There was just 1 new Covid-19 case recorded in the past 24-hours from 2,017 swab tests – making a 0.05% positivity rate. There were 10 recoveries and no new deaths registered.
Superintendent of Public Health Prof Charmaine Gauci, in her weekly update, said that in Gozo there are 3 patients recovering in hospital, up from 2 last week. A confirmation on the number of cases in Gozo will be added soonest.
There are currently 33 people in Hospital. In Mater Dei, there are 4 patients in ITU (same) 7 in IDU (up 1) with a further 6 patients across other wards of the hospital (down 4). The remaining 13 patients are in Boffa Hospital
Prof Gauci said the seven-day moving average of cases per day was now 6, down from 20 last week. The positivity rate is 0.3, down from 1.1 last week.
She advised that the average age of most new cases in the last week was 20-24. The average age is 37.7 – both numbers are the same as last week.
Imported made up the largest number of cases over the last week, with 23 followed by households with 20, social gatherings 8, institutions 3 and workplaces – 3.
Prof Gauci said the there were cases of people having shown symptoms of the Covid-19 virus after they had arrived in Malta – even after presenting a certificate showing a negative test result.
Prof Gauci explained that the majority of cases are the UK variant. There are also 5 cases of the South African variant and 22 cases of the Brazilian. There are no cases of the Indian variant.
She went on to say that “Mass events do not have a place during a pandemic.” Prof Gauci was referring to the point that mass events, which includes religious feats, will remain banned.
Masks are to be worn in public places and this remains mandatory, she said. Anyone with symptoms are being encouraged to get tested. People develop symptoms within 14 days from being exposed to the virus. Dr Gauci explained that this is what is happening with tourists, and why mitigation measures have to remain in place.
Health authorities said that active cases are now down to 180 in Malta and Gozo.
The total number of cases are 30,474 and there have been 29,877 recoveries and 417 deaths.
893,092 swab tests have been taken since the start of the pandemic in Malta.
406,921 doses of the vaccine have been administered up until yesterday. Prof Gauci confirmed on Friday that 133,332 are now fully vaccinated, while 140,709 are partly vaccinated.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control [1] has advised that it will be reporting figures on a weekly basis – every Thursday. As of the 12th of May, it shows that the number of cases recorded for Malta is at 30,458 and the number of deaths showing is 417. The 14-day cumulative number of Covid-19 cases per 100,000 is now 52.28. Malta remains in 27th position in the EU/EEA. Cyprus is at the top with 797.63.
The ECDC said that the above data are collected between Monday and Wednesday for the proceeding week.
The Ministry of Health 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.