Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1238637
23.04.2020 5 NEWS MALTA has registered one new case of COVID-19 over- night from a total of 808 tests. is brings the total number of cases since the pandemic broke out to 444. e new case is an 18-year-old woman, who had other family members who registered positive for COVID-19. Public Health Superinten- dent Charmaine Gauci said 15 more people recovered from the virus, bringing the total of recovered cases to 165. e number of active cases now stands at 276. 44 of the cases are healthcare workers or car- ers, she said. Prof. Gauci urged people to continue maintaining social dis- tance despite the low numbers, which she said tended to fluctu- ate from day to day because of Malta's small population. She said another 20 tests on residents at the Hal Far open centre resulted negative. e centre is currently in collective quarantine. ere is no sign of when the restrictive measures intended to impede the spread of the vi- rus will be relaxed, Prof. Gauci said. e Maltese health au- thorities are currently waiting for the opportune moment to do so, but "until then we must obey their advice," she said. She encouraged employers to explore options which would allow employees to telework in the meantime. "Do not go out unless really necessary." e Government was evalu- ating the use of surgical masks by the public, she said, how- ever there was a tendency for mask users to let their guard down and touch their face more when wearing masks. Asked about recent scientific evidence indicating that chil- dren are not as vulnerable to COVID-19 when compared to adults, she said that while it was a good sign that chil- dren are not being affected as much, they can still be asymp- tomatic carriers of the disease, and for this reason should not be allowed to meet their grandparents. Prof.Gauci reiterated her plea to the public to call the 111 helpline if they noticed any symptoms or were anxious about the disease. "It is important to under- stand that pandemics cause anxiety," she said, reminding the public that professional help was just a phonecall away. CORONAVIRUS One new case, 15 more recovered HSBC Malta Foundation is donating €30,000 to two NGOs currently aiding the most vulnerable in society and whose lives have been further complicated by the COVID-19 emergency. €15,000 is being donated to the Foodbank Lifeline Foun- dation, which has seen a fif- ty per cent increase in the number of families seeking assistance. A further €15,000 is being donated to Caritas Malta, which through its Diaconia and social work units also provides food and social sup- port to vulnerable families. e Foodbank Lifeline Foundation, which in normal circumstances feeds over 130 families and individuals every week, equivalent to over 15,950 family members per year, is now supporting around 300 families. ese additional numbers include previously registered clients, who have reached out to Foodbank Lifeline Founda- tion requesting help again. In addition to this increased demand for its services, Foodbank Lifeline Founda- tion has also had to change the way that it operates to safeguard the health and safety of both its volunteers and clients. As a result, it has consolidated operations into a single centre and follow- ing an agreement reached with a food delivery service, Foodbank continues to de- liver food to its clients while respecting social distancing. Similarly, Caritas Malta has had to adapt the way in which it works. is has been done to ensure that there is no physical contact as its volunteers, working hand- in-hand with Caritas staff, NGOs and Parish Diaconia teams, continue to distribute warm meals, which are being provided by a private foun- dation to those most in need. Simon Vaughan Johnson, HSBC Malta CEO Desig- nate, said: "e HSBC Mal- ta Foundation recognises that the number of people in need is on the rise as a result of the current situation and we hope that these donations will help make a difference to the more vulnerable mem- bers of our community. We are delighted to support the Foodbank Lifeline Founda- tion and Caritas Malta and the good work that their vol- unteers do for our commu- nity. HSBC is also offering the use of two of its electric vehicles for the distribution of meals, as part of our con- tribution to increasing the number of meals delivered each day to 700." Anthony Gatt, Director at Caritas Malta, said, "e HSBC Malta Foundation has made a significant con- tribution to our COVID-19 emergency response as a group of 40 volunteers, sup- ported by the Caritas Malta Diaconia Unit, continue to deliver hundreds of meals to the most vulnerable persons. HSBC's donation will also help us sustain persons who reach us through our four phone lines, operated by so- cial workers and counsellors, which we have opened to re- ceive help calls." Jane Mizzi, Board member and volunteer at the Food- bank Lifeline Foundation, said, "We are grateful for the support provided by the HSBC Malta Foundation at this difficult time for many vulnerable families. It is heartening to see that com- panies, like HSBC, under- stand the problems people are facing and are willing to make a real contribution to supporting those who need our solidarity most." HSBC Malta has also set- up the HSBC Family Support Group to provide essentials to employees, in case they are in quarantine and need medicines or groceries that they are not in a position to purchase themselves. HSBC Malta Foundation supports NGOs Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci Foodbank Lifeline Foundation continues sending food to its clients, whilst at the same time maintaining social distancing norms A group of 40 volunteers with the support of the Caritas Malta Diaconia Unit deliver hundreds of meals the most vulnerable