It is important to follow official reports when it comes to the COVID-19 numbers and not for people to shoot out numbers, Economy Minister Silvio Schembri told The Malta Independent.

“The media play a vital role in the dissemination of information. Today alone we had people saying random numbers out load as if we were playing bingo. We have the official report, let us follow that and stop sharing different sources as this makes people confused of what to believe. Let us stick to the official report.”

On Wednesday, the Health Authorities announced that there are 49 new patients tested positive for the virus. This means that Malta now has 486 active cases and 1190 total cases. The positive cases were detected from a record 2,200 swab tests.

However, it had been rumoured that there would be over 70 new cases reported, which would have been a daily record – a rumour which was picked up by the Medical Association of Malta and a page which claims to provide exclusive information about the pandemic.

“We need to control this wave and not add more stress to the public health centre. Yes there are people in hospital but the numbers are within the reach of the public health centre. We must continue to follow the measures which are in place, which are continuing social distancing and wearing a mask,” said Schembri.

Throughout giving the comment he himself continued to re-arrange his mask, until mid-way through giving his comment he took it off.

When asked whether the government will continue implementing further restrictive measures, Schembri said that the government has been closely following the advice of the health authorities. “We have authorities who know what they are doing; the Superintendent of Public Health, Health Ministry and other ministries have come together to work hard and provide the results we have seen. Now is not the time to doubt their work.”

Transport Minister Ian Borg was also asked whether there will be further restrictions on the opening of ports, where he said that the Ministry will be following close discussions with the Health Authorities.