Malta breaks daily record of COVID cases since onset of pandemic, hospitalisations remain relatively low

Malta has broken a new record since the onset of the pandemic, with 582 new infections registered in the past 24 hours.

With 2,991 active cases on the island as of Wednesday, the number of people who are COVID positive and being treated at hospital stands at 47, four of whom are being treated in the Intensive Care Unit.

Malta’s second highest daily case increase was recorded on 10th March 2021, with a daily increase of 510. At the time, the number of hospitalisations was so severe, five Intensive Treatment Units were in operation.  

From Wednesday’s figures, 94 new recoveries were registered, as well as the tragic passing of two males, aged 52 and 53 years old while COVID positive.

Like the rest of Europe, Malta is experiencing a spike of community transmission. In Europe, countries like the Netherlands, Austria, Germany and France have introduced tough new restrictions limiting movement and gatherings, thereby impacting a wide range of sectors. Malta has till now held firm, apart from the reintroduction of masks in public spaces.

Local hospitality and catering stakeholders are now expressing concern about the upcoming shoulder months, due to differing COVID rules across Europe impacting travel, and therefore, tourism and conferences.

The Maltese Government’s COVID Wage Supplement is set to expire in January, a one month extension from the original expiration date of December 2021, however the reintroduction of any further restrictions on the economy will see many sectors, not least of which tourism, in dire need of the supplement to extend beyond.