Updated 1235 – Covid-19 Malta
Malta has witnessed an increase in family clusters and cases at work places, Health Superintendent Prof Charmaine Gauci said today in her weekly briefing. 22 persons were infected at the place of work, excluding the 21 persons infected on the Marsa junction project.
Gauci also spoke about efforts being carried out to limit infections at old people’s homes, where 33 cases have been reported during this past week. She noted how the average age, which at the beginning of the Summer resurgence in cases was rather low, is slowly going up again, and now stands at 47.
In the past 24 hours, Malta reported 43 new cases of coronavirus and 30 new recoveries.
Malta ranks sixth in the EU in terms of the number of active virus cases per 100,000 people in the last 14 days.
Updated 0900 – Newspaper Review
The Independent quotes Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri who said that the outcomes of inquiries into prison deaths are being studied to prevent similar tragedies in the future, including suicide attempts.
The Times reports that human rights NGOs have been denied access to the Safi migrants centre for more than a month. Aditus director Neil Falzon said that authorities have not issued any formal explanation.
L-Orizzont says that the Covid-19 wage supplement scheme has disbursed some €160 million to 80,000 employees by the end of July. The government expects the economy to start recovering from next year.
In-Nazzjon reports on the death of an 80-year-old man from Covid-19, the 15th casualty from the disease. The patient was registered positive on Friday before being admitted to hospital on Wednesday, dying the following day.
The Times says that Yorgen Fenech’s lawyers have filed an application in the criminal court over Facebook posts by the lawyer representing the Caruana Galizia family, Jason Azzopardi. Fenech says that the messages prejudice his right to the presumption of innocence.
The Independent carries a reaction by Environment Minister Aaron Farrugia to reports of dead animals being dumped in grey garbage bags. Farrugia said that the government’s challenge is to educate people who disregard the rules.
In-Nazzjon says that the government does not have a ‘concrete plan’ for the return to school. Education Minister Owen Bonnici told the paper that discussions with stakeholders, including teachers’ unions, are still ongoing.
The Independent publishes a statement by the Association of Parents of State School Students which says that Covid-19 protocols in schools should be the full prerogative of health authorities.
L-Orizzont says that the General Workers Union welcomes a report by MEP Alex Agius Saliba calling for a general right to disconnect. In a statement, the union said that new directives are needed to reflect employment in the digital transformation.
Morning Briefing
New solutions on migration required – PM Abela
The migration crisis cannot continue to be tackled on a case by case basis and the European Union cannot continue to leave countries like Malta and Italy to tackle this situation on their own, Prime Minister Robert Abela said.
The Times of Malta reports that speaking during a joint news conference together with the leaders of southern Europe during the Summit Med 7 in Corsica, Abela said the pressures on the migratory route in the centre of the Mediterranean have been increasing for some time.
The problem, he said, was not being given the importance it deserved on the European agenda and although the assistance some countries were giving was acknowledged, leaving boats in the middle of the sea was no longer a solution.
Government to support business further – PM
During a conference organised by the SME Chamber, the Prime Minister Robert Abela said that the Government is investing the funds it has saved over the last few years, so that Maltese businesses can continue to expand and increase jobs, which are the country’s biggest resource.
Robert Abela said that to date the Government does not have a liquidity crisis and so far it has only borrowed from local banks.
Speaking about the wage supplement scheme which so far around 100,000 employees have benefitted from, the PM added that in October’s Budget the scheme will be updated to continue helping businesses. Questioned about whether the Government will be introducing a new voucher scheme, the PM did not exclude that a similar scheme may be launched.
Covid-19 – Malta
An 80 year old man is the 15th victim of coronavirus in Malta, the Health Ministry said yesterday. He had tested positive last Friday and was admitted to Mater Dei Hospital on Wednesday. It is understood that the man had other underlying conditions.
42 new COVID-19 cases and 43 recoveries were reported between Wednesday and Thursday, the health authorities said this afternoon.
The number of active cases remains stable at 487. These include a cluster of 21 workers who are presently working on the Marsa junction project.
CDE News
