Risk of COVID-19 for people with HIV (Update)
Since our joint statement on 18 March 2020 was posted, the European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS) and British HIV Association (BHIVA) issued a revised statement on the 20 March 2020 in which they explain that there is ‘no evidence for a higher COVID-19 infection rate or different disease course in people with HIV than in HIV-negative people’. People on effective HIV treatment and who have a normal CD4 T-Cell count and a suppressed viral load are not at increased risk, however the risk does increase with age, male gender, and certain chronic medical problems including cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
It is important to note that EACS and BHIVA make it clear that immune suppression, which is typically seen when there is a low CD4 T-Cell count of less than 200/µ, and with no antiretroviral treatment, is associated with an increased risk for a more severe disease presentation. This does not mean that individuals on effective treatment and with a high CD4 T-Cell count should ignore the important guidelines being set by the authorities.
As per our previous statement appointments at MOP4 are still being held regularly but the situation is being monitored. You will receive information from the staff if there are any changes. The wonderful people at MOP4 have offered to reply to queries you may have about this situation. We would like to extend our gratitude to them for the work they do, especially in the current circumstances.
Do not take the risk of COVID-19 lightly. This is not a normal influenza virus, and the reaction to it by government authorities is NOT exaggerated. This information page by the World Health Organisation addresses misconceptions about the virus.
Sexual Contact
These are extraordinary times, which require us to give unusual and extraordinary advice. More people are working from home, and have become more isolated. If you are craving human contact, try to resist the temptation of meeting up. This is not being clearly said by the authorities but it may be safer to avoid meeting people unnecessarily, especially if there is body to body contact which is typical of sexual contact. Remember that the chances of COVID-19 transmission increase with close contact, including kissing and hugging, and authorities are suggesting keeping a distance of one to two metres in order to try and reduce transmission.
Testing and the GU Clinic
The GU Clinic at Mater Dei issued a statement stating that it has temporarily suspended appointments for molecular diagnostic testing (PCR), namely Chlamydia & Gonorrhea tests, for asymptomatic patients (no signs of symptoms) due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Blood tests are still being performed. Patients on PrEP can still get tested for HIV/Syphilis/Hepatitis test and renal function.
Online purchases of PrEP and HIV Treatment
As new travel restriction are imposed, and postage companies in Malta start to introduce some restrictions it cannot be assumed that the process to purchase treatment online will remain uninterrupted. Logistics and shipping companies such DHL, UPS and TNT/FedEX have announced that they are still fulfilling deliveries, including deliveries to Malta. However this could not be case for the company which supplies the medication. We would like to remind everyone that it is not advisable to overstock on medication.
We have personally checked and confirmed that stocks of PrEP in local pharmacies remain high. You may consider shifting to PrEP on Demand if that works for you, especially if you are keeping social and therefore sexual contact to a minimum, as is being suggested by authorities. Visit HIVMalta.com/PrEP to find out which pharmacies in Malta sell PrEP, and how to safely take PrEP on Demand.
Buying HIV Medication in Malta
Although stock of HIV medication at Mater Dei is normal, authorities are not currently selling HIV Medication. HIV Malta and Checkpoint Malta’s advice is that it is not safe to remain in Malta without access to HIV medication. We urge foreign nationals who are still in Malta and who are running out of HIV medication to make arrangements as soon as possible to return home. No flights to and from Malta are operating normally as at 20th March 2020. This means that in order to return home, you need to contact your country’s embassy or consulate in Malta and request assistance. A tourism helpline has been set up to assist people who are in Malta and require help to return to their home country.
HIV Malta and Checkpoint Malta
HIV Malta and Checkpoint Malta collaborate with one another in several circumstance. In view of the current circumstances however, the two movements will be in close collaboration in order to share responsibilities in the provision of regular and relevant updates. We will do our utmost to support you in the best way we can so please do get reach out and get in touch if you need our help. We are also in process of freeing some funds in order to create a small contingency reserve in case it is needed. We would like to reassure members of the community that HIV Malta and Checkpoint Malta are bound by strict data protection rules and confidentiality commitments, and at no point will there be an exchange, in any way or form, of any personal information.
