COVID-19 cases resurface in China

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The health authorities in China received a warning shot as Jilin province's health commission reported three new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases on May 11, bringing the total during the past three days to 15.

One of the new cases was in Shulan, which has been categorized as a high-risk epidemic region since May 10, the only such area in the country. The other two cases were in Jilin's Fengman district, which raised its COVID-19 alert level from low to medium risk, the provincial epidemic control team said May 11 

A 45-year-old woman in Shulan, who was diagnosed on May 7, was tied to infections in several of her family members and others with whom she had close contact, according to the commission. 

A total of 276 related close contacts have been placed in quarantine, the commission said. All residential areas in Shulan have been locked down since May 9, the local epidemic control department revealed as families were allowed to send one member outside each day to make purchases. 

It has been made mandatory for the residents to register information and scan the health codes on their phones when entering and leaving communities, and masks and temperature checks are mandatory and the visitors were not allowed. 

On May 10, the China Railway Shenyang Group temporarily suspended train service between Shulan and some other cities, including Changchun, Jilin's capital. 

Changchun published notices on May 11 to residents who had traveled to Shulan after April 26. Anyone who returned to Changchun from Shulan has been advised to report to the authorities immediately to be placed under quarantine and to get tested for the coronavirus, a statement from Changchun's virus control and prevention department said.

Hawaii endangered by unemployment

By Syed Sajid Aziz in USA
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Hawaii, which used to be one of the topmost tourism destinations, is currently facing its highest unemployment rate ever due to strict stay-at-home orders and a virtual shutdown.

The state's once mighty tourism industry has nosedived already and the residents of Hawaii are under enormous pressure as they begin to run out of their savings to stay afloat. 

They are struggling to pay rent and feed their families as unemployment rate has soared from 3% to 34% which is one of the highest in the US. 

The coronavirus (COVID-19) has taken its toll here as the workers are being pushed out of their jobs in the absence of the tourists. 

"Our life is in danger because, of course, we don't know what will happen. There's no real hope for good things in the future," one of the affected locals bemoaned. 

According to reports, around 216,000 of the state's 660,000 workers were employed in jobs supported by tourism in 2019. Airline arrivals to Hawaii have slumped from more than 30,000 passengers per day to 756. 

Food service workers, who make up roughly 13% of all employees in the state and earn a median annual income of about $30,000, have lost wages as restaurants closed and hotels shuttered.

Coronavirus Update: Sindh tests 1,819 per million

By Mukhtar Alam
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

In its efforts to tackling COVID-19 disease, Sindh has been able to increase its laboratory tests further as the health authorities on May 10 declared that another 4,215 people were tested during the last 24 hours, out of which 709 were found positive for the virus. 

Sindh has been able to increase its overall number of COVID-19 tests in recent days but it is still behind the Islamabad and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) with a third position in terms of laboratory tests conducted per million population by provinces and territories of Pakistan. 

As of May 10, Sindh has 11,480 confirmed cases out of 91,323 tests in comparison of Punjab having tested 125,988 samples.

Punjab was fifth in the table of provinces and territories in the context of tests conducted per million while Baluchistan was at third position with 14,374 tests. 

According to data compiled by the World Health Organization (WHO), Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) topped the list of overall lab test /million population with the figure of 9,347, followed by GB (2,766), Sindh (1,819), Balochistan (1,164), Punjab (1,145), Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa (957), Azad Jammu Kashmir (687), while Pakistan overall covered 1,358 per million population. 

As of May 4, ICT had covered 6,331 per million, GB had 2,312, Sindh had 1,338, Punjab had 889, Balochistan had 836, Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa had 718 and AJK 551. Pakistan, overall a week back, was testing 1,018 per million. 

Keen observers said that number of tests conducted need to be increased further to benefit from the lockdown and various SOPs.

“Our strategy should be testing more and more and then quarantining and treating, which is the only way to fight COVID-19,” an expert observed, adding that at present tests are being used to confirm the obvious cases or more vulnerable population. 

In the meantime, another nine COVID-19 patients lost their lives in the province out of which eight, including three women, at Karachi, whose age ranged from 27 to 73 and a 70 year-year-old woman at Hyderabad, taking the tally of fatalities to 189 for the province. 

However, official sources did not share the place of deaths, patients’ dates of admissions to hospitals and date of infections. 

According to the health department routine summary, 583 new cases were detected in last 24 hours ending at 8 am on May 10, pushing the overall number of infections to 8,634 for the megapolis. 

