[WATCH] COVID-19: 191 new cases, two deaths registered

191 new cases of COVID-19 were registered on Friday. 

Active cases stand at 2,047, after two deaths were registered. Total cases stand at 13,967. 

The country has once again reached the 2,000 active cases mark for the first time since the beginning of December. 

The first death was an 84-year-old woman who was confirmed positive on 25 December, and died at Mater Dei Hospital on Friday. 

The second death was a 77-year-old woman who was confirmed positive on 20 December and dies at the Saint Vincent de Paule residence on Friday.

3,639 swab tests were carried out in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of swabs to 536,668. 

77 new recoveries were registered, bringing the total number of recoveries to 11,690. 

Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci said the country’s moving average stands at 143 per day. 

162 people are currently being cared for in hospital, 13 of which are in Mater Dei Hospital’s ITU and eight are in the Infectious Diseases Unit (IDU). 

The average age of patients stands at 40, with most coronavirus cases aged 25 to 34. The most common age of death is the 75-84 bracket.

68 people are in the Good Samaritan Long Term Care Facility, 34 are in other wards at Mater Dei, 14 are in Boffa Hospital, 11 are in St. Thomas Hospital, 10 are in Gozo General Hospital, three are in Mount Carmel Hospital, and another one is at Karin Grech Hospital.

Speaking on the high number of cases, Gauci said that following the festive season the increase was expected. 

She also said health authorities aren’t seeing influenza cases, which have been overtaken by the COVID-19 virus. 

Vaccination 

Charmaine Gauci said that over 85s living in private residences should be receiving their invitation for the COVID-19 vaccine next week.

She reminded those who are unable to go to healthcare centres, and are registered with Commcare that they will not be receiving the letter with this batch. 

Those who do not receive the invitation by end next Friday should call 145 for assistance.

Gauci said that by the end of the week, 4,000 people will have taken the first dose of the vaccine. 

Malta currently has 32,000 doses of the Pfizer Biotech vaccine. 

The public health superintendent said there is no time line as to when people would be able to receive the inoculation privately.

Gauci said the vaccine is purchased by the government, and everyone will receive it for free, with certain age groups given priority.

Schools 

Weighing on the dispute between unions and government over school returns, Gauci said that health authorities hope that schools continue with mitigation measures in place. 

“In this way, children continue with their education with protocols in place,” she said. 

She said that contact tracing in schools has been strengthened thanks to a collaboration with the education ministry. 

Speaking on the situation in schools over the last two days, Gauci said health authorities have remained in contact with the education ministry to ensure that measures are kept in place.