The Maltese health authorities are following developments and monitoring the evolving global situation of COVID-19 closely, and surveillance and containment measures for the outbreak of COVID-19 are continuously being enhanced. In line with the recommendation issued by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control today, the 2nd March, laboratory testing for COVID-19 will be performed for patients who are suffering from acute respiratory tract infection with sudden onset of cough, fever or shortness of breath and who have been in countries within which local transmission of COVID-19 has been reported in the previous 14 days.
These countries and regions include:
Western Pacific Region
China, including Hong Kong
Republic of Korea
Japan
Singapore
Australia
Malaysia
Vietnam
European Region
Italy
France
Germany
Spain
The United Kingdom
Norway
Croatia
Netherlands
San Marino
South East Asian Region
Thailand
Eastern Mediterranean Region
Iran
United Arab Emirates
Region of the Americas
Canada
United States of America
People with these symptoms who have returned from these countries within the last 14 days should call their doctor or the COVID-19 helpline on 21324086. They are advised to refrain from visiting doctors’ clinics, health centres or the casualty department in the first instance.
The recommendation for self-quarantine remains for those countries and regions where there is high sustained transmission which are as previously notified:
- Northern part of Italy – Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto and Emilia Romagna
- China, including Hong Kong
- Singapore
- Japan
- Iran
- South Korea
The general public are reminded to take the necessary precautions for prevention of respiratory infections:
Clean: Clean hands often by washing with soap and water or using alcohol hand rub.
Contain: Contain germs by staying at home if unwell; do not go to work or school until one is better. Do not visit patients in hospital if you are sick.
Cover: Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze into bare hands. Do not leave tissues running around
Do not sneeze or cough into your hands as you may contaminate objects or people that you touch.
For more information, the general public can call the COVID-19 helpline on 21324086 or visit the website covid19.gov.mt.