Among other districts it was Hyderabad which reported the maximum 29, followed by Jacobabad (19), Shikarpur (16), Ghotki (12), Sanghar (11), Sukkur (6), Larkana (5), Shaheed Benazirabad (4), Khairpur (3), Jamshoro (3) and Tando Allahyar (2). 

As many as 2,081 recovered from the disease, while 1,139 were admitted in hospitals, including 78 in critical condition and 23 on ventilators, and 7,432 were taking the treatment either at their homes or at the designated isolation centres, it was further learnt.

Singer Betty Wright dies at 66

By Syed Sajid Aziz in USA
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Betty Wright, the singer-songwriter and producer best known for her 1971 soul-disco classic ‘Clean Up Woman’ died on May 10 at her home in Miami of cancer, the New York Times reported. She was 66.

Besides becoming a key player in the Miami funk sound of the ‘70s, she had remained a mainstay on the Billboard R&B chart as a lead singer, duet partner and background vocalist, placing 20 different singles in the R&B Top 40. 

She was on the R&B and dance charts until 2007 with ‘Baby’ which was a duet with the contemporary soul singer Angie Stone. She also featured in the R&B classics ‘Let Me Be Your Lovemaker’, ‘Shoorah Shoorah’, and ‘Tonight Is the Night.’ 

An early starter, she was barely 17 when her most famous hit ‘Clean Up Woman’ was released in 1971. The song reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, sold more than a million copies and came in as the No. 49 song of 1972, according to Billboard. 

Her illustrious career spanned nearly half a century with late ‘70s and early ‘80s being the most successful period. She was known to be an inspiration to many contemporary singers like Mary J Blige and Joss Stone.

UK eases restrictions, asking people to return to work

Pakistan News & Features Services

The British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, while making the announcement of easing restrictions on May 10, has called on people across the country to return to work if they cannot do so from home.

“We now need to stress that anyone who can't work from home, for instance those in construction or manufacturing, should be actively encouraged to go to work," he remarked while sharing his vision for gradually restarting the economy.  

In a pre-recorded televised statement, Johnson disclosed a road map to resuming activity in the country following more than six weeks under lockdown. 

He considered his plan as a cautious balance between keeping new infections down while easing the economic burden the pandemic has had on millions in the UK. 

"From this Wednesday (May 13) we want to encourage people to take more and even unlimited amounts of outdoor exercise. Social distancing measures would stay in place. You can sit in the sun in your local park, you can drive to other destinations, you can even play sports but only with members of your own household," he elaborated.

Coronavirus Update: Infections skyrocket in Sindh

By Mukhtar Alam
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Sindh, unable to see its COVID-19 curve flattened, got a big jolt again on May 9 when the authorities confirmed detection of 1,080 new infections, an all days’ highest figure in all the provinces and territories of the country. Earlier, Punjab had reported the all days’ maximum 956 new cases on May 7. 

Notably, Sindh reported its COVID-19 fatalities as four during the last 24 hours in contrast to the figures of last week, till April 9, when on average, at least eight people lost their lives every day across the province.

In a video message, the Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah, informed that in all 5,498 tests were conducted in the province during the last 24 hours ending at 8 am on May 9, out of which 1,080 were found positive for coronavirus, including a bulk new infections reported among the residents of Pir Jo Goth, a rural city in Khairpur district.

Terming the development a dreadful eruption of the virus, the Chief Minister disclosed that 246 new cases were found in a day in Pir Jo Goth. 

“Earlier on May 4, total number of 10 people were diagnosed as coronavirus positive after 35 people were tested while another 14 cases had popped up on May 6 when 97 other villagers were tested,” he added and expressed the suspicion that this local spread took in the area after death of a woman having the history of traveling to Hyderabad, who died before any testing for coronavirus. 

“At Karachi we have conducted some tests among people including the shopkeepers and vendors, at various shops and found some COVID positive cases.” he continued, describing it as a dangerous sign and demanded of the people to shun the lax attitude and not to go outdoors unnecessarily. 

He said that 101 of the patients (17.2%) were in critical condition, including 23 those who were on ventilators. 

In the meantime, according to the Sindh health department daily coronavirus summary, three patients, aged 27 to 70 years, including a woman died at Karachi, while a 45-year-old man died at Hyderabad. 

An official source said that three of the patients died at hospitals, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Indus Hospital and Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, while another one expired in the home isolation. 

