[WATCH] Coronavirus: Superintendence of Public Health update, 10 new cases

Ten new cases of COVID-19 have arisen in Malta as the Superintendent for Public Health reiterated her call for social distancing as the best way to avoid the spread of the contagion. 

Prof. Charmaine Gauci delivered her daily press briefing on the local Coronavirus outbreak this afternoon. She said an elderly male was the latest case of local transmission, adding that his contacts are yet to be traced.

Two deaths reported yesterday were not found to be related to the Coronavirus, she said.

Two other cases are a couple who were in Poland, who went into self-quarantine. Contact-tracing underway with respect to a Berlin flight to Malta. 

An Italian couple, male and female, 34 years old, are also two new cases. They were not abroad, but they had contact with another person identified with a local transmission from a workplace.

Another case is Maltese woman who travelled from London, who also went into quarantine; her family is also in quarantine.

Another two cases related to a hospital admission yesterday; they have been transferred to the infectious diseases unit. The ward where infection happened has been now sectioned off. The staff is in quarantine, and patients in the ward being tested.

Another case is a Maltese worker who contracted the coronavirus from London; and another relative from a family ‘cluster’ where members have already contracted coronavirus from Belgium.

The majority of cases so far are travel-associated, from a variety of countries. We have also have cases of local transmissions from the imported cases; but now new cases of local transmission in the community are expected to begin. Early case identification and contract tracing can help slow down the faster spread.

Prof. Gauci insisted that social distancing measures are so far the most effective way to contain the virus’ spread. 1799 swab tests had been carried out so far. Prof. Gauci said that strict swabbing and social distancing measures will give Malta a chance to contain contagion up until the time a vaccine is available. She could not, however, speculate about the length of time these measures would have to be in place for as the vaccine is still being developed.

Asked whether a lockdown was required at this stage, she said: “We are taking as many measures as possible to keep people inside, to have people working from home as much as possible, stopping mass events… except for essential services, so that we reduce the hardship of a potential lockdown, while reducing all social contact as much as possible.”

“We have taken a staged approach in the run-up to the stoppage on flights; the prime minister wanted to make sure people who wanted to return could make the flight back home.”

“Our appeal to persons who are feeling sick, where there is the beginning of the symptoms, do not report to work. The main way of transmission is droplet transmission, and some airborne transmission.”

12:34 “Our appeal to persons who are feeling sick, where there is the beginning of the symptoms, do not report to work. The main way of transmission is droplet transmission, and some airborne transmission.” Matthew Vella

12:33 “We have taken a staged approach in the run-up to the stoppage on flights; the prime minister wanted to make sure people who wanted to return could make the flight back home.” Matthew Vella

12:28 Two deaths reported in the news yesterday are unrelated to the coronavirus. Matthew Vella

12:26 “We are taking as many measures as possible to keep people inside, to have people working from home as much as possible, stopping mass events… except for essential services, so that we reduce the hardship of a potential lockdown, while reducing all social contact as much as possible.” Matthew Vella

12:25 A question on the lockdown: is this necessary at this stage? Matthew Vella

12:23 Prof. Gauci says Malta is not a believer in herd immunity strategies, because its priority is to reduce the exposure of vulnerable people, among them elderly people, to contagion. Matthew Vella

12:20 Prof. Gauci says strict swabbing and social distancing measures will give Malta a chance to contain contagion up until the time a vaccine is available. She does not speculate about the length of time for such a vaccine has yet to be developed. Matthew Vella

12:19 She said that although flights will be stopped for incoming travellers, empty flights will be making their way to Malta to take tourists out of the island. Matthew Vella

12:17 Prof. Charmaine Gauci once again insists on social distancing as the best way so far to spread the contagion. Matthew Vella

12:16 1799 swabbing tests so far. Matthew Vella

12:15 The majority of cases so far are travel-associated, from a variety of countries. We have also have cases of local transmissions from the imported cases; but now new cases of local transmission in the community are expected to start. Early case identification and contract tracing can help slow down the faster spread. Matthew Vella

12:14 Another case is a Maltese worker who contracted the coronavirus from London; and another relative from a family ‘cluster’ where members have already contracted coronavirus from Belgium. Matthew Vella

12:12 Another two cases related to a hospital admission yesterday; they have been transferred to the infectious diseases unit. The ward where infection happened has been now sectioned off. The staff is in quarantine, and patients in the ward being tested. Matthew Vella

12:10 Another case is Maltese woman who travelled from London, who also went into quarantine; her family is also in quarantine. Matthew Vella

12:09 Updated | 10 new cases of coronavirus Matthew Vella

12:09 An Italian couple, male and female, 34 years, are also two new cases. They were not abroad, but they had contact with another person identified with a local transmission from a workplace. Matthew Vella

12:09 Two other cases are a couple who were in Poland, who went into self-quarantine. Contact-tracing underway with respect to a Berlin flight to Malta. Matthew Vella

12:08 We have one new case of an old male, whose contacts so far are not yet established. It is a case of local transmission. Matthew Vella

READ MORE: Coronavirus: Eight new cases, including three-year-old, test positive overnight