Pakistan has decided to lift its coronavirus lockdown on May 9 (Saturday), announced PM Imran Khan on Thursday. He said that the decision is taken as many people are facing difficulties and a developing country like Pakistan cannot afford it. The premier requested the nation to follow the SOPs put in place by the government. Public transport will be opened too.
Author JK Rowling announced the release of free weekly recordings narrated by celebrities of the first book in the wildly popular “Harry Potter” series. Daniel Radcliffe, the actor who played the wizard character voiced the first chapter of the series’ premiere novel, “Harry Potter and the Sorceres’ Stone”. The decision was taken to To help children — and perhaps adults — cope with confinement measures.
Vienna museum of city history appealed to submit artefacts of everyday objects to to document coronavirus pandemic for future generations. Some 1,800 photos of masks, signs and other objects have been received since the launch of appeal, spokeswoman Konstanze Schaefer said. She added that they want to see how they tell their children, or their children’s’ children about what happened in Vienna.
A research team at Arizona State University (US) has detected a unique mutation in the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that could make the virus weaker. The scientists found that in one of the samples they were examining part of the genome of the virus had been permanently deleted. The genome of a virus is its genetic code which determines how the virus multiplies and attacks host cells.
The Punjab government has decided to ease its coronavirus lockdown after May 9, whilw shopkeepers have been directed to strictly follow SOPs. The province has reported 8,693 cases of the novel coronavirus so far. Textile, steel and spare part shops will be allowed to operate for six hours. Parks will also be reopened for the public, but they’ll not be allowed to go on any swings or rides.
One hundred passengers who reached Islamabad from Abu Dhabi on April 28 tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The health department confirmed Monday. The special flight brought more than 200 people to Pakistan. The passengers were quarantined and tested for the virus. Those who have tested positive have been shifted to Fatima Jinnah university, which has been converted into a quarantine centre.
Researchers at the Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center (ADSCC) have developed an innovative treatment for COVID-19 that uses stem cells to cure the infection. This treatment involves extracting stem cells from the patient’s blood and reintroducing them to the lungs through inhalation of a fine mist. The mist has a therapeutic effect as it enables the lung cells to regenerate and change the response of the immune system.
Europe prepared for a further cautious easing of coronavirus restrictions following signs the pandemic may be slowing. Italy followed by Spain will allow people outside. More than 243,000 people have been killed and 3.4 million infected worldwide by the virus which has left humanity in lockdown. With signs that the spread of the contagion has been brought under control, parts of Europe, Asia and the United States have begun to lift restrictions.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved on Friday an experimental antiviral drug, Remdesivir, for emergency use in COVID-19 patients. The drug can now be given to patients who are hospitalised with severe symptoms and need supplemental oxygen therapy or a ventilator. Emergency use authorisation means that unapproved drugs that might help treat a life-threatening disease can be used when no approved alternatives are available.
The antiviral drug Remdesivir has shown promising results in the treatment of COVID-19 in clinical trials. Two trials of the drug were carried out: one by the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the other by Gilead Sciences. More than 1,000 patients across the globe took part in NIAID’s trial. Treatment with Remdesivir was compared with supportive care with a placebo.