Maltese hospitals are now operating a total of six intensive therapy units as healthcare workers are struggling to keep up with patients needing intensive care. According to information obtained by Times of Malta, a fourth COVID-19 ITU was also opened in the last hours. This is the second additional unit to be opened over the past two days.

Malta is currently on what is being called ‘quasi-lockdown’ as restaurants, schools, non-essential shops, gyms and contact sports have been shut down as a record number of cases was registered.

A healthcare worker who spoke to Times expressed concern at Malta’s hospital situation. “No space at all! What we were scared of last year is happening now. Doctors now have a very strict admission criteria. We are like Italy or Spain now,” the healthcare worker shared.

“Our fear is we might soon have to decide who deserves a bed and who doesn’t. Unfortunately, this will be our only option soon,” another shared.

Up until yesterday, Malta registered an additional 283 cases and now has 3,123 active cases. Four more people also passed away which means Malta’s death toll stands at 341.