Update 1600 – News Portal Review
TVM says 32 new cases of Covid-19 have been identified in Malta over the past 24 hours after 2,196 swab tests were carried out. 664 cases are presently active.
MaltaToday reports cabinet ministers have confided about growing pressure from the American government over Malta’s fight against money laundering, in a bid to extract security concessions from the island-nation.
Times of Malta says that for those who have faced illness in the past, recovery may be only the first hoop they have to jump through as they find difficulty accessing services like life insurance and bank loans.
The Malta Independent reports an 86-year-old man passed away after having contracted the Covid-19 virus, the health authorities said on Sunday afternoon.
Newsbook says Malta’s contact-tracing app has seen over 45,000 downloads after only 2 days from release.
NET News reports all dealings involving the Zammit Tabona family should all be investigated and scrutinised so the public may be aware of the reasons and motivations underlying these decisions.
ONE News says Darren Brincat, a forty-year-old man from Qormi was remanded in custody after pleading not guilty of being involved in an armed robbery at a lotto booth. Brincat was also involved in a fight, injuring another person.
Update 1531 – Covid-19
Malta has registered another Covid-19 related death. The Ministry of Health, through a statement, informed that a Maltese 86-year-old man, passed away after testing positive for Covid-19 at the elderly home he resided at.
The man is the sixth registered death in the past 7 days, with the last 4 dying in the past 24 hours.
This marked the worst week for Malta in terms of deaths related to Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic.
The man, had underlying health conditions.
Meanwhile, in the daily update issued by the Department of Health, Malta registered an additional 32 new cases and 30 recoveries. The number of active cases stands at 664.
Since the start of the pandemic, Malta had 2731 cases of Covid-19, of which 2047 recovered.
Morning Briefing
Covid-19 Malta
Malta’s death tally from Covid-19 has reached the 20-mark, after three persons passed away throughout the past 24 hours.
The victims, include two women, aged 72 and 86 respectively, were both receiving treatment at Mater Dei Hospital’s intensive care unit.
A third patient, an 85-year-old man, died later in the day on Saturday. He suffered from underlying conditions, the ministry said when announcing his death. The three fatalities mean the country has now reported 20 coronavirus-linked deaths in total, with five this week alone.
65 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours, taking the country’s active cases to 663.
Meanwhile, according to a survey conducted by EMCS, for The Times of Malta, found that 36% of respondents feel children should return to school despite the resurgent numbers, while 47% opposed the idea. A majority of respondents, 57%, say they would get the anti-COVID-19 vaccine once it becomes available.
Court takes action after Safi riots
27 migrants have been remanded in custody following riots that took place at the Safi detention centre on Friday. Charges included intention of causing damage, of disobeying orders from the authorities, of setting fire to a mattress, and of escaping the detention centre.
While all migrants pleaded not guilty, the Court denied bail and ordered the migrants’ transfer from the Safi centre to Corradino Correctional Facility.
Meanwhile, security guard Darren Bonello, 30 f was charged with the attempted murder after one of the migrants was shot. The accused denied the charges, claiming self-defence and carrying out of duties for stopping the migrant from escaping. The man was released on bail.
Delia discusses tax bills and future plan with media
Nationalist Party leader Adrian Delia confirmed a €60,000 pending tax bill, insisting that this is down to a legal issue and not a financial one.
In a meeting held with members of the press, the incumbent PN leader presented the PN’s due diligence report into him and his leadership contender Bernard Grech.
“The reason that this amount is yet to be paid is because there is a legal situation, and not a financial issue. It would be a very sad day if someone who goes through a separation proceeding is unable to serve their country”, Delia said.
Questioned on his future relationship with the Party should Bernard Grech take his place, he said that he is ready to serve the party and the country in whichever role is allocated to him.“I will always be there for the Nationalist Party, now and in the future. I will always be ready to work for my country, now and in the future. My personal life did not benefit greatly from being a leader, but I will continue to give my all for the party.”
