Outbreak in Malta, “at least 120 Italian children in quarantine”

There are currently about 120 Italian children, positive or in quarantine, who are currently in a Covid hotel in Malta. This was announced by the Italian ambassador in Valletta, Fabrizio Romano, interviewed by Adnkronos on the situation in Malta, where in recent days there has been a worrying increase in the number of Covid infections, especially among students of language schools. “At the moment, most of the students and other positive young people are in a dedicated Covid hotel – explains the ambassador – There are other cases and contacts of positive individuals known to us in quarantine in other receptive structures; at the moment, overall , we are talking about 120 individuals. This is the photograph so far: it is likely that we will receive further reports “. With regard to the assistance that the embassy is providing to fellow countrymen, the ambassador specifies that “on the basis of these reports and direct contacts with the structures, we are maintaining an updated mapping, paying particular attention to the structures that host groups of young people who have arrived. in Malta for language courses “. “Notwithstanding – he concludes – that the management of people in isolation, both the positives and those who have had contact with the previous two categories. Are entrusted to the care of the staff and health facilities existing here”. Since the beginning of last week in Malta there is “a worrying upward trend in infections, starting from a situation of zero cases recorded in the previous weeks”. The Maltese government to ban non-vaccinated Covid entry from next week and temporarily close the English-language schools, where the main outbreaks of the island have been registered in recent days. “It is true that Malta has one of the highest rates of EU vaccination – continues the ambassador – However, today, Saturday 10th, 109 new cases of Covid 19 infection were recorded in Malta (with about 3000 swabs carried out), the highest number of cases since the end of last March “. Numbers that confirm precisely the upward trend that led the government of Valletta to adopt, as the first EU country, the measure which provides that” starting from July 14, access to the Archipelago will only be possible in possession of a certificate certifying the completion of the vaccination cycle for at least two weeks “. For the ambassador, the consequences and the impact, in full tourist season, of this measure” must be measured according to the country of origin and the number vaccinated people from that country. Access to Malta is certainly not forbidden – he finally stressed – but it will be allowed on the basis of the criteria I have already listed “.