Day: April 11, 2020
Boris Johnson walking in hospital as UK sees record COVID-19 death toll
LONDON: Prime Minister Boris Johnson was able to walk in hospital on Friday (Apr 10) about 24 hours after leaving intensive care treatment for COVID-19, as Britain recorded nearly 1,000 daily deaths from the virus for the first time. “The Prime Minister has been able to do short walks, between periods of rest, as part of
Lego sushi, artificial snow, obstacle courses: Parents get creative during the COVID-19 circuit breaker
SINGAPORE: What started as a hunger pang for parent Andre Lim ended with him creating a building made of “Lego sushi” with his two sons. The 33-year-old said that he wanted to make sushi, but without an oshibako – a wooden mould for pressing rice and sushi toppings – he had to improvise. Advertisement Advertisement “I’m stuck at home so
In full: PM Lee appeals to older Singaporeans to stay at home during COVID-19 ‘circuit breaker’ period
SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday (Apr 10) appealed to older Singaporeans to stay at home for their own safety during the “circuit breaker” period. The elderly are more vulnerable to COVID-19. It is a “serious matter” if they contract the disease and the “chances of dying are much higher”, Mr Lee said
Coronavirus death toll passes 1,000 in Brazil
BRASILIA: Brazil, the hardest-hit Latin American country in the coronavirus pandemic, passed the mark of 1,000 deaths on Friday (Apr 10), the health ministry said. The ministry’s latest figures gave a toll of 19,638 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 1,056 deaths – one fewer than it had indicated in an initial tally earlier in the day. Advertisement Advertisement
Spain’s COVID-19 death toll curve flattening at last
BARCELONA: The coronavirus death toll curve in Spain flattened further on Friday (Apr 10) as the government prepared to start easing one of the world’s strictest lockdowns and virtual Easter celebrations were held instead of traditional processions. Spaniards have been off the streets since mid-March and have suffered nearly 16,000 fatalities from the COVID-19 disease
Boris Johnson walking in hospital as UK sees record death toll
LONDON: Prime Minister Boris Johnson was able to walk in hospital on Friday (Apr 10) some 24 hours after leaving intensive care treatment for COVID-19, as Britain recorded nearly 1,000 daily deaths from the virus for the first time. “The Prime Minister has been able to do short walks, between periods of rest, as part of
New US projections show summer spike if coronavirus restrictions lifted: Report
WASHINGTON: New US government figures show novel coronavirus infections will spike during the summer if stay-at-home orders are lifted after 30 days as planned, the New York Times reported on Friday (Apr 10). If President Donald Trump lifts shelter-in-place orders after 30 days, the death toll is estimated to reach 200,000, the New York Times reported, citing
WHO warns about dangers of premature lifting of COVID-19 restrictions
GENEVA/ZURICH: The World Health Organization (WHO) warned countries on Friday (Apr 10) to be cautious about lifting restrictions introduced to curb the spread of the new coronavirus and voiced alarm it was taking hold in Africa. The United Nations agency would like to see an easing, but at the same time “lifting restrictions could lead
Commentary: Home-based learning is strange, new ground. But we can conquer that too
SINGAPORE: When the Ministry of Education (MOE) announced a one-day trial for home-based learning (HBL), it was tough for everyone – the system had issues, parents were confused with conflicting information and those who had to work and watch their children all but threw their computers (and their kids) out the window. Looking back, that appeared
In Thailand, the COVID-19 outbreak is driving more consumers online
BANGKOK: The COVID-19 pandemic is transforming consumer spending habits and lifestyles around the world, including Thailand. According to Siam Commercial Bank’s Economic Intelligence Center (EIC) in Thailand, increasingly restricted movement of the public and limited outdoor activities caused by the health crisis are driving more consumers in the Southeast Asian nation towards e-commerce. Advertisement Advertisement With the nationwide
British boy fighting rare cancer is discharged after coming to Singapore for experimental treatment
SINGAPORE: It was a moment of pure elation for the family of Oscar Saxelby-Lee – the six-year-old has finally been discharged from hospital after staying cancer-free for nearly three months. The British boy has been battling acute lymphoblastic leukaemia since December 2018, and arrived in Singapore for experimental treatment at the National University Hospital (NUH) that
Singapore is paying ‘close attention’ to welfare of foreign workers amid COVID-19 outbreak: PM Lee
SINGAPORE: Singapore will do its best to take care of the needs of foreign workers here amid the COVID-19 outbreak, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday (Apr 10). The number of COVID-19 cases in foreign worker dormitories has surged in recent days, with clusters emerging in nine dormitories so far. The cluster at S11 Dormitory @

Commentary: Science goes viral, thanks to COVID-19. But there are roadblocks along the way
SINGAPORE: Unless you own shares in Zoom or Netflix, it’s hard to see even the faintest silver lining to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. There have been a staggering 60,000 deaths worldwide, the global economy has ground to a halt and everyday life has been profoundly altered. Advertisement Advertisement But as a science communicator there has