Coronavirus: Hospitals overwhelmed in Delhi and other major Indian cities - The Straits Times

NEW DELHI - Mr Vikas Jain, 45, thought a strict countrywide lockdown, enforced since end March, bought time for the healthcare sector in India to cope with the surge in Covid-19 cases.

He was sadly mistaken.

On June 1, when his 47-year-old brother-in-law, fell ill, Mr Jain found it difficult to admit him into a hospital in Delhi mostly because of the recent explosion in the number of cases.

India is now the fifth-worst affected country in the world, with 276,583 Covid-19 cases. The capital, Delhi, which has 31,309 cases, is among the worst-affected cities in the country.

In Mr Jain's case, the first two hospitals refused to take his brother-in-law, saying there were no beds. He was admitted by a third hospital but it discharged him after he tested positive for Covid 19, saying it did not have an isolation ward.

"They had no ambulances so I had to arrange for a private ambulance. The ambulance didn't have an oxygen cylinder. I begged the hospital to give me one but they refused," said Mr Jain.

A fourth hospital also had no beds and referred him to a fifth, where he and his sister, the wife of the patient, had to physically move the sick man from the ambulance to the room because health workers were overwhelmed by other Covid 19 cases.

Tragically, Mr Jain's brother-in-law, a businessman, died on June 3 from Covid 19. Mr Jain's sister and her children, aged 21, 18 and 12, have tested positive and are now in home quarantine.

Mr Jain said: "He passed away before my eyes. The hospital said you should cremate the body yourself. At the crematorium, me and my nephew, 18, bought PPE kits, which is sold there and we had to do the last rites ourselves.

"It is just too shocking for me. I am saying, everybody, please take care of yourself, There is no arrangement. I don't have any words to express what we went through."

Delhi is among seven cities - along with Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Indore, Pune and Kolkata - accounting for 60 per cent of Covid-19 cases in India.

Medical infrastructure has come under strain in all the cities, particularly in Delhi and Mumbai, with harrowing tales of desperate searches for admission amid a shortage of hospital beds and overworked healthcare staff.

Reports also speak of long queues at crematoriums in Delhi, with the government forced to open two additional ones.

"It is a massive, unprecedented challenge. By July 15, Delhi will need 33,000 beds... By July 31, we will need a total of 1.5 lakh (150,000) beds," said Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday (June 10).

"I will get started on this and go to stadiums, banquet halls and hotels to make arrangements. We will try everything to ensure enough hospital beds in Delhi," he added.

Delhi, which has a population of 19 million and is the seat of power of the federal government, currently has 9,000 beds. An order to reserve hospital beds only for Delhi residents was reversed amid much controversy.

Mr Narendra Jain was turned away at four hospitals before being admitted to a fifth. However, he died on June 3 from Covid-19, two days after falling ill. PHOTO: COURTESY OF VIKAS JAIN

The city's government has forecast it will have 500,000 cases by the end of next month.

Similarly, the situation is grim in the financial capital Mumbai, which now has 51,100 cases. Reports note the city has surpassed Wuhan, in China, where the first case was detected. Mumbai has 9,092 beds and practically all or 99 per cent of the beds in intensive care units (ICU) are occupied. Ventilators are also running out, with 94 per cent in use.

But World Health Organisation officials say the number of cases in India is still not alarming, given its population of 1.3 billion. The recovery rate is now 48.88 per cent, according to the health ministry, which said that the number of patients who have recovered has for the first time exceeded those battling the virus.

Fatality rates are also low compared to other countries, at 7,745 deaths.

Still, the spike in cases in the major cities is disconcerting, as it follows the easing of the stringent lockdown late last month. Offices, restaurants and malls have reopened and public transport as well as cross-country movement have resumed, triggering worries of a fresh wave of infections.

Related Stories: 

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMidWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnN0cmFpdHN0aW1lcy5jb20vYXNpYS9zb3V0aC1hc2lhL2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzLWhvc3BpdGFscy1vdmVyd2hlbG1lZC1pbi1kZWxoaS1hbmQtb3RoZXItbWFqb3ItaW5kaWFuLWNpdGllc9IBAA?oc=5

2020-06-10 13:01:49Z
52780844477288

China says it expressed grave concerns to Japan over Abe's Hong Kong remarks - The Straits Times

BEIJING (REUTERS, BLOOMBERG) - China said on Wednesday (June 10) it expressed grave concerns to Japan after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Tokyo wants to take the lead among the Group of Seven (G-7) nations to issue a statement about the situation in Hong Kong.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying told reporters during a daily briefing that Hong Kong is "entirely China's internal affairs".

