Despite living on an island bang in the heart of the region, most Maltese do not follow the Mediterranean diet, according to people who work in the industry.
Though the Mediterranean diet has again just been voted the ‘best diet for 2021’, the majority of Maltese prefer to resort to an abundance of fried and fatty foods, injected with too much sugar content, according to chefs and health experts.
“Unfortunately, in Malta, food is considered a treat, a feast, just something to fill us up,” private chef Karl Mallia said.
“We seem to have forgotten that food is our nutritional way to keep our body in top condition. We tend to eat a very unbalanced diet – a lot of fried stuff, lots of fatty items, lots of sweets and we also drink a lot of sugary drinks and alcohol. The Maltese also love their large portions.”
Prime Minister Robert Abela on Sunday ruled out going for a general election before Labour’s 2017 electoral manifesto has been fully implemented. 
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BREAKING: First Cases of UK-Variant of COVID-19 Registered in Malta
Malta has officially registered its first cases of the UK-variant of coronavirus, as Health Minister Chris Fearne announced on Twitter.
UK #coronavirus variant registered in Malta. Cases are isolated and contacts quarantined. Stay vigilant, stay responsible, stay safe.
Fearne also stated that the cases are all isolated and their contacts have been quarantined too. Meanwhile, he urges the public to stay vigilant, responsible, and safe.
An exact number of cases of the new variant was not revealed, nor were they exposed to the virus. However, Superintendent for Public Health Charmaine Gauci will be addressing a weekly briefing this afternoon, where details will likely be given out.
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.