Cold weather alert as temperatures expected to drop in coming days

Keep rooms warm, draw curtains, wear clothing in layers, eat well and keep mobile, health directorate advises

Health directorate advises people to keep warm, eat regularly, take care of elderly, as temperatures expected to drop in coming week
Health directorate advises people to keep warm, eat regularly, take care of elderly, as temperatures expected to drop in coming week

As the weather is forecast to become colder in the coming week, people, especially the elderly who are more vulnerable, should keep to warm areas, eat warm food and drink and avoid alcohol and tobacco, the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate said the today.

Although anybody can suffer from health affects due to the cold, elderly people, infants, and those suffering from long-term health conditions were more at risk, the health directorate said.

Older people also take longer to warm up, putting them at greater risk of an increase in blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes, it said, advising that old people living alone should be checked on regularly.

It emphasised that warm clothing should be worn when going out, preferably in several layers to trap air rather than one thick layer. Indoors, bedrooms should be kept at around 18℃ and living rooms at 21℃.

Window curtains should be drawn when the sun goes down, to help keep the heat inside.

It was also important to eat regular meals, including at least one hot meal a day and frequent hot drinks.

If possible, keeping mobile was also recommended, it said.

Noting that influenza and the common cold are spread more easily as the temperature drops, the health directorate said that close contact with people who are sick with flu should be avoided.

Moreover, people should wash their hands frequently with soap and water, respect proper cough etiquette, and stay home if sick.

The Ministry for Health is also reminding the public that the vaccine for seasonal influenza is still being given free of charge at health centres to all Maltese residents.

The vaccine was the best way of reducing the risk of flu infection and limiting its spreading, it added.

The weather station at Malta International Airport is forecasting moderate temperatures of between 21℃ to 17℃ up to Saturday, however the mercury is expected to drop to 14℃ by Monday.