Coronavirus

Novartis steps up coronavirus fight as part of new collaboration

Several big pharmaceutical companies have joined forces with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to scale up solutions and support health systems in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Basel-based pharmaceutical…

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EasyJet grounds its entire fleet

Britain’s biggest airline by passenger numbers, easyJet, has grounded its entire fleet of 344 aircraft. The Luton-based airline says its last flight operated on Sunday 29 March and there will…

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Large increase in new confirmed cases in Cyprus

The Cypriot Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou on Sunday said the large increase in new confirmed cases of Covid-19 was of particular concern. In a written statement shortly after ministry…

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Pressure in the UK to accelerate the supply of protective equipment to vulnerable medical staff

The deaths of the first British doctors from Covid-19 have intensified pressure on ministers to accelerate the supply of protective equipment and address growing fears among frontline staff that they risk catching…

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Hungary introduces jail terms for spreading coronavirus misinformation

Hungary is set to pass a new law on coronavirus that includes jail terms for spreading misinformation as critics warn that the nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbán could be given…

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Japan to ban travellers U.S., China, Europe

Japan will step up its efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus by banning the entry of foreign citizens traveling from the United States, China, South Korea and most of…

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Moscow tightens coronavirus rules

Moscow authorities will on Monday impose tighter restrictions on residents in an attempt to contain the spread of the new coronavirus, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said. Muscovites will only be allowed…

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Cases of coronavirus in Libya increase amid fears that it could ‘overwhelm’ the country

Libya confirmed five more cases of the coronavirus bringing the total to eight. Many observers are fearing the worst after the first coronavirus case was recorded in Libya on March…

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Tightening of measures for people entering Italy

Italian authorities have tightened the rules for anyone entering the country. These will include quarantine and self-certification on where it will be spent for all those who enter Italy. The…

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Australia limits public gatherings to only two people

Australian officials will use fines and the threat of jail to enforce a new rule limiting public gatherings to two people, as the country’s coronavirus infection rate slowed but the…

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China sees drop in new coronavirus cases, none in Hubei

Mainland China reported a drop in new coronavirus cases for the fourth consecutive day on Sunday, as Beijing seeks to stamp out the risk of a second wave of infections…

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Trump expects US death rate to peak ‘in two weeks’ amid warning it could kill 200,000

Donald Trump has said coronavirus deaths in the US are expected to peak in two weeks - as his top scientific adviser warned the outbreak could kill up to 200,000…

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Covid-19 Bulletin Malta – Monday 30th March 2020

Update 2101 This evening Government sought Parliamentary approval authorising it to secure a 2 billion euro loan required to provide the necessary assistance related to the health and economic impact…

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Infant under one year becomes youngest Covid19 victim

An infant who tested positive for the coronavirus has died in Chicago, USA, Illinois authorities announced. It was the first known death of a child younger than a year old…

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A collective individual effort as a tribute to Malta’s heroes

Members of St Paul Metropolitan Orchestra and choir ‘came together’ during a stay at home period to play the National Anthem in tribute to healthcare workers on the frontline of…

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US – Feels like we are working in Chernobyl – Doctors write their wills amidst Covid19 fears

Doctors the world over take an oath to fight against illness and help to make their patients get better; they fight death every day, hands on. But never has this…

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Don’t Stop Me Now … Covid-19 ward doctor performance after shift-end in Varese hospital

Christian Mongiardi, a young doctor in service at the Circolo Hospital in Varese, Lombardy, performed a number of Queen songs, including "Don't Stop Me Now while sitting down at the…

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Imagine all the people living life in peace…

One of the enduring images of the coronavirus was captured in Israel on Wednesday, as a camera caught the remarkable sight of two emergency workers — one a Jew, the…

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Qatar Airways to ask for state finance as its running out of cash

The Middle East Eye reports that Qatar Airways to ask for state finance as its running out of cash. "We have received many requests from governments all over the world,…

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Bolsonaro threatens he will sack health minister if he criticizes his approach to Covid19

Jair Bolsonaro has reportedly told his health minister he will sack him if he dares criticise his handling of the coronavirus crisis. According to a report in the Estado de…

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Italy reports second straight decline in number of deaths

Italy reported a second straight daily decline in the number of deaths from coronavirus, offering hope that stern measures the government has implemented over the last three weeks to combat…

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Lack of testing in Eastern Europe deflating ‘numbers’ of crisis

On the face of it, the map of Europe’s struggle with coronavirus suggests the prospects for the eastern half of the continent are much less grim than for the western…

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Finance Minister of German state of Hesse found dead on high-speed train line

The body of a man identified as Thomas Schäfer, the finance minister of the German state of Hesse, was found on a high-speed train line in the town of Hochheim…

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UK’s death toll from coronavirus increases to 1,228

The UK death toll from coronavirus has increased by 209 people in the last 24 hours bringing the total number of deaths in the UK to 1,228 so far. The…

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Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau recovers from Coronavirus

Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau, the wife of Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, has recovered from the novel coronavirus, she said Saturday. "I am feeling so much better and have received the all clear…

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Spain to introduce stricter measures as country records 847 new Coronavirus deaths

According to official figures released on Sunday by the Spanish Health Ministry, a total of 6,528 people in the country have now died from the coronavirus, with 838 new deaths…

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Pope Francis calls for immediate global ceasefire

In words following the recitation of the Marian Prayer on Sunday, Pope Francis highlighted an appeal launched by the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres this week calling…

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Coronavirus has now spread to dozens of the 47 countries of the WHO Africa region

Coronavirus has now spread to dozens of the 47 countries of the WHO Africa region, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Saturday. Africa News, on Saturday reported that…

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EU to revise blueprint for 2021-2027 budget

The European Commission will propose changes to its blueprint for the EU's 2021-2027 budget to address the coronavirus crisis, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement on…

