News

Coronavirus, flights from Malta to Northern Italy will not be cancelled

Flights from the northern region of Italy to Malta will not stop, until the World Health Organisation will issue an advisory to all countries with such recommendation. The Maltese Government took this decision despite the decree passed by the Italian government to put the whole region of Lombardy and 14 provinces under lockdown until 3 April.

The Medical Association of Malta (MAM) has insisted with the Maltese government for the second consecutive day to cancel all flights from Northern Italy and to order mandatory quarantine for flights from other Italian cities. MAM has also warned the government that it is ready to take all measures seem necessary to protect all medical staff and the general public.

The Union of Cabin Crew declared that it is of high risk to its members and their families to continue operating flights to high risk countries like northern Italy.

All trade unions in Malta, except the association representing hotels and restaurant owners have already declared the need to stop all flights coming to Malta from Northern Italy.

But the Prime Minister of Malta Robert Abela urged the Maltese population to remain calm saying that the coronavirus, Covid-19, was not a plague and that it will not affect everyone. Referring to statistics from other countries, Abela said that these show that the majority of individuals had recovered without being hospitalised.

Up to now, around 444 medical tests were carried out on people who either had symptoms of fever within 14 days of their arrival from an affected country or have been tested for respiratory problems at Mater Dei hospital. Only three Italians were tested positive; a daughter and her parents who were on a holiday in Trentino, and returned to Malta from Rome. It was confirmed that the three patients are recovering and in a good health condition.

The Health Authorities in Malta added that an excercise to trace and contact those who were on the same flight is going on to make sure that there are no other positive cases of coronavirus.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health Chris Fearne confirmed that public health doctors would be send to private homes if a positive case for coronavirus is suspected.
(ITALPRESS/MNA).

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Source: medNews

Malta, found dead Italian missing

Manuel Giovanelli, a 42-year old Italian veterinery was found dead in the sea at Ċirkewwa, in the north of Malta. For the last four years he was working as a veterinery officer with the public service in Malta. The corpse was recovered on Friday evening at around 22.00. The operation for the recovery was conducted by various Police officers and an Armed Forces patrol boat.  Earlier, a search was ongoing for Giovanelli at the Ħad-Dingli cliffs area as a vehicle allegedly used by the Italian was found in the area. Helicopter searches by the Armed Forces of Malta were carried out on Thursday, together with police and Civil Protection members on land, which proved futile. During the day, searches resumed by Civil Protection officers on Ħad-Dingli cliffs. Sources close to the investigators confirmed that in the car a note was found which indicated what the Italian had in mind. It was also confirmed that there were no third parties involved. An inquiry has been initiated by Magistrate Dr Marsanne Farrugia who appointed various experts on the case.

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Source: medNews

Malta, three Italian coronavirus positive

The number of cases of people with coronavirus in Malta rose to three. The Italian parents of the 12-year-old girl who was found positive for the virus this morning were tested positive this evening. Her sister was not testedpositivefor coronavirus. The Maltese government has stated that the situation is controlled and maintained within the family. When the family returned to Malta from Italy, they followed the advice of the Maltese health authorities and remained in quarantine. “The children didn’t go to school and the parents didn’t go to work or leftthe house,” said Chris Fearne, the Maltese health minister. The health authoritiesin Malta reiterated that these three cases were held in solitary confinement atMater Dei hospital. To date, 181 medical tests have been done on people who entered Malta from the countries affected by this virus and have developed symptoms similar to those of the coronavirus. Another 157 people were monitored. But according to the Maltese government all 338 people were negative for COVID 19. Meanwhile, an isolation ward with 18 beds is already prepared at Mater Dei hospital, with another 12 beds placed in another area of ​​the hospital. Plans are also underway to use the 60 beds in Sir PaulBoffa hospital if the need arises in the future. Health superintendent Dr Charmaine Gauci stressed the need to limit non-essential travel to Asia and Italy, particularly in the regions of Piedmont, Veneto and Emilia Romagna. Maltese unions are putting pressure on the Maltese government to stop all flights from Italy, but the Maltese government has confirmed that there is no need to make this decision at this time.
(ITALPRESS/MNA).

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Source: medNews

First case of coronavirus in Malta

Malta has registered its first case of coronavirus. The patientis an Italian girl who lives in Malta with her family.

The Maltese government announced that the 12-year-old girl’s family infected with coronavirus had followed the advice of the local health authorities and decided to self-quarantine when they returned from a vacation in Italy. Thecontact with other people was minimal.

Speaking during a press conference, Health Minister Chris Fearne announced that the girl was being supervised after a sample was taken last night and tested positive this morning.