"The relevant country should abide by international laws and basic principles of international relations," she said.

Nations have expressed concerns over China's move to impose a new security law in Hong Kong, which many see as eroding the "one country, two systems" framework that underpins the administration of the former British colony.

The legislation has reignited demonstrations in the city, following months of pro-democracy protests last year triggered by opposition to a since-scrapped Bill that would have allowed extraditions to the mainland.

Mr Abe said earlier Wednesday in Parliament: "Obviously, we acknowledge the G-7 has a mission to lead the global public opinion and Japan wants to take a lead in issuing a statement based on 'one nation, two systems' in Hong Kong."

Japan had already issued an statement independently expressing serious concern about Beijing's move on May 28, the day China passed the law, and called in the Chinese ambassador to convey its view.

Mr Abe has been treading an increasingly narrow path amid a deepening standoff between China – Japan’s biggest trade partner – and the US, its sole military ally.

Ties between the US and China turned sour over trade, and have worsened in recent months over the coronavirus pandemic and Beijing’s handling of Hong Kong.

The Japanese prime minister said in parliament that the G-7 remained significant even after the establishment of the G-20 because its members share the "universal values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law."

US President Donald Trump last month postponed the G-7 summit to the autumn, and proposed inviting the leaders of Russia, South Korea, Australia and India, alongside the usual participants.

Mr Abe, who has worked hard to build a rapport with Mr Trump, has said he plans to attend the summit if it’s held in person, even if that could mean he is forced to quarantine afterward. 

Tensions are also growing between China and other members of the G-7, including the UK, where lawmakers are asking questions about whether Huawei Technologies Co should supply equipment for Britain’s 5G network. 

Mr Abe said this week that Japan was not in a position to set dates for a state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping, which was postponed from April as both countries struggled to control the virus.

The occasion had been meant to mark a return to normal for the often-fraught relationship between the two countries. 

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi told the same parliamentary committee that Japan did not have China in mind as it considers loosening its border controls.

Priority will be given to countries including Vietnam and New Zealand, where new cases have fallen to zero, he said. 

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMicGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnN0cmFpdHN0aW1lcy5jb20vYXNpYS9lYXN0LWFzaWEvY2hpbmEtc2F5cy1pdC1leHByZXNzZWQtZ3JhdmUtY29uY2VybnMtdG8tamFwYW4tb3Zlci1hYmVzLWhrLXJlbWFya3PSAQA?oc=5

2020-06-10 12:45:01Z
52780843927148

Top US diplomat accuses HSBC of siding with China over security law - South China Morning Post

[unable to retrieve full-text content]

1. Top US diplomat accuses HSBC of siding with China over security law  South China Morning Post
2. Pompeo criticises HSBC for 'corporate kowtow' to Beijing  CNA
3. Pompeo criticizes HSBC for backing Hong Kong law  Yahoo Singapore News
4. Bowing to Beijing: Pompeo berates HSBC for backing Hong Kong law  Aljazeera.com
5. Pompeo chides HSBC for 'corporate kowtow' to Beijing  CNA
6. View Full coverage on Google News

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMicWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnNjbXAuY29tL25ld3MvaG9uZy1rb25nL3BvbGl0aWNzL2FydGljbGUvMzA4ODM4Mi9uYXRpb25hbC1zZWN1cml0eS1sYXctdXMtc2VjcmV0YXJ5LXN0YXRlLW1pa2UtcG9tcGVv0gFxaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXAuc2NtcC5jb20vbmV3cy9ob25nLWtvbmcvcG9saXRpY3MvYXJ0aWNsZS8zMDg4MzgyL25hdGlvbmFsLXNlY3VyaXR5LWxhdy11cy1zZWNyZXRhcnktc3RhdGUtbWlrZS1wb21wZW8?oc=5

2020-06-10 05:22:58Z
52780842950549

Hong Kong police arrest 53 during fresh protests - CNA

HONG KONG: Hong Kong police arrested 53 people during protests on Tuesday (Jun 9) evening that saw hundreds of activists take to the streets, at times blocking roads in the heart of the global financial hub, before police fired pepper spray to disperse crowds.

The protests, called to mark a year of sometimes violent rallies in the former British colony, also came amid heightened tensions due to a proposed national security Bill backed by the central government in Beijing.

