 26, educational – 2.

Prof Gauci said that 67% of all cases identified were with the UK variant, down from 75% last week. 4 South African variant cases were detected and 3 Brazilian

She again urged everyone to keep following the preventative measures.

She also advised anyone aged 40 and above can now apply for the vaccine and anyone over the age of 60 who hasn’t received the vaccine should ring 145.

Prof Gauci explained that by age groups: 85+ – 93% vaccinated, 80+ – 89% vaccinated, 70+ – 90% vaccinated, 60+ – 85% vaccinated and 50-59 – 58% vaccinated.

Health authorities said that active cases are now at 513 in Malta and Gozo. The total number of cases has now reached 30,129 and there have been 29,204 recoveries and 412 deaths.

855,090 swab tests have been taken since the start of the pandemic in Malta.

301,594 doses of the vaccine have been administered up until yesterday, of which 96,631 were second doses, while 108,332 are partly vaccinated. There were 6,007 doses administered in the last 24-hours.

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 30,026 and the number of deaths showing is 409. The 14-day cumulative number of Covid-19 cases per 100,000 is now 145.17. Malta is currently in 26th position in the EU/EEA. Cyprus is at the top with 962.38..

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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