The girl’s parents had informed the health authorities when the girl started showing symptoms of the virus after the family returned from a vacation in Trentino on a flight from Rome between late February and early March.

The minister confirmed that the girl’s parents and her sister are also isolated, saying there is no cause for alarm since this first case was immediately detected.
Up to now, more than 300 test were carried out, except one, all tested negative.
(ITALPRESS/MNA)

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Source: medNews

Turkey, 52 million visitors in 2019

According to official data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat), Turkey hosted 51.9 million visitors in 2019, reaching a record number, an increase of 13.7% compared to the previous year. The country hosted foreign visitors for 86.2% and Turkish citizens residing abroad for the remaining 13.8%. According to statistics, tourism revenues reached $ 34.5 billion in 2019 compared to $ 29.5 billion in 2018, an increase of 17%. Average per capita spending stood at $ 666 in 2019, compared to $ 647 in 2018.
(ITALPRESS/MNA).

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Source: medNews

Covid-19, 3 Maltese quarantined but no positive case yet

In Malta, there have not been any registered case of COVID-19 as yet (the Coronavirus from China) but three persons have been quarantined as a precautionary measure, and are being followed by the public health authorities. This was confirmed by the Vice-Prime Minister and Minister for Health Chris Fearne.

The three Maltese nationals have been placed in quarantine upon their arrival to Malta after being on a cruise liner where passengers were confirmed to have contracted the coronavirus. The Maltese were passengers on the cruise liner MS Westerndam that was refused harbour from five different countries in 11 days until the ship was allowed in Cambodia on 13th February.

Meanwhile a national centre in Luqa, close to the airport, was set up for persons who arrive in Malta from countries that are considered as hazardous for spreading the disease COVID-19. These persons would be examined, with the test results being provided in two hours time. The screening of passengers coming from high-risk areas is also available at the cruise liner terminal in Valletta. An isolation unit with 12 beds has been set up in a building outside Mater Dei Hospital and the number of beds in the hospital’s own isolation unit have been increased.

However, the Minister of Health declared that the coronavirus will eventually hit Malta, but added that Malta is well prepared for any eventuality. “Malta is not immune to the virus as we are part of the world and we are no different from other countries. I cannot say if the virus will hit us tonight or what will happen tomorrow or next month. Malta is part of the world and yes there is the possibility for our country to report cases of coronavirus. I cannot say Malta will not be hit by this virus.”  He continued explaining that for the virus to be transmitted it is very easy and we cannot ban people from travelling to Malta. Information campaigns with recommendations on personal hygiene soon will follow, according to the Minister of Health.

He said that Malta has prepared for every eventuality if a coronavirus case is reported and that health officials are also taking all the measures and precautions so that we limit or better eliminate the risk for the virus to hit Malta. Health authorities are monitoring closely cases of people who have recently travelled to China by asking them to check their temperature twice a day. Also, health authorities are following up with daily phone calls.

Meanwhile, regular communication is being kept with the World Health Organisation, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the EU Health Security Committee. Malta Public Health authorities are also participating in regular teleconferences for all EU member states where updates are given and advice on actions to take.

Leading the fight against the coronavirus is a Maltese physician, Dr Gauden Galea who is the World Health Organisation’s representative to China since April 2018. He says that although the number of coronavirus cases are dropping down, there is no certainity that the outbreak is contained until the incubation period is over.

The University of Malta is recommending that visits from academic staff and researchers from China be postponed in light of the new virus from China. The University of Malta is advising staff and students against travel to China due to the coronavirus outbreak. “We also recommend that planned visits, particularly short-term visits by academic staff and researchers from China are postponed for the time being,” said the University.

(ITALPRESS/MNA)

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Source: medNews

Cyprus uses 37% res for heating and cooling

Cyprus is among Europe’s top 10 countries for using renewable energy sources for heating and cooling, latest Eurostat figures show.In 2018, renewable energy accounted for 21% of the total energy used for heating and cooling in the EU, it was much higher in Cyprus at 37%.Among EU countries Cyprus was eighth for using renewable energy in this field while it was 30% in Greece (13th).According to Eurostat, the total EU share has increased steadily since the beginning of the data collection in 2004, when the share was 12%.Cyprus has also steadily introduced a higher share of renewable energy as 10 years ago it was only 14.47%.Increases in industry, services and households have all contributed to the growth in renewable energy used for heating and cooling.Sweden stood out among EU states with almost two thirds (65%) of the energy used for heating and cooling in 2018 stemming from renewable sources.More than half of the energy used for heating and cooling came from renewable energy sources in Latvia (56%), Finland (55%) and Estonia (54%).
In contrast, renewable sources contributed the least to heating and cooling in Ireland and the Netherlands (both 6%), Belgium (8%) and Luxembourg (9%).Renewable energy also includes derived heat and heat energy (from air, ground or water) captured by heat pumps. In 2018, such heat energy contributed more than one quarter (27%) of the energy from renewable sources used for heating and cooling.

