Updated 1745 – News Portal Review
TVM says the health authorities have confirmed that 39 new cases of Coronavirus have been identified in Malta over the past 24 hours after 2,632 swab tests were carried out. Today’s figures also mention another 18 recoveries from the virus.
MaltaToday reports Pieter Omtzigt has accused Robert Abela of “blatant political interference” over public statements expressing reservations on the Caruana Galizia public inquiry.
Times of Malta says Yorgen Fenech’s defence team filed an application on Friday asking for the murder compilation to be recalled as soon as possible, before the next scheduled hearing on October 6.
The Malta Independent reports a woman has become the 17th victim of Coronavirus in Malta, the government announced today. The ministry said she suffered from other medical conditions.
Newsbook says a private security firm employee was arrested after he shot at an asylum seeker detained at the Safi Barracks in riots that broke out late last night, in which seven police officers were also injured.
Updated 1235 – Covid-19 Update
39 new cases were identified in the past 24 hours, with 18 recoveries. Swab tests taken were 2,632, with the number of active cases reaching 621.
Meanwhile, a Covid-19 contact tracing app was launched by Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne and Digital Economy Parliamentary Secretary Clayton Bartolo.
In her weekly briefing, Prof Charmaine Gauci said 9 persons are being treated at the Infectious Diseases Unit, and two are being treated at the Intensive Therapy Unit. 12 are being kept in other wards, 10 are at Boffa Hospital and 12 are at St Thomas Hospital.
She said that the number of cases is increasing. “We saw a peak and now the numbers are increasing again, as is happening in many other countries around the world.” Gauci added that the biggest clusters now are related to care homes. 117 cases related to care homes were discovered over the past week. The number includes both residents and staff members.
The app – COVID Alert Malta – is available for download on the Apple Store and Google Play.
The app will let users know if they have been in close contact with someone who tests positive for the Coronavirus.
However, Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne signalled on Friday that no further restrictive measures are in the pipeline, saying that Malta already has a number of measures in place.
A 91-year-old woman, who was an active Covid-19 case, died at Mater Dei Hospital in the past hours. The news was released by Malta’s Ministry of Health.
The woman, who had other health conditions, was tested positive on August 26th, and admitted to hospital on September 6th.
Updated 0825 – Newspaper Review
The Times says that the police are considering options following the conclusions of the magisterial inquiry into allegations of kickbacks from passport sales paid to Keith Schembri. The inquiry report has, so far, not been published by the Attorney General.
In-Nazzjon says that the Nationalist Party published the due diligence reports into the two contenders for the party leadership, incumbent Adrian Delia and challenger Bernard Grech. The Administrative Council voted for the full publication of the documents.
The Independent quotes a statement by the Chamber of Commerce proposing a short period of stricter containment measures to rein in the spike in Covid-19 cases. The Chamber is calling for an urgent meeting of the constituted bodies.
L-Orizzont quotes Parliamentary Secretary for active ageing Silvio Parnis who reacts to new protocols introduced in homes for the elderly. Parnis said that it cannot only be the elderly who make the sacrifices.
The Times reports that a contact tracing app will launch in Malta today, alerting users whether they have been in proximity to an infected person. Authorities said that the COVID Alert Malta app is meant to complement conventional tracing methods.
The Independent reports that active coronavirus cases have risen to over 600 after 35 new infections were registered on Thursday. The paper says that there is a surge in nursing homes for the elderly.
L-Orizzont speaks to parents who are in favour of the reopening of schools. One mother says that she has been heavily criticised by other parents for saying that children learn more in the classroom than online.
In-Nazzjon reports that a 28-year-old man lost his life in a traffic accident in Nadur on Thursday afternoon. The victim, who was riding a motorbike, was involved in a collision with a double-decker coach.
L-Orizzont carries an interview with a woman who has been diagnosed with cancer. The mother said that the cancer is a ‘monster’ but it has helped her strengthen her relationship with her children.
Morning Briefing
PN due diligence report published
The Nationalist Party has published a due diligence report looking into the fitness to run for Party leadership for both candidates, incumbent Adrian Delia and challenger Bernard Grech.
The report noted that if Delia’s Whatsapp exchanges with Yorgen Fenech exchanges were true, such move would ‘undermine’ the party’s anti-corruption fight.
While the panel noted “with regret” that Bernard Grech took a number of years to settle his tax bill, it is understood that Adrian Delia still has pending claims with Inland Revenue.
The due diligence process was concluded last week and both men were given the go-ahead to formally submit their candidature. Both candidates had said they wanted the due diligence reports published.
Man dies in motorbike incident in Gozo, another assualted in Bormla
Another death on the Maltese roads was consumed yesterday after a motorcyclist collided with a double decker bus in Nadur, Gozo, tragically dying on the spot.
The Libyan man was 28 years old and lived in Zebbug, Gozo.
The police are on the lookout for a man who grievously injured a pedestrian in an attack in Cospicua on Thursday. In a statement, the Corps said that this attack took place in Cospicua, in the early afternoon.
The police said the victim, a 58-year-old Briton who lives in the same locality, was standing on the pavement when a car stopped next to him and was assaulted.
Covid-19 cases surpass 600 again
The Health Ministry reported 35 new cases of coronavirus in Malta, identified through 2,536 swab tests carried out in the past 24 hours. With 25 persons recovering, the number of active cases has once again gone over the 600 mark.
The Ministry said that almost half of yesterday’s cases, 51, were identified from the St Joseph Home cluster.
Yesterday, theUniversity Student body, KSU, said that University of Malta lectures will be streamed online and where possible a physical option on campus will be provided.
CDE News
