No coronavirus infections in Malta so far - Fearne
• Targeted screening of passengers underway at airport, Grand Harbour
No coronavirus infections have been registered in Malta so far, Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne told Parliament yesterday evening.
In a ministerial statement, Fearne said that two people are currently being held in quarantine as a precaution following their return from a cruise in Asia. Apart from this, Malta has no cases of novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.
Fearne said that on 13 February 2020, a meeting was held between European Union health ministers, where it was concluded that despite the number of cases detected so far do not constitute an epidemic.
In collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Maltese authorities have taken the necessary precautions for containment.
The Superintendent of Public Health is leading a committee which is following the problem globally and making recommendations locally, Fearne said.
There are professional screenings taking place at the airport in Luqa on a 24-hour basis, targeting anyone coming from places where coronavirus cases have been found. There are isolation facilities both at the airport and at the Grand Harbour.
Fearne added that Malta’s laboratories have been equipped so that results can be obtained in just two hours and any positive results are directed to care facilities outside of Mater Dei Hospital, where twelve beds are available.
The Infection Control Unit has also been expanded with eight beds in order to house any critical cases that require help from Mater Dei.
The emergency department, the intensive therapy unit and health centres have also been equipped with isolation spaces, and protective wear has been purchased for medical staff who have undergone educational programmes regarding this situation.
Fearne stated that the Malta’s Health Department is in contact with Global Healthcare, ECDC and the EU Health Security Committee.There is also a helpline for anyone who has queries (2132 4086).
The first reported case of an infection of the novel coronavirus was detected on 31 December 2019. So far, there have been 70,000 reported cases, and 1,780 people have died. Studies have revealed that the virus is similar to a normal flu, but no vaccine has been found yet.
During yesterday’s parliamentary session, Fearne received a lot of positive feedback for the work being carried out by the health authorities, with PN MP Mario Galea saying that the Opposition supports this work.
However, some questions were raised about what is being done with regard to a possible vaccine and how this will be funded. Fearne said that studies are still underway as there are still questions to be answered.
“It will take around a year or more for a vaccine to be available due to the extensive testing it has to undergo. The vaccine for Ebola took two years to be developed and we expect something similar here.”
He added that, during the meeting with the EU health council, Malta appealed for EU funds to be channelled towards research on this virus. “This virus could be seasonal, so even if things were to wear off for the hotter seasons, it could come back and this is why we made this appeal and the ECDC agreed with us.”
“We also appealed for the shortening of bureaucratic measures in order to develop the vaccine quicker. Additionally, we requested joint procurement among EU members wherein, in the case of an epidemic, the European Council would buy the vaccines and spread them across EU member states accordingly,” he concluded.
Two in quarantine
On Sunday evening, the government said two Maltese people were being held in quarantine after arriving back in Malta following a holiday on a cruise liner on which one passenger had tested positive for the virus.
The couple were on the cruise liner MS Westerdam which disembarked in Cambodia. They were followed up and screened upon their arrival in Malta.
They are not showing any signs or symptoms of respiratory disease. They are in quarantine as a precautionary measure and are being followed up by public health authorities, the statement said.
The cruise ship was turned away by other Asian and Pacific governments due to virus fears before Cambodia allowed it to anchor off its coast last Thursday, with passengers and crew checked by medical staff.
They were stranded at sea for two weeks before being allowed ashore on Friday, with the passengers later disembarking to a reception of flowers, since it was Valentine’s Day.
Malaysia said an 83-year-old American woman who was a passenger on the ship has tested positive for the virus.