Updated 1233 – Covid-19 Update
179 new cases of coronavirus were reported on Friday, a public holiday. 314 persons recovered, lowering the number of active cases to below the 3,000 figures for the first time in days (2,898).
A 77 year old woman became the 364th fatality since the onset of the pandemic.
Chamber finds high level of Covid-fatigue among employees
From a survey carried out among its members, the Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry found that although the pandemic has affected various sectors differently, the general sentiment is that employees are fed up and are feeling fatigued by this situation.
Within the construction sector, where most of the employees are foreign, the main concerns are coping with expenses, the fear that they will lose their job and not having enough money to send back to their families. Among those who work in care homes, the fear is of contracting the virus, fatigue and the possibility of being separated from their families.
Workers in the catering and hospitality industry have seen a number of their colleagues being laid off, and this has led to an impact not only on those who have lost their job but also on their colleagues.
Updated 0957 – ITU facing biggest challenges since onset of pandemic
As Covid cases continued to increase since the beginning of March, hospital’s intensive therapy units are facing the biggest challenge since the onset of the pandemic. The rate stood at 2.33 per 100,000 people during the week ending March 14, according to data published weekly by the ECDC.
Updated 0815 – Newspaper Review
The Times picks up a social media post by Keith Schembri declaring that he expects to face charges for criminal activity. The former chief of staff said that a magisterial inquiry into allegations of kickback was a travesty of justice.
The Independent publishes parts of a public post by Keith Schembri claiming that a magisterial inquiry against him breaches his fundamental rights. Schembri announced that he filed a Constitutional case against the State Advocate and Attorney General.
In-Nazzjon quotes a message by Keith Schembri on Facebook which said that the conclusions of a magisterial inquiry against him were ‘persecution’ by the PN establishment against him for being part of Joseph Muscat team.
L-Orizzont quotes Prof. Charmaine Gauci who said that the UK variant of the virus now accounts for three in every four Covid-19 cases, a rise of almost 15 percentage points in a week. The Public Health Superintendent appealed for responsibility.
The Independent reports that a 75-year old man and 76-year-old woman died at Mater Dei hospital on Thursday, the latest among 363 victims of Covid-19. The number of active cases currently stands at over 3,000.
The Times reports that the rate of people in intensive care rose to 2.33 per 100,000 last week, the highest since the start of the pandemic. Six ITUs are currently in operation while a seventh unit is on stand-by.
In-Nazzjon reports that Opposition Leader Bernard Grech led a delegation of MPs in a cordial visit to President George Vella where they raised concerns about amendments to the Interpretations Act proposed by the government.
L-Orizzont speaks with Equality Minister Edward Zammit Lewis about recent figures confirming an average wage gap of €3,000 annually between women and men. The minister revealed that the government is launching a strategy to address the situation.
Morning Briefing
Schembri expects to be charged shortly
Keith Schembri, former PM Joseph Muscat’s right-hand man said on Facebook that he expected to be charged with criminal activity in the coming days.
He slammed the inquiry investigating alleged kickbacks he gave to former Allied Newspapers managing director Adrian Hillman as a “travesty of justice”. He said that the charges were a plot by the establishment, fronted by people related to the PN against him.
Schembri portrayed the charges as an “establishment” plot against him. Schembri said the conclusions of this inquiry would lead to the lives of many innocent people being destroyed.
Youth Policy launched
The national policy for young people between the ages of 13 and 30 has been launched with the theme, Towards 2030 – Reaching out and supporting young people. The aim of the national policy is providing support to young people to participate and contribute to political, economic, social and cultural life at both local and European level. Minister Farrugia Portelli described youths as the the link with the present with the past and the future, and listed the eight strategic objectives on which government support will be based.
Covid-19 update
The Health Department reported 243 new cases of coronavirus in the previous 24 hours. 334 people recovered from the virus. The number of active cases has reached 3,034. 4,760 swab tests were carried out in the past 24 hours.
Meanwhile, the number of deaths linked to Covid-19 has reached 363, as Malta recorded 2 new deaths.
