The worldwide coronavirus case count has passed 3 million in a new grim milestone. The US remains the virus’ global hub followed by Spain, Italy, France, Germany, UK, Turkey, Iran, and Russia as other majorly affected countries. The number of lives claimed by Covid-19 has jumped over 211,000 while recoveries are approaching 1 million.
But, the countries hit worst by the outbreak are now seeing some flattening on their virus charts, hinting at the possibility of their peak having passed. These new trends are giving some countries the courage to cautiously eye exit from virus lockdowns. Countries like Spain, Italy, New Zealand, China, Iran, and others have already begun to take baby steps towards normalcy. Even the US has begun charting a path out of the pandemic lockdown.
In Pakistan, the case numbers have touched 14,000 with deaths approaching 300. Although the outbreak is seeing a constant climb in the country, some experts and government officials maintain that its intensity here is low compared to other countries. The same thoughts were expressed by PM Imran Khan on Monday while presiding over a meeting on impact of Covid-19 on the country’s social fabric and economy.
Here are the latest updates:
Federal Cabinet approves relief package of worth Rs75b for daily wagers
Federal Cabinet approves relief package of worth Rs75b for daily wagers,who lost their jobs due to coronavirus pandemic@ImranKhanPTI @PakPMO @PTIofficial @MoIB_Official @demp_gov https://t.co/rRR2cDkNPh pic.twitter.com/w2o9D1kalK
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) April 28, 2020
President Alvi spots violation of SOPs in Islamabad mosque
I went to 4 mosques on Lehtrar Rd (rural Islamabad). In one mosque we saw major violations. Jamaat was on the carpet without social distancing and no masks. MNA-52 Khurrum Nawaz was with me. Have informed the DC & Minister of Religious Affairs for action. https://t.co/GZKZE635T4 pic.twitter.com/nyJ2ynG8SO
— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) April 28, 2020
Lahore gets a drive-through coronavirus test
In a bid to increase the testing capacity in the city and shield the staff from the coronavirus, Chughtai Lab in Lahore has established a drive-through testing facility. It will facilitate the people who want to take the test for the virus.
In an official press statement, the lab said they have set up the facility to guarantee safety as well as limit the exposure of its staff to the virus. The statement added that the new lab has been set up in DHA Lahore and will allow people to be tested within the comfort and safety of their own cars.
Read full story here.
Germany infections pick up again after lockdown easing
German medical experts warned the public to stay disciplined Tuesday after official data offered a mixed picture on the battle against the novel coronavirus since Europe’s biggest economy began a cautious easing of lockdown measures.
First signs that transmission of the novel #coronavirus has again picked up are visible in German official data, just as the country attempts a cautious easing of its lockdown measures https://t.co/khraFZ0GAw pic.twitter.com/K9U8LiS5S0
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) April 28, 2020
Pakistan death toll climbs to 312
The number of deaths related to the novel coronavirus in Pakistan has reached 312.
The numbers saw a fresh spike after new deaths were reported from Sindh and Punjab.
50 stranded Pakistanis return from Colombo
#PHC Colombo coordinated the successful return of 50 stranded Pakistanis via SriLankan Airlines flight #UL1185 that left Colombo today morning at 0700 hrs. Deputy High Commissioner,Mr Tanvir Ahmad was present on behalf of the HC to see off Pakistanis at #BIA. @ForeignOfficePk pic.twitter.com/zTDtkU0bG1
— Pakistan High Commission Sri Lanka (@PakinSriLanka) April 28, 2020
Second tranche of ADB funded supplies arrive in Islamabad
The 2nd tranche of ADB-funded COVID-19 supplies reached Pakistan on 27 April. Chairman @ndmapk and CEO @ndrmf recieved the testing kits & other life saving medical equipments at Islamabad Int'l Airport Cargo. #Pakistan #coronavirus #COVID19Pandemic @eadgop @pid_gov @PakPMO pic.twitter.com/tlCrRuKvhS
— ADBPakistan (@PakistanADB) April 28, 2020
Coronavirus causing rare disease in children: Report
Healthcare authorities in the United Kingdom have alerted pediatricians that COVID-19 might be associated with a rare disease in children that causes blood vessels to become inflamed and may lead to heart disease.
National Health Service (NHS) has reported more than a dozen cases in which severely ill children were admitted to intensive care after exhibiting overlapping symptoms of toxic shock syndrome and Kawasaki disease. Most of the children were tested positive for COVID-19 as well. No deaths have been reported among them so far.
Read full story here.
Sindh to award marks using previous results if board exams are canceled
Sindh education authorities have come up with an average mark awarding formula for matriculation and intermediate students, in case examinations get canceled due to the coronavirus.
The decision was taken during a meeting of Inter Board Committee of Chairman (IBCC) on Monday. It was convened to discuss the way forward during the ongoing situation and was attended by the representatives of seven education boards in Sindh.
Read full story here.
Suspected Covid-19 patient commits suicide in a Karachi hospital
A suspected coronavirus patient in Karachi has committed suicide after being kept in the isolation ward without confirmation of the disease.
As per details, a resident of Landhi was brought to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) on Sunday night with complaints of fever and chest pain. As per the standard procedure, he was tested for the virus while his X-rays were also taken before being shifted to the isolation ward.
The man spent the night protesting against the move, claiming that he did not have the contagious virus.
Read full story here.
Austria loosens lockdown further, allowing gatherings of up to 10 people
Austria is loosening its general lockdown rules by allowing gatherings of up to 10 people, Health Minister Rudolf Anschober said on Tuesday.
The rules, which include guidance that the public only leave their homes for a limited number of reasons including shopping or exercise, are due to expire on April 30. Anschober told a news conference there was no need to extend them.
