Covid 19

KOTA KINABALU: Another new Covid-19 cluster involving an educational institution has been detected in Sabah as the state recorded 256 new cases. Sabah Covid-19 spokesperson Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun (pic) said the Pandan-Pandan cluster was detected involving staff, families and students of Madrasah Darul Hadis in Kampung Pandan-Pandan in Putatan. He said the cluster was triggered after the index case of a 53-year-old madrasah teacher was confirmed positive for Covid-19 after undergoing symptomatic screening. "He experienced coughing, fever and flu symptoms and underwent PCR screening on January 17 and was confirmed positive," he said. Masidi said screening on close contacts of family members, staff and students found that 15 more people had been infected. He said the recent increase in active clusters resulted in a spike in cases. A total of 86 new cases were from four active clusters with the highest number of 54 coming from a workplace cluster - Trayon River in … [Read more...] about Another Covid-19 cluster involving an educational institution detected in Sabah

19 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 21,987 with 289 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 8,129 new Covid-19 cases and 6,978 recoveries. There are now 82,734 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of the new cases recorded today, 54 were found in correctional facilities. More than 80,000 inmates at Thailand’s overcrowded prisons and detention centres have tested positive for Covid-19 over the past several months. Since the start of the pandemic last year, the CCSA has recorded 2,353,062 confirmed Covid-19 cases. Out of that number, 129,627 Infections have been reported since January 1. Vaccination update In the Thai government’s mass vaccination drive, which was launched on February 28, a total of 110,799,936 doses have been administered, according to the CCSA. Yesterday, 43,455 people received their first dose of … [Read more...] about Thursday Covid Update: 8,129 new cases; provincial totals

- A + A TAIPEI (Jan 20): Taiwan will mandate the use of passes that provide proof of Covid-19 vaccination for entry into entertainment venues, the government said on Thursday, as it seeks to reduce infection risks while tackling a small rise in domestic Omicron cases. The Central Epidemic Command Centre said that from Friday entry into venues including bars and nightclubs would require proof of full vaccination, either by showing a physical vaccine card or a new digital card. The centre said the move was needed to minimise the risk of community transmission as Taiwan deals with a small number of domestic infections of the Omicron variant. More than 70% of people in Taiwan have received two vaccine doses and booster shots are currently being rolled out, though only around 10% of residents have had their third shot so far. Taiwan has kept the pandemic well under control thanks to strict border measures enacted early on and a highly efficient tracing system. It … [Read more...] about Taiwan to mandate Covid-19 vaccination proof for entertainment venues

Syringe/Vaccine (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP) MANILA, Philippines — A mobile COVID-19 vaccination drive for commuters and transport workers will be held at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) from January 24-28 through a joint initiative of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). Dubbed as the “We Vax as One: Mobile Vaccination Drive,” the DOTr said the five-day activity aims to give the AstraZeneca vaccine brand as first, second, or booster doses to qualified recipients. Those receiving their booster shots will be given priority, it added. DOTr Secretary Art Tugade said in a statement Thursday they plan to give 500 doses of anti-coronavirus vaccine per day at the mobile vaccination site. “Mahalaga po para sa atin na masigurong bakunado ang ating mga bayaning transport workers, lalo na at iba’t-ibang lugar ang kanilang pinupuntahan, gayundin ang ibang stakeholders at mga commuters na kanilang nakakasalamuha … [Read more...] about Mobile COVID-19 vaccination for commuters, transport workers set at PITX

The maximum number of attendees for reunion dinners was not stated. PHOTO: PIXABAY via The Straits Times/Asia News Network KUALA LUMPUR — Health experts in Malaysia are not expecting a surge in Covid-19 cases with Chinese New Year (CNY) just around the corner and Hari Raya Aidilfitri in May because most adults are fully vaccinated. House visits and family reunion dinners will be allowed during CNY this year, the National Unity Ministry said on Wednesday (Jan 13). “No open houses can be held. Chinese New Year receptions can be held, but by invitation only,” National Unity Minister Halimah Mohamed Sadique told a news conference. Open houses often involve a constant stream of visitors, including the public, while house visits are closed-door and for invited guests only. Under movement curbs last year, reunion dinners were limited to 15 people within a 10km radius. This year, house visits will be allowed throughout CNY celebrations between January 31 and February 15, and there are … [Read more...] about COVID-19 rules eased in Malaysia to allow for CNY reunion dinners, house visits

Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 19, 2022 Germany’s Alexander Zverev reacts during his second round match against Australia’s John Millman REUTERS/Loren Elliott MELBOURNE—Alexander Zverev believes there are probably more players at the Australian Open who have COVID-19 but they are not being tested, the third seed said on Wednesday. Frenchman Ugo Humbert said earlier on Wednesday that he had tested positive for the coronavirus, a day after his first round defeat by compatriot Richard Gasquet, forcing him to isolate for a week in Australia. Players must be fully vaccinated to compete at the Australian Open, a rule that forced the government to deport world number one Novak Djokovic due to his unvaccinated status. “We are allowed to go outside to eat, allowed to do whatever we want, so I think it’s natural that more people get COVID,” Zverev told reporters after dispatching Australia’s John Millman in straight sets in the second round. … [Read more...] about ‘We’re not getting tested’: Zverev says more players probably have COVID-19

PETALING JAYA: Travellers who have received booster shots are only required to undergo a five-day quarantine upon arrival in Malaysia effective Monday (Jan 24), says Khairy Jamaluddin. The Health Minister also said that all travellers that entered the country would not be required to wear the pink surveillance wristbands. However, he added that travellers from higher risk countries, who were allowed to do home quarantine, would still be required to wear a digital surveillance bracelet. "The decisions were made based on data, science and the experience of the other countries that have been managing international travellers," Khairy said at a press conference on Thursday (Jan 20). … [Read more...] about Covid-19: No more pink wristbands, travellers with booster shot only need five-day quarantine

Restrictions are easing in 25 provinces following a revision to the colour-coded zoning based on local infection rates. Starting January 24, those provinces will move from “orange” controlled zones to “yellow” zones under surveillance. In the “yellow” and “blue” zones, alcohol sales will be allowed until 11pm. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation decided to relax some measures today at its general meeting chaired by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha. A spokesperson says the decisions were taken under careful consideration, and while the infection rate has risen, the number of severe infections and Covid-related fatalities remain fairly low. The “blue” zones, which are approved for pilot tourism programmes, have remained the same. Blue zones include Bangkok, Chon Buri, Kanchanaburi, Krabi, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phang Nga, and Phuket. Several areas and districts, including the area in Samut Prakan by the Suvarnabhumi Airport, are also designated as “blue” zones. Alcohol sales at restaurants … [Read more...] about Restrictions ease, 25 provinces reclassified as “yellow” zones

Thailand’s State of Emergency was extended for another two months. The decree, which was first invoked by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha in March 2020, gives the government sweeping powers, through the establishment of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, to set restrictions and measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus in Thailand. The decree was last set to expire on January 31. It has been extended numerous times due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation. The government has discussed ending the State of Emergency, but an end to a decree would mean an end to the CCSA. The Covid-19 task force has been responsible for setting disease control measures, including entry schemes like the Test & Go quarantine exemption scheme. As an alternative to the decree, the government has discussed amending the Communicable Disease Act for a more long term approach to manage the Covid-19 situation in Thailand and transition the CCSA into another government body once the decree is … [Read more...] about Thailand extends State of Emergency for another two months

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Just before Thanksgiving, we learned that Alabama sought to spend $400M of COVID relief on new prisons —five times as much as it plans to spend on hospitals. And now as we kick off a new year, it's clear that it’s not just Alabama who wants to pass off prisons as COVID relief—but almost half the country. At least 17 states across the US are angling to use at least $830 million of their federal Covid relief funds to build new jails and prisons, ranging from tiny $8,000 projects to the hundreds of millions. These funds would all come from the near party-line passage of The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The Treasury has now released guidance to states essentially saying, “not so fast…” making it clear that new prison construction is not a sanctioned use of COVID relief funds. Their new policy states, “Treasury presumes that the following capital projects are generally ineligible: Construction of new correctional … [Read more...] about Jails In Jeopardy Following New Treasury Rule: Federal Covid Relief Must Help People