[WATCH] 43 new cases of COVID-19 as virus hits three elderly care homes

43 new cases of COVID-19 were registered on Friday as three elderly care homes were hit by an outbreak of the virus.

Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci said there were 13 cases of coronavirus at the Casa Antonio home in Balzan, two of which are carers, two cases at the San Paolo care home in Buġibba and 32 cases, including seven carers, at the St Joseph Home in Fgura.

Gauci said 2,094 swab tests were carried out in the last 24 hours. There were 30 recoveries, bringing the total number of active cases at 399. Active cases in Gozo stand at 14.

Four patients are currently being held at the Infectious Disease Unit in Mater Dei Hospital, four are being housed in other wards, one patient is being held at the ITU, eight are being cared for at Boffa Hospital and 15 are being cared for at St Thomas Hospital.

The largest cluster this week was the family one, with 51 patients. The migrant cluster currently has 31 patients.

21 construction workers working on the Marsa flyover project are also infected.

The average age of patients who contracted COVID-19 during the last week was 47.

Homes

Gauci said that the spread of COVID-19 in care homes probably stemmed from visitors.

She confirmed that those people who are not classified as high risk or have mild symptoms are quarantined at the care home and not moved to hospital.

Homes are also equipped with virus experts which have the knowhow to prevent the further spread of the contagion, according to Gauci.

Patient tests positive for a second time

The public health superintendent also confirmed that an individual tested positive twice for the virus. The person has mild symptoms.

ECDC will be issuing guidelines and the public health superintendence will be moving forward on those guidelines as to how to classify and treat the cases. 

Migrant situation

On migrants, Gauci said the majority are asymptomatic, and were only detected due to random testing.

One migrant is being held at Mount Carmel, and another is being held at Boffa Hospital.

Appeal to wear masks

Gauci appealed for people to wear masks in a proper way and to “take care of each other”.

She said that people should limit contact with vulnerable people.