Elderly people in line to receive a COVID-19 vaccine were left confused and frustrated on Friday as tensions soared at health centres.
Healthcare workers are currently vaccinating people aged 85 and over who live within the community, with those eligible for a vaccine receiving appointments in the post.
But that appointment system has run into logistical problems, with complaints about delays, no-shows and poor organisation at health centres.
Video: Joe Paolella
Frustration was especially vociferous at Floriana and Gżira health centres, with dozens of senior citizens and their relatives saying the system to get the long-awaited jab was disorganised, with many having no choice but to wait outdoors, often with no social distancing measures.
[WATCH] COVID-19: 191 new cases, two deaths registered
COVID-19 update for 8 January | 2 deaths • 191 new cases, 77 recoveries • 2,047 active cases • Swab tests past 24 hours 3,639
8 January 2021, 12:22pm
by Karl Azzopardi / Laura Calleja
Public health superintendent Charmaine Gauci
Active cases stand at 2,047, after two deaths were registered. Total cases stand at 13,967.
The country has once again reached the 2,000 active cases mark for the first time since the beginning of December.
The first death was an 84-year-old woman who was confirmed positive on 25 December, and died at Mater Dei Hospital on Friday.
The second death was a 77-year-old woman who was confirmed positive on 20 December and dies at the Saint Vincent de Paule residence on Friday.
[WATCH] Government confirms existence of advice from top health official on schools reopening, MUT says
The Malta Union of Teacher says that during talks with government on Thursday evening, it was confirmed that a top health official did communicate with the education authorities about schools reopening despite previous denials
8 January 2021, 10:50am
by Laura Calleja
The MUT ordered a two-day strike after government refused to allow State schools to start the term by going online in the wake of a COVID-19 spike
The Malta Union of Teacher claimed that during talks with the goverment, it was confirmed that there was a communication between the health authorities and the education ministry as to whether schools should reopen.
COVID-19 UK variant registered in Malta, Health Minister announces
UK COVID-19 variant registered in Malta for first time • Cases have been isolated and relatives placed in quarantine
30 December 2020, 10:19am
by Karl Azzopardi
In a tweet, Fearne said the cases have been isolated, and their contacts quarantined.
He called on people to stay vigilant, responsible and safe.
UK #coronavirus variant registered in Malta. Cases are isolated and contacts quarantined. Stay vigilant, stay responsible, stay safe. Chris Fearne (@chrisfearne) December 30, 2020
Malta has recently restricted flights between Malta and the United Kingdom. Non-Maltese nationals and non-residence permit holders will only be able to come to Malta if they are travelling for essential reasons and only after obtaining authorisation from the Public Health Superintendent in Malta prior to boarding.
Looking back at 2020 | Coronavirus, a changed Malta, and a tale of two waves
How Malta lost control over the second wave but avoided a devastating viral tsunami
28 December 2020, 7:30am
by James Debono
If there was one day which captured the collective spirit of the nation as it struggled against the virus, it was the collective display of appreciation for front-liners on 17 March, when thousands took to their balconies to applaud doctors and nurses keeping the country safe, during the weeks of partial lockdown.
Despite a spike in cases and deaths since the start of a deadly second wave in mid-August, the resilience and efficiency of the Maltese national health service remained a constant all through a challenging year. It was a reminder that after decades of neoliberal orthodoxy, efficiency and public ownership were not antithetical. Indeed, never before has the spirit of public service and nationalised services proven more crucial.