Health ministry says over 350 staff have received training to deal with possible cases

The Ministry for Health has emphasised that with regard to the COVID-19 outbreak, Malta is still in a pre-containment phase focused on identifying any cases early and ensuring that these are effectively contained to minimise subsequent spread.

There were no cases of coronavirus in Malta up to yesterday evening

“In this phase, the public health strategy is aimed at ensuring that the few specific areas of first responders and designated management locations are equipped to deal with any cases that might be identified. This involves maximising the level of training and competence of the staff in these entities,” the health ministry statement read.

“In this regard, an intensive training programme has been provided to the staff of these wards as well as the casualty department. This has involved in excess of 350 staff which is in addition to concurrent training given by the Primary Care Department to staff in the health centres as well as in the Public Health Department.” This countered a statement made by Paul Pace, president of the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN), who earlier in the day said that nurses have not being given any form of preparation or drilling in case a patient tests positive for the coronavirus.

MUMN head Pace had said: “I see the Superintendence of Public Health go on television and tell the nation we are prepared, when the nurses have not even had a drill yet. Medical staff has not been provided with the basic training on how to take care of a patient with COVID-19.” As Mater Dei Hospital is already extremely busy, Pace said, it is not clear where patients who test positive for the virus will be kept. “We already have patients in corridors, and hopefully patients who test positive for the virus will not be left in the corridors.” He said that nurses are not aware who will be on the frontline if a patient is brought in.

The health ministry statement read that the Public Health Department also has additional contingency plans in the event that the situation aggravates beyond the current situation in Europe and locally. “Those plans, including further training as appropriate, will be triggered if and when necessary.”

The Department has – from the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak – strictly followed the guidelines of the European Centre for Disease Control, the statement read.

People who have fever, cough or shortness of breath within 14 days of visiting China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Iran, South Korea, Northern part of Italy (Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto and Emilia-Romagna) should contact their family doctor and the health authorities on 2132 4086. They are advised to refrain from visiting health centres or the casualty department in the first instance. The health authorities are also advising people to avoid non-essential travel to the listed areas. People returning from these areas are being asked to self-quarantine for 14 days.

The general public is reminded to take the necessary precautions for prevention of respiratory infections: wash hands often with soap and water or use alcohol hand rub, and contain germs by staying at home if unwell. “Do not go to work or school until you are better. Do not visit patients in hospital if you are sick. Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze into bare hands. Bin used tissues immediately. Do not leave tissues running around. Do not sneeze or cough into your hands as you may contaminate objects or people that you touch,” the health ministry said.

During a press conference, health officials said that helplines were being improved. “We have one for GPs which is dedicated to getting information from them with any cases they might face. But there is also 2132 4086 which is available to the general public 24/7.”

The head of the Department of Infection Control at Mater Dei Hospital, Michael Borg, said that “we invested in hundreds of thousands of air purifiers with which we have tripled the capabilities of Mater Dei to handle with coronavirus.” However, he pointed out that anyone who might be affected but does not need to be hospitalised will not be admitted to Mater Dei, but quarantined and cared for in a separate area outside of it.

Turning to the issue of masks, Borg said that masks are not needed unless one is at the hospital, and said that the most important thing is that people wash their hands.

The officials denied rumours that a plane was sent to Italy to bring individuals back to Malta.

Borg emphasised that there is an incredible amount of false information on social media which is causing false alarms and fear – “there is no need to be afraid, we simply need to be vigilant.”