LOCAL NEWS
Press Conference by Health Superintendent Prof. Charmaine Gauci (8th April 1330 hrs)
Six new cases were recorded today, included a month-old baby. Malta is now one case short of 300 positive patients. In excess of 900 tests were carried out yesterday.
The baby contracted the virus from hospital and had first experienced cough and difficulty in breathing. No other babies from the same ward were infected.
The other cases concern an elderly Maltese man, a 40-year Maltese woman, a 56-year old health care worker and a 57-year old woman who tested positive during pre-op testing. Of the new cases, only one appeared to be imported, a 52 year old Maltese man who returned to Malta from the United Kingdom last week.
Prof Gauci insisted that despite the significantly lower count indicated today, this should not give rise to a relaxation in one’s approach towards the virus and the indications given by the Authorities needed to be respected at all times.
Malta Chamber presents proposals for further economic stimulus to counteract the COVID-19 crisis
In its drive to support businesses counter the effects of the current crisis, the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry has once again presented Government with a costed proposal to extend its support to more businesses based on their loss of turnover rather than a NACE code approach.
In its new proposal, The Malta Chamber argues that assistance at this juncture needs to be provided to all businesses irrespective of the economic sector they operate in, as this should be based on the loss of turnover they are currently experiencing when compared to the corresponding period last year. Eligibility to Government’s assistance would hence be calculated according to the percentage loss of turn-over experienced by the business. Companies that lose more than half of their turnover are to be supported by wage subsidies equivalent to €800 per month per employee and companies that over a quarter are to be afforded a €400 benefit per month per employee.
Opposition Press Conference (1330 hrs)
The Nationalist Party turned its attention to EU funding in today’s Press Conference, calling for solidarity at a European level. Finance Shadow Minister Mario De Marco said that the EU became successful precisely because it worked hard to ensure no one was left behind.
At this point, financial support was required not to incentivise growth but to ensure survival. De Marco also called on Government to identify those initiatives outlined in the EU budget for which Malta could request funding so as to support the country’s recovery once the crisis was over.
MEP Roberta Metsola insisted on social justice being central to the EU’s actions but strong decisions required all Member States to come together. Metsola said that MEPs were hard at work to ensure that no one faced this crisis alone.
Fellow MEP David Casa explained that measures at EU level were in the pipeline to ensure speedy access to funds. He said that the Maltese were seeking to ensure that funds were speedily available and can be accessed by local communities.
Update on inspections related to quarantine
Eight persons were fined €100 each during the continuous patrols that the Police are doing to ensure that there are no groups of more than three individuals gathered in public places as per the legal notice issued by the government. No one was found breaking the mandatory quarantine during the 496 inspections carried out in the last 24 hours.
No fines to outlets were issued in the past day.
MEDIA COVERAGE
Timesofmalta.com
Government secures medical bodysuits direct from China
The government has secured a consignment of medical bodysuits from China after a massive shipment bound for Malta was stolen in Turkey and believed to be sold on an emerging black market for COVID-19 supplies.
Nurses’ union head Paul Pace said on Tuesday he had been informed that a number of flights had been chartered to bring the suits to the island, after nurses had complained they were fighting the new coronavirus outbreak without adequate protection.
Maltatoday
From men’s suits to face masks, Bortex shifts production to support Covid-19 fight Maltese clothes manufacturer Bortex is shifting its production lines to start producing face masks and medical scrubs to support the coronavirus fight.
The company said that its production lines in Malta will be making up to 30,000 face masks and medical scrubs to be used by hospitals and clinics.
The company’s manufacturing plant in Tunisia remains shut until a curfew there is lifted.
All Bortex and Gagliardi stores in Malta and overseas will also remain closed pending further instructions from the respective health authorities.
Printed
The Independent reports that the number of Covid-19 cases rose to 293 after the highest daily increase was registered on Tuesday with 52 confirmed patients. Health Minister
Chris Fearne said that authorities are not surprised by the jump in numbers.
The Times says that a record number of 825 Coronavirus tests were conducted on Monday at the four swabbing centres in Luqa, Pembroke, Mater Dei and Gozo. Health authorities said they are aiming for 1,000 swabs a day.
In-Nazzjon says that health authorities are conducting contact tracing on all confirmed cases to test for other infected people. The paper echoes a public appeal for people to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary.
L-Orizzont quotes Health Minister Chris Fearne who said that no new measures to control the spread are envisaged for the time being. He said that it is important that the measures already in place are observed.