The daily summary revealed that a maximum 691 new cases were detected in in Karachi, while another 266 in Khairpur, Sukkur (34), Ghotki (17), Larkana (17), Kashmore (8), Shaheed Benazirabad (7), Matiari (5), Mirpurkhas (4), Jamshoro (3) and Tando AllahYar (2). Thatta, Sanghar, Shikarpur and Jacobabad reported one case each. 

As many as 5,489 tests were conducted, pushing the total number of tests to 10,771 across the province. Another 80 patients recovered from illness, taking the total of the cured patients to 2,020.

People warned to be careful, vigilant during lockdown relaxation

By Mukhtar Alam
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Apparently unnerved by the federal government’s decision of easing out the coronavirus-related restrictions further across the country, the health policy executors in the Sindh government and the community of doctors working in the public and private sectors observed in Karachi on May 9 that only the citizens can now stop the epidemic from taking a turn for further human adversities in the country.

Originating from China’s Wuhan city the COVID-19 outbreak in the country has killed 636 men, women and children, including 180 in Sindh, and made 28,736 fall ill since February 26, in addition to jeopardizing lives of millions of common men, businesses and industries, education at all levels and other social and economic activities across the country. 

In a video statement, the Sindh health minister, Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, said that following the COVID-19 emergency, hospitals were running out of beds and ventilators. 

She candidly admitted that number of COVID-19 patients requiring the ventilator intervention was on increase at hospitals. “The number of patients is growing every 30 minutes in hospitals.” 

Talking about  the available intensive care and high dependency units at various government hospitals of Karachi, she however apprehended that since the lockdown measures were being relaxed the number of coronavirus patients could increase steeply, if people did not exercise precautions. 

She urged citizens to behave responsibly against COVID-19 and demonstrate utmost cares, particularly while meeting their elders, who are more vulnerable to the virus diseases in question.

At the same time, she mentioned that the government will make two blocks of 200 beds within its non-functional health project near the old NIPA round about by the end of May. 

At an emergent convened press conference at the PMA House, the leaders from doctors community, including some diseases specialists, said that now government had shifted all responsibilities on citizens, rather than revising its healthcare delivery policy and structures in the context of coronavirus epidemic. 

“In the given situation government’s decision to relax the lockdown is bound to add to the number of COVID-19 patients in the country. Now it is the responsibility of the governments to ensure implementation of standard operating procedures.” 

Those who spoke at the press conference included PMA’s central secretary, Dr S M Qaiser Sajjad, Dr Ikram Ahmed Tunio and Dr Sharif Hashmani of PMA, Dr Sohail Akhtar and Dr Azeemuddin of Pakistan Islamic Medical Association and other office bearers of the doctors’ bodies. 

“We need to be extremely careful and vigilant. We must prepare ourselves for the worst situation to come,” Dr Qaiser Sajjad warned.

He said that the federal government has in principle decided to ease out the corona related lockdown from May 9 in the country, on the other hand it is a known fact that the medical facilities and capabilities of the government are very limited. 

“In case of increase in number of corona patients, the system will not able to take care to all patients. As at the moment there are only 63 corona dedicated beds available in five public sector hospitals in Karachi only, while the situation in other big cities is also not much different or it can even be worst.” 

The leaders of physicians expressed the fear that after the gradual relaxation in lockdown all over the country, keeping in view the literary rate and level of awareness of our people, undisciplined attitude and obstinate behavior, the floodgate of COVID-19 patients will open in the society. 

However, they advised people to take this ailment just like any other diseases, and not take it as a taboo or social stigma. “We also advise the government to listen the voice of the WHO, which time and again calling for the lockdown as an only effective preventive measure against the virus.” 

Suggesting the government for giving a plan to tackle up the expected surge of patients, they called for establishing a central dashboard or a central helpline from the governments in all major cities to guide patients where to contact if they are sick. 

“Only announcing the names of the designated hospitals does not help as it leads to frustration in finding a place by the sick. This helpline should be available to ambulance services so that the ambulance driver should know where to drop the patient.”

Dreamworld tributes COVID-19 frontline warriors

Pakistan News & Features Services

Dreamworld Resort, Hotel & Golf Course, as a part of its corporate social responsibility initiative, has announced rewards for doctors and paramedics, having put their lives on the line which performing duties during the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“Don't they face the threat of getting infected? Who is their sacrifice for? They are serving us. They are sacrificing themselves for our better being so Insha Allah Dreamworld will become their voice and let people know the issues medics are facing,” the Dreamworld management declared while making the announcement on their portal. 

