Updated 1235 – Covid-19 Update
Health authorities reported the second highest ever daily count of Covid-19 cases, 345. With 193 patients recovering, the number of active cases continues to edge up, reaching 3,403. An 88-year-old woman has become the 383rd fatality of the virus. More than 3,800 swab tests were carried out yesterday.
The daily report also indicated that more than 92,000 doses of anti-Covid vaccine were administered, one-third of which being second doses.
1,600 promises of sale in February
1,600 promises of sale, with a value of almost €351 million, were signed during February this year, TVM reported, quoting official sources.
Compared with last year, the number of signed promises of sale increased by 462. February 2020 saw the signing of 1,138 promises of sale with a value of €241.7 million. The increase in promises of sale signing is attributed mostly to the reduction in stamp duty, announced in the economic regeneration plan launched by the Government in June last year.
The measure led to a reduction from 5% to 1.5% in the stamp duty and therefore, provided a strong stimulus for the property sector despite the emergence of the pandemic in the country.
Newspaper Review
The Independent quotes Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci who recommended avoiding the mixing of households at this stage of the pandemic. New measures announced on Thursday limits gatherings to four households.
The Times says that people aged 60 and over will start receiving the Covid-19 vaccine after authorities approved the administration of the AstraZeneca formula for people aged up to 70 years. Prof. Charmain Gauci said this age bracket represents a large group.
In-Nazzjon says that the president of the nurses’ union, Paul Pace, made claims that people are showing up at the vaccination stations without an appointment. The paper says that a surge in cases is raising concerns among the public.
L-Orizzont quotes a study which found that the pandemic had no impact on drug use in Malta in 2020, with levels comparable to those in the previous two years. Cannabis is the most consumed substance, followed by cocaine and heroin.
The Independent reports that Magistrate Nadine Lia has recused herself from the hearing of evidence against the men suspected of supplying the bomb in the Caruana Galizia murder. The magistrate is the daughter-in-law of Joseph Muscat’s personal lawyer, Pawlu Lia.
The Times follows the testimony of Revenue Commissioner Marvin Gaerty in a public inquiry on Friday, where he was asked about a text exchange with murder suspect Yorgen Fenech mentioning “a witch”. Gaerty said he did not know who Fenech was referring to.
L-Orizzont carries an interview with Matthew Tonna Gilford who was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis and has been advised to stay at home during the pandemic. He urged the public to show maturity to help contain the spread of the virus.
In-Nazzjon announces that the Nationalist Party General Council will be postponed indefinitely following the latest safety measures introduced by health authorities. The Council was set to open on March 14.
Morning Briefing
Over 60s next in line for vaccines
People aged over 60 are next in line to be vaccinated, with health authorities now approving AstraZeneca jabs for those aged up to 70. Addressing the weekly briefing, Health Superintendent Prof Charmaine Gauci said that the next batch will cover a very large group of people so the invites will be sent out in batches and encouraged people not to call the Covid-19 helpline if they do not immediately receive one.
Persons aged 60 and 70 will be given the jab in parallel to those aged between 75 and 80, who will be offered the Pfizer or Moderna jab.
Some 90 per cent of those aged over 85 have already been vaccinated, while frontline workers, including teachers, university staff, water service and WasteServ employees are also getting the jab.
Gauci also explained that the majority of active cases, close to 2,000 were related to households, followed by social gatherings, with some 835 cases, with 552 from workplaces, 180 through school and university, and 39 from sports.
“What we’re seeing is what led to the measures we announced yesterday,” Gauci said.”We need to limit interaction to our own household, our own bubble. That’s the best way to protect ourselves. We are recommending that people do not invite others over to their homes but if they do, there is a maximum of four households.”
283 new cases of coronavirus were identified on Friday, with 156 persons recovering. This brings the number of active cases up to 3,252. 3,799 swab tests were carried out on Thursday. Until Thursday, under 90,000 doses were administered, a third of which were second doses. Three further fatalities took the death toll to 328.
Restaurants to get 1,000 euro in compensation
Following yesterday’s announcement that restaurants and snack bars will only serve take-away food, the Government announced that it will grant €1,000 to each establishment which are affected by this measure introduced as part of new anti-Covid restrictions.
Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo explained: “We are giving €1,000 to each restaurant and snack bar affected with the restrictions announced yesterday, so that we will further assist in the control of the Covid pandemic”.
Minister Bartolo said during a press conference that applications have opened for those entitled for this assistance, while the Malta Tourism Authority will be processing the applications so that by the end of March the establishments will receive the assistance through a one-time payment that may be used according to the food establishment owners’ needs.
The scheme will cost Government coffers 2 million euro.
BOV suspends new tariffs
Bank of Valletta has announced the suspension of tariffs on inactive and minimum balance accounts until ongoing discussions are consluded with the Malta Financial Services Authority.
BOV had introduced these tariffs in September 2020 to cover part of the related costs on accounts which were not being used or had low balance. Certain categories exempted from these tariffs. Bank of Valletta urged clients who do not use their banking accounts to close them or choose a basic bank account which is exempt from these tariffs.
CDE News