In-Nazzjon reports on a series of proposals by the Chamber of Commerce recommending a ‘stronger’ stimulus by the government to counter the socio-economic effects of the virus. The Chamber said that assistance should be given without discrimination.
L-Orizzont reports on a joint initiative by the General Workers Union, the government and the private sector that offered alternative occupation to 53 employees who were made redundant in the wake of the coronavirus.
The Independent speaks to a Caritas representative who explained how the services are being offered remotely since the offices were shut down. Among the measures, four new dedicated lines have been added for people to seek appropriate help.
Editorials
Today’s Editorials react to yesterday’s surge in coronavirus cases in Malta, discussing their outlook on expectations for the coming days.
The Times of Malta asks a question that many have probably asked throughout the past four weeks but moreso yesterday, with the tally of new cases indicated that the situation will go on much longer: How will we cope? The Editor suggests that the answer should be solidarity: good neighbourliness, altruism and offering help to each other. Reminding us that this situation is temporary, the Editor suggests that we should take this opportunity to become less materialistic and more appreciative of the truly valuable things in life: love, friendship, community, charity, kindness, good health and compassion for our neighbour.
The Independent takes a look at current developments related to the Opposition, and while admitting that a party in opposition should carry out its duties in keeping the government in check, in situations like the one we are in it should, if it chooses not to support, at least try not to create unnecessary hurdles. The Editor argues that the PN is still struggling to be perceived as being relevant and credible, concluding that this situation is a deficiency in our democracy.
Maltatoday also takes cue from yesterday’s surge in cases deeming it as imperative that government prepares the public for what is yet to come: a spike in cases, that can only be kept manageable through clear, unequivocal procedures for self-isolation on a national level. In this context, it criticises Government’s decision to allow 6,000 to roam freely in Malta’s countryside.
L-Orizzont tributes the role played by Malta’s law enforcement officers who are also at the forefront of the battle against the epidemic, particularly having to increase patrols ensuring that the necessary restrictions being observed.
In-Nazzjon reflects on the proposals brought forward by the Opposition with regard to combating the pandemic, and describes Government as ‘hard-headed’ for failing to engage with it in devising the required solutions.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
New York’s virus toll surpasses that of 9/11
New York City faced one of its darkest days with the death toll from the coronavirus surging past 4,000 — more than the number killed on 9/11.
Despite the staggering death toll in America’s largest city, authorities in New York were optimistic that the outbreak might finally be easing, as has been seen in other global hot spots such as Italy and Spain and before that, China. Health officials, however, warned people not to let their guard down.
Spain’s number of coronavirus deaths rises to over 14,500
The number of daily coronavirus deaths rose in Spain for the second day on Wednesday as 757 people died over the past 24 hours, though the pace of the proportional daily increase in the death toll slowed down slightly, the health ministry said. The number of total fatalities caused by the new coronavirus in Spain rose to 14,555 on Wednesday, the ministry said. The daily increase as a percentage of the total death toll was 5.5%, down from 5.7% the day before, when 743 people died.
The overall detected cases in the country rose to 146,690 from 140,510 on Tuesday, it added.
EU Corner
Coronavirus: EU Medical Teams deployed to Italy
A team of European doctors and nurses from Romania and Norway, deployed through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, is being immediately dispatched to Milan and Bergamo to help Italian medical staff working to battle the coronavirus. Austria has also offered over 3,000 litres of disinfectant to Italy via the Mechanism. The European Commission is coordinating and co-financing this European assistance.
President Ursula von der Leyen said: “These nurses and doctors, who left their homes to help their colleagues in other Member States are the true faces of European solidarity. The whole of Europe is proud of you. The Commission is doing everything it can to help Italy and all our Member States at this time of great need.”
Yesterday Italy also received a delivery of personal protective equipment coordinated through the EU Emergency Response Coordination Centre. Several EU Member States have also sent protective equipment such as masks, overalls and ventilators to Italy, as well taking Italian patients for treatment in their countries.
The Emergency Response Coordination Centre is the heart of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and coordinates the delivery of assistance to disaster-stricken countries, such as relief items, expertise, civil protection teams and specialised equipment.
The centre ensures the rapid deployment of emergency support and acts as a coordination hub between all EU Member States and the 6 additional Participating States, the affected country, and civil protection and humanitarian experts.
More News:
For a Fact-Checked Aggregated Service of CoVid-19 related information, please visit: https://corporatedispatch.com/category/coronavirus/
Additional info
Helplines
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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.
