It’s Going To Get Worse Before It Gets Better: Public Health Professionals Join Calls For Stricter Measures
The Malta Association of Public Health Medicine has joined calls for the government to impose measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 as the country experiences another surge in cases with days to go before Christmas.
“MAPHM is alarmed at the high rate of new infections and admissions to hospital over the past days,” it said in a statement this morning. “This has resulted in an overwhelming surge on public health and hospital resources.”
It said that all health professionals that are a part of the healthcare system – from the people manning the 111 helpline and contact tracing department to nurses and doctors working in Mater Dei’s various wards – have faced a surge in cases which is “only going to increase over the coming days and weeks”.
“Like in previous surges, it is going to get worse before it gets better again. Allowing numbers to keep rising is likely to result in the hospital being unable to cope, requiring harder actions that would affect the whole population,” it warned.
MAPHM called for the introduction of stricter measures, while appealing to the public to adhere to all regulation and social distancing practices.
It appealed to the public to take the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, including booster shots. Children should also be vaccinated, MAPHM said.
Masks should always be worn, especially around other people and hands washed regularly.
Touching one’s face and month should be avoided, while anyone feeling sick should stay home and request a swab test.
MAPHM also called on the public to limit social events this Christmas and to avoid physical contact when visiting relatively.
Gatherings of more than four households should not take place, and eating out should be avoided.
Non-essential activities like going to cinemas, bars, cafes and gyms should also be kept to a minimum, MAPHM said.
Has the recent surge altered your Christmas plans?
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