The number of visits to the GU clinic decreased by over a third last year, in what could be an effect of Covid-19 on dating and relationships.

Information tabled in Parliament on Wednesday shows that the number of visits to the Genitourinary Clinic in 2020 was 4,718. The previous year, there were almost 7,500 visits.

The numbers had been increasing significantly since 2019, when less than 4,000 people visited the clinic. But it seems that the partial lockdown, the restrictive measures and the fear of getting the virus has had an effect on casual dating.

In his answer to Therese Comodini Cachia (PN), Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne said that some people attended more than once.

Replying to another question, Fearne said GU clinic services are currently only offered at Mater Dei Hospital, but there are plans to extend these service to the community clinics and health centres.

Comodini Cachia also asked the Deputy PM whether there are any plans to introduce the contraceptive pill to the government lisdt of essential medicine. Fearne simply said the government is working on a holistic strategy on sexual health.

The PN MP also asked how many HIV tests had been administered per month since May 2020, and how many positive cases had been identified.

Fearne replied that 14,335 tests have been carried out since May 2020, and 62 positive cases were found.