Updated 1235 – Covid-19 Update
Coronavirus cases returned above the two hundred mark, with 203 new infections reported on Monday. Recoveries amounted to 175, taking the tally of active cases up to 2,632. Two more deaths were reported, taking the number of fatalities to 253.
These cases were identified from 3,345 swab tests taken on Sunday.
Updated 1130 – Malta with least restrictions against Covid-19
Malta is one of the least strict countries in the European Union in terms of measures imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19, according to a University of Oxford index reported by The Times of Malta.
This index considers restrictions such as curfews and school closures in more than 180 countries. It also evaluates ravel restrictions, fiscal measures and vaccination programmes. Malta was given a mark of 52.78.
While Croatia and Estonia had the lowest restrictions (With a rating of just over 50), in contrast, Cyprus registered a score of 84.26 and Greece and Italy scored 80.56 and 78.7, respectively. Germany and Ireland have a high score of 85.19.
Updated 0845 – Newspaper Review
The Independent speaks to Mount Carmel Hospital CEO Stephanie Xuereb following criticism earlier this month by a patient about the state of the facility. The CEO said the hospital investigates every complaint.
The Times reports that Malta ranks among one of the EU countries with the least strict Covid-19 measures in the University of Oxford Index tracking government efforts to fight the pandemic around the world.
L-Orizzont carries an interview with Christopher Aquilina, station manager at the Civil Protection Department, who spoke about his 30-year career and the risks people in the field face every day.
In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who revealed that the party is conducting a socio-economic study in Gozo to assess the main priorities in the island. The research covers areas including work, health, environmental planning, and sustainable development.
The Independent quotes Eurostat figures which show that 53 percent of the companies in Malta made use of cloud computing in 2020, an increase from 26 percent in 2016. The EU average last year was 36 percent.
L-Orizzont reports on the judicial process in Rome against two Italian navy officers who are being accused of voluntary killing when a boat carrying 268 migrants, including 60 children, sank near Lampedusa in 2013.
The Times says that self-confessed middleman Melvin Theuma is expected to testify in the compilation of evidence against Yorgen Fenech this afternoon, the first time appearance in court he was discovered in a pool of blood at his apartment six months ago.
In-Nazzjon says that the government is not consulting the doctors’ association or the nurses’ union in the process of negotiations with Steward Health Care over the privatised public state hospitals.
L-Orizzont says that researchers at Oxford University will conduct clinical tests on a promising new medicine for the treatment of the Covid-19 disease by limiting the capacity of the virus to multiply.
Morning Briefing
2020 was most difficult year in Maltese history – PM
Prime Minister Robert Abela described 2020 as the most difficult in the history of our nation, but insisted that despite the hardships, decisions taken by Government ensured a strong recovery will be possible. Had the country gone under lockdown, he added, it would not have recovered. Other countries were suffering the negative economic consequences of lockdown, he argued. More importantly, the investment which took place in the health sector bore fruit.
“We had a clear vision – while others went for a low testing rate, we focused on more testing and being transparent about the results. We invested in health facilities, and we have also increased the rate of vaccination against COVID-19,” the Prime Minister aargued.
The government is also expected to provide details about the aid scheme announced at the end of 2020 for bars and restaurants impacted by COVID-19.
Gozo is a priority for the PN, says Bernard Grech
Sunday’s political activity by the Nationalist Party, held in Nadur, focused on Gozitan needs, with leader Bernard Grech revealing that the Party had commissioend a socioeconomic study of the island to better understand the challenges being faced. This study included a comparative analysis of healthcare on the two min islands as well as ways to ensure sustainable development and improve people’s quality of life.
The PN will also reintroduce the Gozo channel cargo service from Valletta, Grech said, noting how the removal of this service had led to more pollution and pressure on Malta’s infrastructure, with operators using Cirkewwa instead. A fast-ferry service is also on the agenda of the PN.
Grech also spoke at length on the bias being exposed by the national broadcaster, with reference to what he described as a blatant partisan interview he faced at PBS last week.The Nationalist leader saluted journalists, technicians and broadcasters at the national station, who he said are capable persons despite the pressures being applied on them.
Covid-19 Update
A total 116 new COVID-19 cases were announced on Sunday, the lowest daily case count since January 3 and three fewer than on Saturday. The new cases were detected from 3,111 swab tests, bringing down the positivity rate to 2.83%. One patient – an 81-year-old man died at Gozo General Hospital, taking Malta’s COVID-19 death toll to 251.
Santa Lucia underpass inaugurated
The Santa Lucija underpass has been inaugurated after an investment of €20 million, a statement by the Office of the Prime Minister read. The project was partially financed by European Funds. Prime Minister Robert Abela, along with Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital projects, as well as Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi inaugurated the roundabout underpass project.
CDE News