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Art masterpieces revisited in times of isolation

The Internet is absolutely buzzing with self isolation-inspired creativity – and now it seems the latest trend is recreating famous artwork. Classic FM reports that people are wisely spending their time indoors…

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Trump retracts decision of calling for a quarantine for Covid-19 hotspots

President Donald Trump retracted the decision of calling for a quarantine for coronavirus hotspots in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. He added that a “strong Travel Advisory” be issued…

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The walk of hope

Why does the picture of a frail old man walking in the rain speak to us so profoundly at a moment like this? Of course, it matters that the man…

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Foreign cars seized in Brussels as drivers ‘violated lockdown measures’

In Brussels, the police seized several vehicles because their drivers did not respect Belgium’s measures to contain the further spread of the new coronavirus (Covid-19). The Brussels North police zone,…

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Covid-19 Bulletin Malta – Sunday 29th March 2020

Updated 1232 Two new cases from a record 585 swabs Two new cases were identified from a record number of 585 swabs taken. Health Superintendent Prof Gauci re-iterated the fact…

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Albania sends 30 doctors and nurses to Italy

Albania has sent 30 doctors and nurses to Italy, the worst-hit country in Europe amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Albanian Prime minister announced on Saturday. The Albanian medical team was…

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Von Der Leyen not excluding any options for EU’s economic recovery

The European Council tasked the Eurogroup to come up with proposals within the next weeks. The Commission will participate in these discussions and stands ready to assist, if supported by…

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British warned not to be complacent about coronavirus as death toll from Coronavirus reaches 1,019

The death toll from coronavirus in the UK has risen to 1,019, up from 759 the day before, the Department for Health has said. A total of 120,776 people have…

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Spain’s government ordered all non-essential workers to stay home for two weeks

The Spanish government has tightened up its national lockdown, ordering all non-essential workers to stay at home for the next two weeks in a bid to halt the spread of…

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Legal notice on protection of vulnerable persons in Malta published

Full Text - In exercise of the powers conferred by article 27(c) of the Public Health Act, the Superintendent of Public Health has made the following order:- The title of…

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In four weeks, over 10,000 died with the Coronavirus in Italy

In Italy, 92,472 people contracted the Sars-CoV-2 virus (5,974 more people than yesterday, for a growth of 6.91%). Of these, 10,023 died (+889, + 9.73%) and 12,384 healed (+1,434). Currently…

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Photo Story: Silesian University of Technology in Poland produces protective mask

A worker of Silesian University of Technology in the production of a protective masks by 3D printing at the Silesian University of Technology in Zabrze, southern Poland. Reports state…

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Photo Story: Coping with coronavirus in Nepal

A policeman uses a six-feet long metal clamp to arrest a person who violated curfew amid a lockdown in Kathmandu, Nepal, 28 March 2020. The government of Nepal imposed a…

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Malta is on the right track and an example to follow – Dr Hans Henri P Kluge – WHO regional director

In a tweet Dr Hans Henri P Kluge, the WHO Regional Director for Europe congratulated Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne for the public health measures taken adding that Malta…

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MSF steps up COVID-19 response with activities in Spain

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is stepping up our response to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic by starting medical, logistical and strategic support activities in Spain. MSF will be leveraging our experience…

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Fears for indigenous tribes after doctor in Amazon tests positive

There are fears remote indigenous communities could be decimated by the coronavirus after a doctor working with an Amazon tribe was confirmed to have the disease. The doctor had…

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Virgin Atlantic to seek bailout in coming days

Virgin Atlantic is expected to ask for a government bailout worth hundreds of millions of pounds in the coming days, the BBC understands. Requests for state aid are also expected…

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Photo Story: Altruism in time of crisis

A basket of home sewn masks made by Darcie Nuttall, (R) who shares a drink with a friend, is available for those in need to collect from her home in…

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Chile government negotiates bill-paying delay for poor

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera announced on Friday that low-income families will be able to delay household debt payments without the fear of having utilities cut off in a bid to…

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Albanians will need a permit to leave the house

Albanians will need a permit to leave the house to get necessities as part of stricter measures to contain the outbreak there. Permission can be obtained by app or text…

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Morocco to spend $200 million to brace health system for coronavirus

Morocco will spend an initial 2 billion dirhams ($200 million) to help its health system cope with the coronavirus outbreak, the finance ministry said on Friday as the number of…

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British retailers and manufacturers in ‘wartime effort’ to fight Covid-19

British industry has thrown its weight behind the fight against Covid-19 in a wartime-style effort to churn out protective masks, hand sanitiser and medical ventilators. While most retailers have been forced to shut…

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Merkel thanks Germans, shutdown to continue until at least April 20

Germans have been largely complying with rules to prevent the spread of coronavirus, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday, as confirmed cases in the country continued to rise and her…

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Photo Story: A helping hand in the war against coronavirus

The founder of UNIC-3D, Nicolas Usuwiel wears and shows a protective mask made for the medical profession in Brussels, Belgium, 27 March 2020. Nicolas Usuwiel has completely stopped all his…

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Uncertainty in the UK on what would happen if Johnson incapacitated

What would happen if British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s case of coronavirus - so far he has “mild symptoms” - were to become more serious or even incapacitate him and…

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Iran reports 139 new coronavirus deaths

Iran reports 139 new coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the Islamic republic’s total death toll to 2,517. Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said on state TV that…

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Over 80 UN staff members around world infected

The United Nations says 86 staff members around the world have reported cases of COVID-19. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said most of the infected staff members are in Europe, but…

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Fears of new wave of infections in the south of Italy

There is fear in Italy fear that the virus is silently spreading in the country’s south. As the dead in Italy keep piling up, virologists warn that the actual number…

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