Month: March 2020
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 11, 2020
Briton struck with COVID-19 in Wuhan recalls: ‘I couldn’t get enough air’
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LONDON: Connor Reed was working in Wuhan when he contracted the coronavirus in late 2019, suffering common cold-like symptoms, then flu, and ultimately pneumonia which hospitalized him and left him struggling to breathe. Now fully recovered after a month of sickness, and still living in Wuhan, where the epidemic first broke out, Welshman Reed, 25,
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 11, 2020
Most people in Germany will get COVID-19, aim is to slow its spread: Merkel
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BERLIN: Up to 70 per cent of the population is likely to be infected with the coronavirus that is currently spreading around the world, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday (Mar 11), adding that since there was currently no cure, the focus had to be on slowing its spread. “When the virus is out
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 11, 2020
Iran announces 63 new virus deaths, taking total to 354
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TEHRAN: Iran on Wednesday (Mar 11) reported 63 new deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, the highest single-day toll since it announced the first deaths from the outbreak. “Based on new lab results, we have identified 958 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection in the country, bringing the total number of cases to
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 11, 2020
Beijing orders quarantine for all international arrivals
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BEIJING: Beijing on Wednesday (Mar 11) ordered people arriving in the city from any country to go into 14-day quarantine as China reported an increase in imported coronavirus cases, threatening its progress against the epidemic. China has made major strides in its battle against the virus, prompting President Xi Jinping to visit Wuhan, the central city
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 11, 2020
Can South Korea be a model for coronavirus-hit countries?
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SEOUL: A rapid surge in coronavirus cases saw South Korea become one of the world’s worst-affected countries outside China, but it has since cut infection rates significantly and has one of the lowest fatality rates anywhere. As of Wednesday (Mar 11), it had 7,755 confirmed cases – the fourth-highest total in the world – but only
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 11, 2020
Singaporean restaurant owner tests positive for COVID-19 in Thailand
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BANGKOK: Thailand reported six new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday (Mar 11), including a Singaporean man who owns a restaurant in Bangkok’s business district. The new patients bring the total number of COVID-19 cases in Thailand to 59. Advertisement Advertisement The 36-year-old Singaporean man fell ill on Monday and went to a private hospital in the Thai capital
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 11, 2020
Sentosa to grant free entry until end-June, rent deferments to support businesses through COVID-19
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SINGAPORE: Visitors will get to enter Sentosa for free from Mar 14 until the end of June, as part of the resort island’s new supportive measures for its businesses amid the COVID-19 outbreak. This is an extension of an earlier plan to waive admission fees for all visitors during the March school holidays, Sentosa Development
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 11, 2020
No-confidence motion against PM Muhyiddin unlikely to succeed, says Mahathir
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KUALA LUMPUR: Dr Mahathir Mohamad has indicated that Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) attempt to table a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin in parliament was unlikely to succeed. Mr Muhyiddin could stay in office until the next general election, Dr Mahathir also said, according to a Sinar Harian report. Advertisement Advertisement “Now that he is the
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 11, 2020
Thai immigration officers at Bangkok airport diagnosed with COVID-19
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BANGKOK: Two immigration officers at Bangkok’s main airport have coronavirus and may have handled the passports of visitors to Thailand, a health official said Wednesday (Mar 11). The men, both working at Suvarnabhumi airport, fell ill on Mar 7 and 8 respectively and potentially came into contact with arriving passengers in the days before their diagnosis. Advertisement
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 11, 2020
Singapore to shift approach, ‘double down’ on COVID-19 measures within country: Lawrence Wong
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SINGAPORE: Singapore has to shift its approach towards containing COVID-19 within the country, as the virus spreads worldwide and border controls become less relevant and effective in the future, Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong said on Tuesday (Mar 10). “As the virus spreads to countries everywhere, country-specific border control measures will become less relevant
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 11, 2020
Cathay Pacific 2019 profits plunge, predicts virus losses
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HONG KONG: Cathay Pacific on Wednesday (Mar 11) said profits plunged in 2019 as it reeled from political unrest in Hong Kong, while it warned financial losses lay ahead owing to the spread of the new coronavirus. The flagship carrier was battered throughout the second half of last year as violent protests raged for months in
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 11, 2020
China to allow some firms to return to work in Wuhan
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BEIJING: Some companies in Wuhan, the Chinese city where the novel coronavirus outbreak emerged late last year, are to be allowed to return to work, provincial officials said on Wednesday (Mar 11). Businesses involved in providing daily necessities can resume work and production immediately, as can those that are key to “global industrial chains” after getting
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 11, 2020
Observers of Qing Ming festival should exercise ‘socially responsible behaviour’ amid COVID-19 situation: NEA
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SINGAPORE: Observers of the Qing Ming festival are advised to “exercise socially responsible behavior” in light of the COVID-19 situation, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said on Wednesday (Mar 11). The Qing Ming festival will take place on Apr 4 and is expected to have a peak period between Mar 21 and Apr 19. Advertisement Advertisement
Commentary: Developing affordable, accurate test kits for COVID-19 one of the biggest challenge this outbreak
EAST LANSING, Michigan: As COVID-19 spreads from China, public health officials the world over mobilise, preparing for declaration of a global pandemic. “It’s not so much a question of if this will happen anymore, but rather more a question of when this will happen,” said Anne Schuchat, principal deputy director of the US Centers for