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Source: medNews

Pope Francis to visit Malta

Pope Francis is expected to visit Malta in the coming weeks. This visit will be the fourth visit of Pope to Malta in the last 30 years. The visit will take place possibly before the summer and the official programme of the visit will include stops in Malta and Gozo.

Recently Pope Francis spoke twice about Malta. It is understood that the visit of Pope Francis will not be so long this time. The official announcement is expected imminently. Archbishop Charles Scicluna and Pope Francis talked about this visit when they met on the 30th of January.

Two weeks ago, Archbishop Charles Scicluna said in an interview he hoped that one day the Pope accepts an “open invitation” to visit Malta.

The Archbishop’s Curia said that the Maltese Bishops, are moved by the warm words towards the people of Malta which Pope Francis has recently uttered in various occasions.

The first Papal visit to Malta was in 1990 when St John Paul II spent almost 3 days in Malta.  This was followed by another visit by Karol Woytilain 2001 when he beatified Dun Ġorġ Preca, Sr Adeodata Pisani and Blessed Nazju Falzon. In 2010, Malta was again blessed by another papal visit, this time by Pope Benedict XVI, who, in 2007 had canonised St Ġorġ Preca.

(ITALPRESS/MNA).

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Source: medNews

ITALY IN FIRST PLACE IN TURKISH HAZELNUT IMPORT

According to information received from the Association of Hazelnut Exporters and Black Sea Products, Turkey, in 2019, exported hazelnut to 121 countries with 319 thousand 772 tons of hazelnuts and with an income of 2 billion 28 million and 727 thousand dollars. Most of the export was made to Italy. Italy ranked first among the major importing countries of Turkish hazelnuts. Germany, leader of the last 9 years, is in second place after Italy which has imported 83 thousand 898 tons of hazelnuts with a value of 547 million of 588 thousand dollars. Italy was followed by Germany and France. The export to Germany is 73 thousand 476 tons, in France 22 thousand 719 tons.
(ITALPRESS/MNA).

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Source: medNews

MALTA FA SIGNS PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT WITH FIGC

The Malta Football Association has signed an agreement with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), rubberstamping the long-standing partnership between the two national associations.
The sharing of knowledge and expertise on technical and organisational matters underpin the Memorandum of Understanding which falls within the paramaters of both FIFA and UEFA. It is intended to facilitate collaboration between the two national associations through exchange programmes involving managers and officials, technical experts, coaches, referees and players in several sectors, including:
• competitions organised by the respective organisations
• technical and educational initiatives
• exchanges of experience and expertise in the areas of construction and management of sports facilities, organisational procedures, sports science and sports medicine (focusing on football)
• women’s football
• youth football
• futsal
• football for persons with disability
• match officials
The MOU was signed by Malta FA President Bjorn Vassallo and General Secretary Dr Angelo Chetcuti, and Gabriele Gravina and Marco Brunelli, the President and General Secretary of the FIGC, at the Italian football federation’s headquarters in Rome. Francesco Ghirelli, the President of the Lega Pro, was also present for the signing of the MOU. Vassallo, the Malta FA President, hailed the signing of the MOU with the FIGC as an important development.
“I’m very pleased that we have finalised this MOU with the FIGC,” Vassallo said. “The Malta FA has always had a very good relationship with the FIGC and this agreement further strengthens this co-operation which should provide tangible benefits, in the process helping us to improve the level of our operations in several key areas. “It will provide new learning and knowledge-sharing opportunities for stakeholders from different sectors, both technical and organisational, with the ultimate aim being to enhance the skills and expertise of our workforce”.
FIGC President Gabriele Gravina shared Vassallo’s views. “This is an important document which rubberstamps the friendship between two national associations but also between two presidents,” Dr Gravina said. “We share Bjorn Vassallo’s approach to football development which also means a lot to us. This collaboration agreement will consolidate the relationship between our associations, two nations that have a common denominator… the willingness to do well and the desire to promote the footballing values”. The MOU provides for the creation of an exchange programme whereby Malta FA personnel will be given access to the expertise, courses and facilities of the FIGC in Rome and especially the FIGC Technical Centre in Coverciano. FIGC personnel will receive the same learning and knowledge-sharing opportunities in events and initiatives organised by the Malta FA. In addition, the two parties will engage in reciprocal consultation about specific issues and international relations, particularly those within FIFA.
(ITALPRESS/MNA).

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Source: medNews

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