-Reuters
Five worst countries hit by coroanvirus
Latest data from the 5 worst-hit countries by #COVID19 on Tuesday:
🇺🇸US: 988,451 confirmed, 56,245 deaths
🇪🇸Spain: 229,422 confirmed, 23,521 deaths
🇮🇹Italy: 199,414 confirmed, 26,977 deaths
🇫🇷France: 165,964 confirmed, 23,327 deaths
🇩🇪Germany: 158,758 confirmed, 6,126 deaths pic.twitter.com/DTCT3cQaCl— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) April 28, 2020
4 die after consuming hand sanitizer
As many as four persons were killed after consuming hand sanitizer for the purpose of alcohol in Bhatta Number 1 area here on Monday.
According to police sources, four persons identified as Haroon Masih, Robin Masih, Shaukat Masih and Rauf Masih drunk hand sanitizer for the purpose of alcohol and fell unconscious. They were rushed to Bahawal Victoria Hospital where all of them expired.
However, the brother of Shaukat Masih told the police that his brother was a patient of diabetes and had died after the level of diabetes dropped in his body while the heirs of Rauf Masih submitted that he had died due to cardiac arrest.
China says Indian criticism of coronavirus test kits is ‘irresponsible’
China has criticised India’s decision to stop using Chinese testing kits for the novel coronavirus because of quality issues as unfair and irresponsible, in the latest strain in their ties.
The Indian Council of Medical Research, the top agency dealing with the coronavirus outbreak, said on Monday (April 27) it planned to return the kits for antibody tests procured from two Chinese firms because of poor accuracy.
The Chinese embassy said it was deeply concerned by the Indian decision and Chinese authorities had validated the equipment produced by the two firms, Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech and Zhuhai Livzon Diagnostics.
-Reuters
PML-N Senator Mirza Afridi tests positive for coronavirus
May Senator Mirza Afridi recover soon from this virus. He has tested positive and has self-quarantined immediately. Just spoke to him, and he sounded positive. He is young, normally very active and can fight this off inshallah 🙏
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) April 28, 2020
Arab doctor leads Israeli hospital’s anti-virus fight.
Arab doctor leads Israeli hospital's anti-virus fight.
Doctor Khitam Hussein heads the outbreak response at the Rambam Hospital near Haifa, the largest hospital in northern Israel.
The country has registered over 15,000 COVID-19 caseshttps://t.co/F4ntfBTyiQ
📸 Ahmad Gharabli pic.twitter.com/uHyvIGcioY
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) April 28, 2020
Are hospital cleaners the forgotten essential workers of the coronavirus pandemic?
Are hospital cleaners the forgotten essential workers of the #coronavirus pandemic? pic.twitter.com/mQMCmPMpFr
— AJ+ (@ajplus) April 28, 2020
Praying for Governor Imran Ismail’s speedy recovery from COVID19: PM Imran
Praying for Governor Imran Ismail's speedy recovery from COVID19. May Allah grant him the strength to fight this.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 28, 2020
New Zealand’s Level-4 lockdown restrictions to ease this week: Jacinda Ardern
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_fmEMEqzmS/
Worshippers attend Ramadan prayers while respecting social distancing restrictions
VIDEO: Muslim worshippers attend Ramadan prayers while respecting social distancing restrictions next to the Kaaba in Mecca's Grand Mosque.
Saudi Arabia has partially lifted its curfew but says it will maintain a round-the-clock lockdown in the holy city of Mecca pic.twitter.com/BhR18xmurA
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) April 28, 2020
Pandemic far from over: WHO chief
The coronavirus pandemic is “far from over” and is still disrupting normal health services, especially life-saving immunisation for children in the poorest countries, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday.
The U.N. agency is concerned about rising numbers of cases and deaths in Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America and some Asian countries, even as the numbers flatten or decline in some wealthier nations.
WHO chief says pandemic far from over, worried about children https://t.co/sQeEVI0Q5q pic.twitter.com/PVOWHU7xvy
— Reuters World (@ReutersWorld) April 27, 2020
Governor Sindh Imran Ismail tests positive for coronavirus
I have just been tested Covid 19 positive, Allah Kareem inshallah will fight it out. @ImranKhanPTI thought us to fight out the most difficult in life and I believe this is nothing against what we r prepared for. May Allah give strength to fight this Pandemic inshallah.
— Imran Ismail (@ImranIsmailPTI) April 27, 2020
Coronavirus lingers in air of crowded spaces, new study finds
The new coronavirus appears to linger in the air in crowded spaces or rooms that lack ventilation, researchers found in a study that buttresses the notion that Covid-19 can spread through tiny airborne particles known as aerosols.
At two hospitals in Wuhan, China, researchers found bits of the virus’s genetic material floating in the air of hospital toilets, an indoor space housing large crowds, and rooms where medical staff take off protective gear. The study, published Monday in the journal Nature Research, didn’t seek to establish whether the airborne particles could cause infections.
The question of how readily the new virus can spread through the air has been a matter of debate. The World Health Organization has said the risk is limited to specific circumstances, pointing to an analysis of more than 75,000 cases in China in which no airborne transmission was reported.
Global coronavirus cases surpass 3 million
Global coronavirus cases surpass 3 million, according to a Reuters tally https://t.co/AAkOKijevh
— Reuters (@Reuters) April 27, 2020
Advisory issued to all Media Houses for protection of workers: DC Islamabad
Advisory issued to all Media Houses for taking steps for protection of their workers who are working in hazardous conditions yet profoundly neglected. They must be provided with appropriate protection gears. We have provided some support to the reporters but more is required. pic.twitter.com/43HV3S2qOa
— Office of Deputy Commissioner Islamabad (@dcislamabad) April 27, 2020
For our coronavirus coverage from April 27, click here.
