Two elderly people, who were residents at care homes, have died after testing positive for COVID-19.

The 91-year-old man and 74-year-old woman both died on Wednesday night, bringing Malta's coronavirus death toll to 27.

Malta has now the third-highest death rate per 100,000 people in the EU, according to a list updated on Thursday by the European Centre of Disease Control.

Spain has recorded 3 deaths per 100,000 people over the last two weeks, Romaina has recorded 2.7, while Malta is next, at 2.2. 

The 74-year-old woman, who tested positive on September 15, is understood to have been a resident at the San Guzepp home in Fgura, which is tackling an outbreak. 

Almost half of the residents there have tested positive for the virus and at least one relative has claimed negligence. 

The second victim, a 91-year-old man, tested positive on September 14. He is believed to have been a resident at Casa Antonia in Balzan. 

The Health Ministry expressed its condolences in a statement announcing their deaths on Thursday.

Malta has seen a sharp rise in the number of deaths from the virus, which is a particular risk for older adults.