COVID-19 infections double with record 204 cases

COVID-19 update for 17 October | 204 new cases, 42 recoveries • 1,257 active cases • Swab tests past 24 hours 2,885 • Medical associations warn of catastrophic consequences if rise in numbers continues unchecked

17 October 2020, 12:37pm
by Matthew Agius

1 min read

Malta continues to experience an exponential rise in COVID-19 infections, creating pressure on public health's case investigation and contact tracing teams

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COVID-19 cases continue to surge as the number of new cases reached 204 in the past 24 hours, breaking the previous record, set yesterday, of 122.

Over the past 7 days, Malta has registered an increase in cases of 805 - the highest weekly increase ever, at 21%.

At noon today, the number of active cases stood at 1,257. 42 people recovered from the disease yesterday.

Yesterday’s cases included 32 family members of previously known cases, 6 cases of contact with positive work colleagues, 5 from Paceville, 7 from direct contact with other positive cases and 2 imported cases.

OFFICIAL COVID-19 figures for 17•10•2020 Chris Fearne | MaltaGov | Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate
Posted by saħħa on Saturday, 17 October 2020

The record numbers come as nurses union MUMN warned of catastrophic consequences if the uptick in cases continued to gather pace. Doctors’ association MAM also warned that proper enforcement of measures to contain the spread of the virus was needed.

Matthew Agius is Senior Reporter on Law and Court Affairs at MaltaToday. He is also a Leg...