Persons living with vulnerable persons or over 65 year olds can apply for an exemption to feed animals. With regards to relatives living with these persons they should ideally isolate themselves but it is understandable that in certain cases they will be able to shop for food and medicines. However, Prof Gauci insisted that to truly safeguard the elderly and vulnerable persons, those living with them should limit their interactions as much as possible.
Update 1233
Five new individuals tested positive
Five new individuals have tested positive yesterday, after 432 swabs were carried out.
In her daily update, Prof Charmaine Gauci explained that only one case is related to travel while four cases reflect internal transmission. One patient, a 60 year old woman, has been admitted to ITU.
4,662 swabs were taken so far.
The travel-related case related to a Maltese UK-based man who returned to Malta earlier in March. He had immediately self-quarantined.
Of the four local cases, these include a Maltese man who was identified through contact tracing since he worked with one previously identified Covid-infected patient. Another man, also 32 year old, was identified through screening taking place at Mater Dei prior to being admitted to an operation.
Another person, of Indian nationality, 30, is a health care worker and is related to previous cases. In another case, concerning a Gambian man, the Authorities have so far not identified any link to previous cases.
Prof Gauci repeated the rationale behind the new measures announced yesterday by Deputy PM Chris Fearne insisting that vulnerable persons should only leave their home for medical requirements.
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No ordinary Friday morning for over 118,000 people in Malta and Gozo, as the spreading of the coronavirus pandemic in Malta signifies the last 24 hours of relative freedom until the situation improves.
Deputy PM and Health Minister Chris Fearne announced yesterday two new measures to improve social distancing following the recent increase in cases. The authorities have so far tested 134 patients as positive to the virus.
The first and strongest measure so far involves a lockdown for persons of over 65 years, as well as younger persons with chronic diseases, such as insulin-dependent diabetics, persons making use of biological medicines, persons who have been on chemotherapy in the past six months, persons who suffer from immunosuppression, pregnant women, people with respiratory complications and others who will be identified through a further communication by government. This measure comes into force from tomorrow morning. The only exception will cover medical necessities. Persons living with these persons will need to isolate themselves too.
The second decision gives the Police authority to ask people not to gather in groups larger than five. This decision was taken since despite the ban of organised events, were still gathering in public spaces, with all the risks that this entails. Meanwhile, the Police Force said yesterday evening that it had carried out in excess of 4,230 inspections related to quarantine, dishing out 33 fines.
Chris Fearne re-iterated the earlier message by Prof Gauci that the fact that low number of new cases were registered yesterday, should not put our minds as rest.
