Eighty-two new COVID-19 cases were detected between Tuesday and Wednesday while five more patients died, as Malta’s virus death toll tipped over 200.

Statistics provided by the Health Ministry noted that 132 virus patients recovered overnight. 

The new cases were detected from 2,609 swab tests, resulting in a positivity rate of 3.14 per cent. The positivity rate indicates what share of tests turn out to be positive.  

A graphic published by the Health Ministry to share details about new virus cases listed 201 COVID-19 deaths – five more than were listed on Tuesday’s graphic.

The five people who died were aged between 66 and 85.

A 66-year-old woman died at her home on 21 December but tested positive for COVID-19 after her death. Another 66-year-old contracted the virus on 4 December. He died at the Saint Vincent de Paule home for the elderly.

A 69-year-old man died at Mater Dei on Tuesday after testing positive for COVID-19 on December 13. An 82-year-old woman also died at Mater Dei hospital on Tuesday, 11 days after contracting the virus.

The fifth victim was an 85-year-old man who tested positive on December 17 and died on Tuesday at the Good Samaritan facility.

According to the data, there were 1,498 active virus cases in the country as of 12.30pm on Wednesday. 

Superintendent for Public Health Charmaine Gauci was holding a weekly briefing about the COVID-19 situation in Malta when data was released.