Live Updates Malta-24 – News Briefing – Saturday 13th June 2020
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Updated 1235 – One new case, one recovery
This afternoon’s daily update by the Ministry of Health left Malta’s active cases at 36 with one new case and one recovery.
The Health authorities said that today’s new case was isolated. All the tests carried out in relation to contact tracing of yesterday’s cases resulted negative. 1,044 tests have taken place yesterday, taking this tally to beyond 80000
Updated 0900 – Newspaper Review
The Independent carries an interview with Economy Minister Silvio Schembri during which he expressed confidence that Air Malta will be able to operate flights to the 19 airports opening from July even after the dismissal of half of its pilots.
The Times quotes police statistics which show that traffic accidents have gone down by more than half between March and May, compared with the same period last year. Road fatalities, however, have increased from four to six.
L-Orizzont speaks to Philip Fenech from the Chamber of SMEs who said that activity in bars is picking up since establishments returned to business. He said that restaurants, too, are being frequented by locals.
In-Nazzjon reports that the Nationalist Party is discussing amendments to its statute as part of its restructuring process. Louis Galea, who was appointed to lead the reform, described this as an historic moment for the party.
L-Orizzont says that today is the deadline for the two sides of the House of Representatives to submit questions for nominated Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà. The grilling in a parliamentary committee is the last phase of the appointment process.
The Independent quotes the Federation of English Language Organisations which said that schools will operate at a financial loss when they reopen in two weeks and urged the government to support the industry.
In-Nazzjon says that the PN appointed a seven-member Commission for Candidates that will be tasked with researching different social fields to identify potential electoral candidates to stand on the party’s ticket.
The Times quotes the head of Film Grain Foundation, an NGO which organises the Valletta Film Festival, who expressed disappointment at the announcement of an open-air cinema by the Valletta Cultural Agency after his foundation has had to cancel its event.
Visits to an elderly people’s home have been stopped again after a 98-year old resident was diagnosed with Coronavirus, the Ministry of Health said yesterday afternoon. This case was identified at the Bormla home fore the elderly, during routine swabbing taking place at such institutions. This is one of five cases reported yesterday.
The woman has been transferred to St Thomas Hospital, while another woman who was sharing the room with her has been placed under quarantine. As a precaution all residents and staff of this nursing home have been tested and are awaiting the results.
For the second day running, Malta added five new coronavirus cases from 1121 tests.
There were no recoveries, meaning active cases have now gone up to 36, a third of which in the past three days. Health authorities said that one person had been admitted to ITU.
In all, a total of 645 persons have been infected so far.
