There are have been two new confirmed cases of COVID-19 coronavirus in Malta, Health Authorities have confirmed.

This brings the total number of cases up to nine. Both got their cases after travelling abroad. All nine cases have been imported and there is yet to be a locally transmitted case.

One is a 29-year-old Belgian man who is a resident of Malta. He recently travelled to Belgium.

The second is a 27-year-old Maltese woman, she was recently in Berlin before making her way to Amsterdam before returning to Malta. She was not showing symptoms while on her trip.

Both did not follow self-quarantine to the letter upon their return, both briefly visiting their separate workplaces. Further tests of their colleagues are currently underway.

The woman’s flatmates are also being tested.

Checks are also underway for passengers who were on the same flights as the two persons.

If you believe you are suffering from the coronavirus, follow the following guidelines:

Stay indoors and avoid contact with other people, as you would with the flu.

Do not go to Mater Dei, the emergency department, health centres, private clinics, or pharmacies. Stay home and call the public health authority’s helpline 111.

If you are returning from an affected country, do not break self-quarantine rules or you will be subject to a 1000 euro fine.

You can call +356 21324086 for advice.

Avoid calling 112 unless it is a real emergency. That emergency line is crucial in saving lives in peril, and having it be flooded with calls on the coronavirus could have fatal consequences.