China’s city, Jilin has partially shut its borders and cut off transport links after the emergence of a local coronavirus cluster. The cases have fuelled growing fears of a second wave of infections in China. Jilin, with a population of more than four million, suspended bus services. All cinemas and other enclosed entertainment venues to shut immediately, and pharmacies must report all sales of fever medicines, the local government said in a statement.
COVID-19 may begin with digestive symptoms in children as a rare inflammatory syndrome similar to Kawasaki disease was reported in some children in Europe and US. Earlier, it was believed that children are mostly asymptomatic carriers of the virus. The disease is might begin with diarrhoea and other gastrointestinal symptoms, not cough.
The textile industry in Faisalabad has resumed operations despite the lockdown. An owner of a power loom said that the industry was reopened after taking into account the financial woes of workers. He said factory owners will only be able to pay their employees if business continues. Some industrial units are screening their workers for the coronavirus and making sure they follow the SOPs issued by the government as well.
Former world champion Amir Khan has said he won’t fight behind closed doors if boxing resumes during the coronavirus outbreak. British officials are looking at July as a possible return date for bouts, without spectators in venue. Amir added that even though there is big money but he won’t be able to do so as he needs fan base.
The five-day Kalash spring festival of Chilim Jusht will be a low key event this year in the wake of coronavirus pandemic. The festival is scheduled to start from May 12 in the three valleys of Bumburate, Birir and Rumbur. The festival heralds the arrival of spring season in the valley after a harsh winter of five months.
Islamabad has made testing of the novel coronavirus compulsory for all restaurant employees delivering food across the capital. According to a notification, only those employees who test negative for the virus will be allowed to deliver or prepare delivery items. Restaurants and stores have also been instructed to place hand santisers at both their entry and exit points.
YouTube, the world’s biggest online video-sharing platform, will give the Pakistan government $5 million to combat the spreading coronavirus. .In a letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday, YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki mentioned about the grant to help control the spread of the virus in Pakistan. She said that it is also to compensate people affected due to the pandemic.
Singapore has unveiled ‘Spot’, a dog-like robot that ensures park goers practice social distancing to avoid contracting COVID-19. The Boston Dynamics’ four-legged robot reminds people to keep a safe distance from one another with a recorded message. Spot is currently deployed in the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park and equipped with cameras and built-in sensors that help it walk without colliding into anything.
India’s top medical research body has turned down a proposal by the Modi government to test water from the Ganges river as a cure for coronavirus. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) turned down the request as it is focusing on the Covid-19 battle and does not want to waste time on other research. ICMR’s head of the Department of Research Management, said that the matter is at a very preliminary stage.
Punjab health authorities have sealed a PCR diagnostic laboratory in Bahria Town Phase 8 in Rawalpindi for hiding a number of positive coronavirus cases. The lab was established illegally without approval of the Punjab Healthcare Commission and was found to be violating the standard operational procedures (SOPs) announced by the provincial government.