COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Bulletin – 27th March 2020 (1400 hrs)
LOCAL NEWS
Press Conference by Health Superintendent (27th March, 1230 hrs)
Five new individuals have tested positive yesterday, after 432 swabs were carried out.
In her daily update, Prof Charmaine Gauci explained that only one case is related to travel while four cases reflect internal transmission. One patient, a 60-year old woman, has been admitted to ITU.
4,662 swabs were taken so far, with 139 people testing positive.
The travel-related case related to a Maltese UK-based man who returned to Malta earlier in March. He had immediately self-quarantined.
Of the four local cases, these include a Maltese man who was identified through contact tracing since he worked with one previously identified Covid-infected patient. Another man, also 32-year old, was identified through screening taking place at Mater Dei prior to being admitted to an operation.
Another person, of Indian nationality, 30, is a health care worker and is related to previous cases. In another case, concerning a Gambian man, the Authorities have so far not identified any link to previous cases.
Prof Gauci repeated the rationale behind the new measures announced yesterday by Deputy PM Chris Fearne insisting that vulnerable persons should only leave their home for medical requirements.
Persons living with vulnerable persons or over-65 year olds can apply for an exemption to feed animals. With regards to relatives living with these persons they should ideally isolate themselves, but it is understandable that in certain cases they will be able to shop for food and medicines. She also remarked that unless telework is available, they are expected to report to work. However, Prof Gauci insisted that to truly safeguard the elderly and vulnerable persons, those living with them should limit their interactions as much as possible.
Press Conference by Deputy PM Chris Fearne (26th March, 1730 hrs)
Deputy PM and Health Minister Chris Fearne announced two new measures to improve social distancing following the recent increase in cases.
Government has announced a lockdown for persons of over 65 years, as well as younger persons with chronic diseases, such as insulin-dependent diabetics, persons making use of biological medicines, persons who have been on chemotherapy in the past six months, persons who suffer from immunosuppression, pregnant women, people with respiratory complications and others who will be identified through a further communication by government.
This is to avoid contact with persons who are potentially carrying the virus. These parents are at greater risk and therefore the authorities feel this decision is needed to protect these members of our community. In total, this covers around 118,000 people. This measure comes into force from Saturday morning. The only exception will cover medical necessities.
The second decision gives the Police authority to ask people not to gather in groups larger than five. Ideally, people should not stay in groups of more than a couple, but the Health Superintendent will delegate its authority to police officers to ask groups of more than five to disperse. This decision was taken since despite the ban of organised events, were still gathering in public spaces, with all the risks that this entails.
MEDIA COVERAGE
Timesofmalta.com
Confusion reigns as lockdown looms for thousands of people
Some 118,000 people are expected to go into lockdown as of Saturday yet many are still unsure of what they can and cannot do.
Others do not even know whether they are part of the group going into lockdown.
The health authorities announced on Thursday evening that 118,000 individuals will no longer be able to leave their house as of Saturday. This includes those over the age of 65, pregnant women, and those with certain medical conditions. Those living with them must also go into lockdown.
But while establishing whether a person is over 65 or pregnant is relatively straightforward, those with medical conditions are still trying to figure out whether they fall in the “vulnerable people” category or not.
Coronavirus lockdown for elderly impacts President, two ministers and four MPs
The new lockdown measure for people aged 65 and over will force President George Vella, Finance Minister Edward Scicluna and Foreign Minister Evarist Bartolo to stay at home.
Vella is 77, while Bartolo and Scicluna are 67 and 73, respectively.
But the new measure that will come into force on Saturday morning will also impact four MPs. Labour backbencher Joe Mizzi (68), and PN MPs Robert Arrigo (65), Frederick Azzopardi (70) and Maria Deguara (71), will also have to remain housebound.
Malta furniture manufacturers ask for aid as demand plummets
Maltese manufacturers of furniture are losing significant demand and have put most work on hold as suppliers close shop due to coronavirus directives.
The Malta Furniture Manufacturers Organisation has said that furniture manufacturers, most of which are run by family businesses, are bracing themselves for the worst but would like to see further government aid rolled out to help such companies. “Whilst the general impression is that the industry is working as normal, I c
an assure you that it is not. Starting off, due to social distancing measures, we have most of our suppliers which typically operate from their outlets and also by visiting manufacturing facilities, closing their shops and most are not visiting in a bid to protect themselves, their employees and their customers,” the organisation said.