Advertisement

Advertisement

READ: Hong Kong protesters gather to mark 'million-people' march anniversary

READ: Hong Kong leader says city cannot tolerate any more 'chaos'

Police said on Wednesday that 36 males and 17 females were arrested for offences including unlawful assembly and participating in unauthorised assembly. Protesters had defied a ban on gatherings of more than eight people introduced by the Hong Kong government to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Demonstrators march during a protest on the first anniversary of a mass protest against the now-withdrawn extradition Bill, in Hong Kong's Central district, on Jun 9, 2020. (Photo: REUTERS/Laurel Chor)

Advertisement

Advertisement

More protests are planned in the coming days, with pro-democracy supporters fearing the proposed national security legislation will dramatically stifle freedoms in the city.

While details of the security law or how it will operate have yet to be revealed, authorities in Beijing and Hong Kong have said there is no cause for concern and the legislation will target a minority of "troublemakers".

Police raise a banner warning demonstrators near the Court of Final Appeal during a protest on the first anniversary of a mass protest against the now-withdrawn extradition Bill, in Hong Kong's Central district, on Jun 9, 2020. (Photo: REUTERS/Laurel Chor)

​​​​​​​

The standing committee of the National People's Congress, the top decision-making body of the Chinese parliament, will meet in Beijing later this month to deliberate on various draft legislation, official Chinese media reported on Wednesday. 

The reports did not specify whether any laws regarding Hong Kong were included on the agenda for discussion at the Jun 18-20 meeting.

Hong Kong Security Secretary John Lee told the South China Morning Post in an interview published on Wednesday that local police were setting up a dedicated unit to enforce the law and it would have intelligence gathering, investigation and training capabilities.

Riot police stand guard outside HSBC and Bank of China (Hong Kong ) headquarters during a protest to mark the first anniversary of a mass rally against a now-withdrawn extradition Bill, in Hong Kong, on Jun 9, 2020. (Photo: REUTERS/Tyrone Siu)

Police officers charge at demonstrators during a protest on the first anniversary of a mass protest against the now-withdrawn extradition Bill, in Hong Kong's Central district, on Jun 9, 2020. (Photo: REUTERS/Laurel Chor)

Companies including HSBC and Standard Chartered have backed the security law without knowing the details of it, drawing criticism from some investors and US and British officials.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo singled out HSBC on Tuesday, saying such "corporate kowtows" got little in return from Beijing and criticising the Chinese Communist Party's "coercive bullying tactics".

READ: A year on, protests leave permanent imprint on Hong Kong's streets

Hong Kong's year of protests was sparked by a government Bill that would have allowed people to be extradited to mainland China, where courts are controlled by the Communist Party, for trial. 

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam withdrew that Bill as the protests gathered pace but activists remained concerned that China is reneging on an agreement signed with Britain ahead of the 1997 handover to allow Hong Kong to retain a high level of autonomy for 50 years from that date.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiY2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vbmV3cy9hc2lhL2hvbmcta29uZy1wb2xpY2UtYXJyZXN0LTUzLWR1cmluZy1mcmVzaC1wcm90ZXN0cy0xMjgyMTgyMtIBAA?oc=5

2020-06-10 02:55:45Z
52780842950542

COVID-19: New migrant worker dorms step in the right direction, say support groups - but could more be done? - CNA

SINGAPORE: The decision to build new migrant worker dormitories to reduce the current living densities following the spread of COVID-19 at these facilities is a step in the right direction, said various groups focusing on migrant workers’ welfare.

In light of the current situation, the key consideration observed in the new standards "are the safe distancing measures to provide better protection for the migrant workers residing there," said the Migrant Workers’ Centre.

Advertisement

Advertisement

But even with new dorms that have improved living space, there are other aspects to living conditions which could be considered, said representatives from the groups.

Speaking to CNA, Mr Alex Au, vice president of Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2), said the organisation is happy the Government is moving in this direction.

“Of course it would have been better if action had been taken early on, but at least they are moving in a direction which we think is the right way to go, which is to spread (the workers) out more and reduce the densities in each location,” Mr Au said.

“It’s very encouraging and definitely a move in the right direction,” agreed Ms Dipa Swaminathan, founder of migrant worker welfare group It's Raining Raincoats. 

Advertisement

Advertisement

Migrant workers living in these dorms are the hardest-hit demographic in Singapore during the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, about 94 per cent of the 38,514 COVID-19 infections in Singapore are linked to these living quarters, according to the Ministry of Health.

INTERACTIVE MAP: All the COVID-19 clusters at dorms and construction sites

READ: About 80 breaches found at foreign worker dormitories every year: MOM

As part of long term arrangements to help migrant workers, the authorities announced last week plans for new purpose-built dormitories with improved standards over the next few years to house up to 100,000 workers.