“Do you know any medic fighting on the frontline? Recommend a medic for free guest membership of Dreamworld Resort. Fill the form and submit. In case of more recommendations than the number of memberships, will be allotted by balloting or a panel of judges, whichever seems better,” they added while launching their Love for the Medics campaign. 

Besides recognition and reward, Dreamworld’s endeavor is also aimed at creating awareness among the masses regarding the critical role being played by the doctors and paramedical staff during the ongoing crisis. 

“Do you know that how doctors personal life has been affected by this pandemic? Doctors are facing problems when they return home, they cannot meet their parents nor mother can put hand on their head, nor their children can run towards them for a hug, these are the problems which common people don’t know about,” the Dreamworld campaign highlighted.

Chinese military medical expert shares knowledge, expertise

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Anti-epidemic Medical Experts Group of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) held a video conference at Chinese Embassy in Islamabad to share the details of the prevention and control of new coronary pneumonia to Chinese personnel and institutions in Pakistan.

Around 100 persons including overseas Chinese in Pakistan, Chinese companies, representatives of overseas students and Chinese media in Pakistan participated, according to the information made available by the Chinese embassy. 

Military officer, Chen Wenrong, presided over the video conference which was also attended by Counsellors Pang Chunxue, Wang Zhihua and Zhang Qing. 

The representative of the Chinese military, Chen Wenrong, welcomed the arrival of the medical expert team in Pakistan. Chen said that, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, the domestic fight against the epidemic has achieved staged a big victory. 

“The spread of the local epidemic has been basically blocked and the situation of epidemic prevention and control continues to improve. All localities coordinated efforts to promote epidemic prevention, economic and social development, helped in carrying out orderly resumption of production activities,” it was shared.

“At present, Pakistan's new crown epidemic is in a stage of rapid spread, and the pressure of Pakistan's prevention and control continues to rise. The Party Central Committee, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission attach great importance to the health and safety of Chinese personnel in Pakistan and promptly sent a team of medical experts to care and help them,” it was recalled.

“The Chinese personnel in Pakistan should pay greater importance to epidemic prevention and control work, carefully listen to the guidance and recommendations of the expert group, and make overall plans for epidemic prevention and control and work learning.” 

“While doing a good job of self-protection, that will provide Pakistan with the support it can, and carry forward the traditional friendly spirit of China and Pakistan friendship aimed at to help each other to overcome difficulties.” 

The head of the medical expert group, Zhou Feihu, introduced the prevention and control knowledge of the new coronary pneumonia to the participants in detail, reminded everyone to do self-protection, less gathering, more ventilation, wearing masks, washing hands frequently, disinfecting frequently, encouraging everyone to eat a reasonable diet, carry out routine physical exercise, maintain social distance and strengthen self-protection. 

The expert group also gave professional answers to the issues of personal protection and corporate prevention and control management of people in Pakistan. 

As the video conference lasted for more than a couple of hours, the expert group actively interacted with the participants and achieved good results.

China to help Pakistan strengthen drug control capacity building

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

China has reiterated its resolve to ensure continued help to Pakistan for strengthening drug control capacity building, improving people's livelihood, continuously deepening communication and cooperation between for drug control laws its enforcement and other fields by jointly fighting drug crimes, effectively safeguarding common interests and regional security and stability.

The assurances were given by the Chinese Ambassador, Yao Jing, during his meeting with Federal Minister for Narcotics Control, Muhammad Azam Khan Swati, according to the information made available by the Chinese embassy in Islamabad. The Police Counselor, Peng Yunfei, was also present at the meeting. 

The Minister pointed out that drugs trafficking was the common challenge being faced by all countries in the region. Pakistan and China, he stressed, will further strengthen cooperation in the fight against drug crimes. 

He expressed gratitude to the Chinese government and people for providing comprehensive assistance and support to Pakistan while fighting the new corona epidemic (COVID-19). 

In the course of responding to the epidemic situation, the Minister appreciated that the Chinese government and their support extended in terms of materials human resource. 

“The Chinese medical experts have been coming here regularly for sharing their experiences in anti-epidemic disease to Pakistani side and their knowledge has been found incredible,” the Minister lauded. 

He sounded positive about the timely completion of the various projects being done under the auspices of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the torch bearer of ambitious ‘Belt and Road’ initiative from the Chinese President, Xi Jinping. 

Ambassador Yao congratulated Minister Azam Swati on his new role and thanked him for his positive evaluation, saying that the new coronary pneumonia epidemic was still raging in many parts of the world. 

“Unity and cooperation is the most powerful weapon to overcome the epidemic,” the Ambassador reckoned.