Updated 1542 – New measures to be announced tomorrow as 63 new cases reported on Sunday
PM Robert Abela said that new restrictive measures will be announced tomorrow to limit the spread of COVID-19
The announcement was made in a social media post after what Abela described as a productive meeting with Health Minister Chris Fearne and Charmaine Gauci, the superintendent of public health.
Earlier this afternoon, the Health Department reported 63 new cases of coronavirus in Malta. 2,142 swab tests were reported, however no further details on the cases, including any relationship to further clusters was provided.
Critical cases and deaths will happen – MAPHM
Meanwhile, the Malta Association of Public Health Medicine remarked that Malta had gone from one of the countries that responded the best to the COVID19 pandemic, to one of the worst-hit countries in terms of having to deal with new cases.
“This past week, Malta registered the highest rate of new cases per capita in the entire EU. This means that people in Malta are currently at the highest risk of getting infected within the EU. Not only this, but we’re also in the top 10 in the world.”
“As a result of the numbers we are currently experiencing, within the next few weeks, we will see more hospitalisations, critically sick people, and sadly but inevitably, further deaths. This is all thanks to the failed experiment of stimulating the economy with tourists and parties which went against all public health advice”.
Morning briefing
The traditional feast of the Assumption of Mary failed to tone down the intensity of the current news cycle in Malta with developments occurring throughout the day, particularly in relation to the recent spike in Covid-19 cases in Malta.
Throughout Saturday, these were the key news:
Health authorities threaten more restrictions as Covid cases continue to surge
Malta registered another record-breaking tally of coronavirus cases, with 72 new patients being reported in the previous 24 hours, taking the number of active cases to 557. Both Health Minister Chris Fearne and Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci warned that more restrictions could be on the cards if the public ignored social distancing rules. These comments reflected a number of images making the rounds of social media, with crowds gathering in Paceville, Malta’s entertainment district, and packed pleasure boats making their way to Comino.
Despite Health authorities asking for the public’s cooperation, in strongly worded statement the doctors’ and employers’ association blamed the hotels and tourism industry and government respectively for the current spike in crisis.
AG resigns
Attorney-General Dr Peter Grech has tendered his resignation to the President of the Republic, Dr George Vella.
His resignation will come into effect on 9 September.
In a statement following the news, Prime Minister Robert Abela thanked the AG for his service to the state in his 10-year term in office.
With no information related to the reasons of this resignation being provided, the Opposition Nationalist Party demanded that his letter to the President be published in full.
“Following unprecedented amendments implemented by this administration, Minister for Justice, Equality and Governance Edward Zammit Lewis will now be establishing an Appointment Commission which will issue a public call for applications in accordance with Chapter 90 of the Laws of Malta”, a DOI statement said.
36-year old man accused of murder
A 36-year old man from Attard has been charged with attempting to murder a man in Ta’ Qali last Thursday. He pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.
The case related to the stabbing of a Bulgarian man, who was found covered in blood late Thursday night.
