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5 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 7 OCTOBER 2020 NEWS 47 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded on Tuesday, after 1,961 swab tests were carried out in the last 24 hours. Active cases stand at 522, with the total number of cases at 3,374. 42 recoveries were registered on Tuesday, bringing the total num- ber of recovered patients to 2,812. Deaths stand at 40, after a 90-year-old woman died late on Monday. The woman was admitted to hospital on 30 August and tested positive for COVID-19 on 30 Sep- tember. She continued being given treat- ment at hospital but died yesterday night. The ministry said the woman suf- fered from other health conditions. From yesterday's cases, 28 were family members of previously known cases, one was a direct con- tact of another positive case and three were contacts with positive work colleagues. Two were cases of a Paceville cluster and one was from social gatherings of other positive cases. 47 new cases of COVID-19 registered 90-year-old woman is 40th COVID-19 victim #KunResponsabbli Aħsel idejk Żomm id-distanza ma' dawn it-3 passi LAURA CALLEJA A hotline set up at the start of COVID-19 to deal with loneli- ness helped 7,861 persons be- tween March and September. The 1772 hotline was set up for people feeling alone, iso- lated, or just need someone to speak to. The information was given in parliament by Family Minister Michael Falzon, in response to questions raised by PN MP Ivan Bartolo, asking for information on how many people had used helpline services set up during the pandemic. The helpline was set up by the Ministry for the Family, Chil- dren's Rights and Social Soli- darity, and was run by Agenzija Sapport within the Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS). From March to June, the ser- vice was offered by all employ- ees of the foundation, while from June onwards the line has been amalgamated with the ex- isting line 179. Both of these helplines are offered 24 hours a day, all year round. Falzon said 1772 was set up to reach the most vulnerable peo- ple in society, suffering from loneliness during the pandemic, and therefore needed to talk to someone. He said 179 would continue to reach those cases of a more seri- ous and urgent nature. Howev- er, 1772 is still active and can be used when needed. Operators within the national line are also assisting 1772 callers. Helpline for elderly with mov- ability issues Falzon also revealed that 25903030, a helpline set up on 16 March to help the elderly and people with mobility diffi- culties received 10,360 as of 24 June 2020, after which date the number ceased to operate. However, he said despite the helpline ceasing to operate, per- sons who have still been calling this helpline have been trans- ferred to the Senior Service Centre. Assistance accessing social benefits Furthermore, Falzon revealed that 25903000, a helpline set up on 30 March, to assist persons who are benefiting from assis- tance offered by the Depart- ment of Social Security received 24,152 calls until it ceased to operate on 24 June. Falzon said persons who require help can call 153, anyone calling the closed helpline is being urged to call the Freephone 153 which offers the same type of aid. COVID-19: Loneliness helpline received 7,861 calls between March and September A helpline set up for people feeling alone and isolated at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic received 7,861 calls between March and September

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