The Malta College of Pathologists has said that it is alarmed by the recent cluster of COVID-19 cases linked to a mass gathering event of a purely entertainment value.
14 new cases of the virus were registered today.
"As highlighted in previous public statements, COVID-19 is still very much with us - as much as we would wish it otherwise. Anyone who believes that the challenge from this virus is over, shows a disregard to history and obliviousness to the fundamental principles of infectious disease transmission. Just because we have thankfully experienced numerous days with no positive cases, does not in any way infer that the virus is defeated. Like all similar respiratory viruses, it is simply lying low... waiting for the right conditions to rear its frightening head; as last week's event clearly proves."
To this end, the College said that it continues to advise caution to policy makers and appeals to them to use science as the basis of their decision-making by undertaking proper, evidence-based, risk assessments.
"It is incomprehensible that mass gatherings like these weekend parties, as well as festa afternoon marches, are allowed to take place. If one were to design the ideal scenario to maximize COVID-19 spread, it would be these types of events. Large crowds of people, literally touching each other with no face coverings, in various degrees of inebriation and dispersing droplets liberally through shouting and singing. Our public health authorities have rightly insisted on social distancing and face coverings in supermarkets and buses - even in churches. Yet these mass gatherings offer a risk that is ten or even a hundred times higher; and they continue to take place with no real precautions other than a cursory temperature check at best... visually impressive but ultimately ineffectual because of well described super-spreading from asymptomatic individuals, especially the young."
The College said that it has consistently acknowledged that a balance must be reached between health and the economy. However, this should not be interpreted as a "free for all" where "anything goes" it said.
"Each and every permitted economic activity should be assessed to establish the risk of COVID-19 spread and its economic benefit to the country. It is difficult to accept how these type of mass gathering events can, in any way, be categorized as beneficial after such a risk assessment. For this reason, the College strongly encourages the authorities to review the situation and reverse approvals of mass gatherings where alcohol is likely to be consumed as well as properly enforce strict conditions of social distancing and face coverings in other types of mass gatherings - e.g. open air concerts - where people will be seated close to each other for hours."
The success of COVID-19 control in the past months did not occur by chance, the College said.
The College disagrees with whoever believes that our local interventions were in any way excessive. "Far from it! They were spot on, instituted at the right times and in the right measures. They were instrumental in avoiding, full-blown, harmful and prolonged shutdowns like those seen in England, Spain and Italy. They also allowed us to get back to a reasonable level of economic activity relatively quickly. However, all that work will be undone if we now let go of the reins and risk a second wave, like that being seen in many states within the USA. No matter how much we can say that a second lockdown is not on the cards, our politicians will have no choice but to implement one if cases recur in numbers and deaths start to take place... as the Australian state of Victoria has illustrated. This will bring infinitely more economic pain than disallowing a few mass gatherings over the summer."
The College continues to reiterate that adherence to science is the only way in which we can walk the COVID tightrope until a vaccine is hopefully available.re
"We have enough examples of politicians in other countries who have disregarded scientific advice, or treated it as scaremongering, to the detriment of their country. Thankfully this could not be said of our decision makers during the spring months. That attitude needs to continue throughout the summer and into the autumn. We cannot afford to let our guard down or to be complacent. The consequences, if we do, are too troubling to contemplate."