Printed
The Times leads with fresh measures announced by the government ordering high-risk people, including the elderly and people with specific medical conditions, to stay home. The restrictions will come into effect on Saturday.
L-Orizzont says that police have been ordered to disperse gatherings of five people or more in public as part of new measures against Covid-19. People will be asked to keep at distances of at least two meters away from each other.
The Independent quotes Health Minister Chris Fearne who said that predictive modelling used by authorities indicates that the spread can be expected to surge, entering a new phase of local transmission. The Independent reports that five new people tested positive for the virus by Thursday, bringing the total number of cases to 134. Many of the patients are being kept at home and only 33 are being treated at a hospital.
In-Nazzjon says that the lockdown for elderly and vulnerable people will directly impact 118,000 people and their families. Individuals affected by the new restrictions are being asked to keep at a distance from visitors.
L-Orizzont follows the media briefing by Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci who informed the public that, of the five latest cases, three were imported and two were locally transmitted. L-Orizzont says that the European Parliament changed the way it is conducting it work to curb the virus spread. The paper speaks to Maltese MEPs who explained new systems that have been put in place.
Editorials
The Times of Malta notes that business groups and trade unions generally welcomed, in tandem, the fiscal initiatives aimed at protecting employment and supporting businesses, just as they had lined up to reject the earlier package on offer. It also notes that other sectors feel that they are not being helped enough. The Editor acknowledges that not everyone affected by this crisis will benefit equally and directly from the latest fiscal measures, but at the same time argues that it might not be realistic to expect the government to issue a fully comprehensive insurance policy underwritten with taxpayers’ money to ensure that no one suffers any pain in this crisis. The Editor therefore appeals that actions must be taken on the evidence of the damage that is already being done to employment and economic activity.
The Independent’s Editor was not in a positive mood yesterday in penning today’s op-ed, preparing us for a long, difficult year. Such conclusion is based on a solid argument – the cancellation of Summer feasts and the call for a pre-fab hospital to be ready in a number of week as well – the Editor rightly argues that one does not build a hospital to use for a week or two. In this context, the Editor appeals for respect of curfews instructed by the authorities to make sure that we do our bit to reduce the length of this challenging situation.
L-Orizzont defines the key word in these difficult times as being “responsibility”. The Editor insists that the virus cannot be defeated by the authorities alone – the general public must act responsibly by following orders, including avoiding unnecessary gatherings. The opinion article also calls for responsibility amongst businessmen, pointing out the few that have raised prices in such dire moments. The Editor condemns such approach, which is defined as complete abuse.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Boris Johnson tested positive for COVID-19
Johnson announced on Twitter: “Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus. I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government’s response via videoconference as we fight this virus”.
France reports highest daily toll of coronavirus deaths, 16-year-old girl among victims
French health authorities reported 365 new deaths from coronavirus on Thursday, taking the total to 1,696. A 16-year-old girl was among them, making her France’s youngest-ever person to die from the virus. The rise in the number of deaths represents a daily rise of 27 percent, a marked increase from the previous day with France now in its second week of lockdown.
Microsoft says Teams communication app has reached 44 million daily users
Microsoft’s Teams service for calling and chatting with colleagues has over 44 million daily active users, up from 20 million in November, the company said on Thursday. The disclosure puts even more distance between Teams and its closest competitor, Slack.
The growth demonstrates that Microsoft can still attract fresh organic interest in its longstanding Office productivity software franchise. That increasing popularity could help the company retail Office customers that might otherwise start looking at other products, like Slack or video-calling service Zoom.
More News:
For a Fact-Checked Aggregated Service of CoVid-19 related information, please visit: https://corporatedispatch.com/category/coronavirus/
Additional info
Malta Helpline: 111
International assistance contact
While Maltese Missions abroad will be assisting Maltese citizens who require assistance in the affected areas, in case of emergency or for more information, Maltese citizens may contact the Ministry on the following coordinates:
- Phone: 00356 2204 2200
- Email address: sitcen.mfea@gov.mt
This daily update bulletin is being compiled for the Chamber of Advocates by CI Consulta from Corporate ID Group. CI Consulta delivers policy research and analysis, evaluations and impact assessments up to policy implementation and integration
