Health Minister Chris Fearne has ruled out introducing any additional restrictions to combat COVID-19 for the coming summer, saying that the current number of new infections is no cause for concern. 

Fearne was answering questions after inaugurating a government clinic in Marsascala. 

He said that the government had never had a zero Covid policy, however desirable a situation of new cases was, and the goal had always been to maintain resources and provide the best care possible in hospitals.

“The number of cases in hospital is low and at the moment it doesn’t worry us,” he said.

“At this stage, by which I mean for the coming summer, we don’t see the need to introduce any additional measures to mitigate the impact of COVID-19.” 

Case numbers have been creeping up in the past few weeks. On Thursday 153 new COVID-19 cases were reported on Thursday with 44 patients in hospital, four in intensive care.   

The new clinic, in St Anne’s gardens, will open its doors to patients from next Monday.

Serving some 15,000 residents, the clinic will provide nurse-led services as well as an on-call doctor, podiatry, physiotherapy, speech language pathology and blood testing services. 

Aid for Ukraine 

The minister also announced that the national health service had four ongoing initiatives for humanitarian aid to Ukraine, with 150 pallets of medical aid making their way to Ukrainian patients from Malta.

These will contain medicine antibiotics, protective gear as well as disposable equipment used in operating theaters. 

Malta’s health service will also be taking five Ukrainian cancer patients and providing them with oncology services at Sir Anthony Mamo hospital. It is working with the World Health Organization to send COVID-19 testing kits and vaccines to Ukrainians. 

Together with Puttinu Cares, the authorities have also pledged to arrange housing for Ukranian patients who are receiving medical care in London.