Updated 12.30pm, adds new cases

A total of 109 people tested positive for COVID-19 overnight and another 64 recovered, according to data published on Thursday. 

According to official health data, three people with COVID-19 died between Wednesday and Thursday, bringing up the virus' death toll to 219 since the pandemic reached Malta in March.

The victims are:

• An 83-year-old man who tested positive on December 5 died on Wednesday.
• A 67-year-old man who tested positive on December 26 died on Thursday.
• An 87-year-old woman who was confirmed positive on December 27, also died on Thursday.

Malta now has 1,434 active cases of coronavirus. 

The statistics come as more families and friends pay tribute to those lost to the pandemic.

The country on Wednesday registered its first three cases of the virus's UK variant, which is 70% more transmissible.

It embarked on a COVID-19 vaccination programme on Sunday, but doctors have called on the health authorities to speed up the process.

In her weekly news conference, Superintendent of Health Charmaine Gauci again warned against parties as a tombola event had put 70 elderly in quarantine.

She also announced that bars and clubs are to remain shut until February.

Meanwhile, pictures of hundreds of cars waiting in a long queue to board the Gozo ferries, also on Wednesday, drew a wave of anger on social media after reports of farmhouses being booked for house parties.

While Thursday's cases are still being investigated, out of Wednesday's 124 new cases:

• 35 have been traced to family clusters;
• 12 have been linked to other positive cases;
• 14 were traced to the workplace; and 
• 10 were in social gatherings with other positive cases.