Before that, the Government aims to pilot the improved set of standards at temporary Quick Build Dormitories (QBDs) first, including more living space per resident, a smaller occupancy in each room, fewer workers sharing wet facilities, and more sick bay beds and isolation facilities.

“THE OLD DORM IS VERY SMALL”

Under the improved standards, there will be at least one toilet, bathroom and sink for every five dormitory residents. Previously there was a minimum of one set, with a urinal, to 15 beds.

Ms Dipa said this was “better than what it is now” and Mr Au expressed a similar view saying the changes to toilet facilities were “quite reasonable”.

“We are proposing four, but five is quite reasonable. There is definitely an improvement there,” he said, explaining the current “barrack style” design, where potentially hundreds of people share wet facilities, has proven to be a problem during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Ms Dipa continued: “I think if we can come up with a solution where they don’t need to queue up, that will be a big help.”

When the new standards are piloted, each resident will have minimum of 6 sq m of living space, up from the current 4.5 sq m. There will also be a maximum of 10 beds in a room when there were no limits previously.

​​​​​​​

Mr Au said that countries like Qatar have also implemented a minimum of 6 sq m for each resident, but are still facing infection problems.

“This tells us that 6 sq m per person is not good enough,” Mr Au said, proposing 7.5 sq m instead.

At the same time, workers CNA spoke to from a dorm in Toh Guan welcomed the idea of having fewer men in the room and more space for each person, including a move away from bunk beds.

“The changes are very good because the old dorm very small,” said one resident who did not want to be named.

“It is enough to have six or seven people in a room. The rooms now have double decker beds with people sleeping on top and below. When the person sleeping on the top (bunk) rotates, it disturbs those on the bottom (bunk). It’s a problem.”

Foreign workers having their meals in their rooms at Toh Guan dormitory, which is under isolation. (Photo: Ministry of Manpower)

READ: Can Singapore rely less on foreign workers? It's not just about dollars and cents, say observers

OTHER ASPECTS TO IMPROVE DORM LIFE

As Singapore embarks on a reassessment of how foreign workers should be housed, the groups suggested that other issues like laundry, cross ventilation, better transport and well-being facilities could also be addressed.

Improving well-being, Ms Dipa said, can be as easy as dedicating a small space within the dorm for a desk and chair.

“It would be great if there were medical facilities … I’m not saying a major clinic ... maybe a doctor that is available for a few hours every week and it doesn’t have to be every day.

“They’re human beings as well. If they have a fever, a toothache, some muscle pain, there’s somebody they can go to hopefully free-of-charge.”

LISTEN: Singapore's relationship with migrant workers: It's complicated?

She went on to explain that this space does not only need to be for medical access. It could also be used by an information provider, doctor, pro bono lawyers or even a counsellor.

“It’s not much to ask for, but it would make a huge difference,” she said.

Food, Mr Au said, is also a “very major part of a sense of well-being”, suggesting more kitchenettes in the new dorms would be welcome.

A meal that was distributed at Toh Guan Dormitory. (Photo: MOM)

In terms of laundry and ventilation, when workers hang their wet clothes in the rooms to dry, it makes the rooms very humid as well, he said. To fix this, he suggested having a back balcony for laundry away from where they sleep.

Cross ventilation also helps make rooms more comfortable with a draft of air, and for this, there should be windows on opposite sides.

A room at Sungei Tengah Lodge. (Source: 'Pangkil')

WATCH: Life in isolation - inside Singapore's foreign worker dorms

Transport access could be improved on too, he said.

“A fairly constant complaint is that transport access to the dormitories in the far flung regions of Singapore is difficult because they choose to build them in the industrial estate.

“A lot of workers are complaining that access is very difficult and what we would suggest is that it should be part of a dormitory operator’s contract to also provide regular shuttle services to the nearest MRT station.”

READ: MOM says working to improve conditions for S11 Dormitory, Westlite Toh Guan residents

In the short-term, authorities have stated that “some dormitories will inevitably be located closer to residential areas” because of land constraint issues.

In turn, the Government urged Singaporeans to reject the “not in my backyard” mindset as well, an issue that was highlighted online as push back mounted from people who cited “cleanliness” concerns and “cultural” differences as reasons against bringing dorms closer to residential areas.

“I think this is born out of lack of interaction with migrant workers and I think people are reacting based on stereotypes. Very few Singaporeans have ever met them, talked to them, worked alongside them … they’re just like you and me,” said Mr Au.

Ms Dipa added: “Just think of them as neighbours. They are human beings and they are here to help build Singapore.”

A resident is seen at Cochrane Lodge dormitory. (Photo: Jeremy Long)

READ: The Big Read - Solving Singapore’s foreign workers problem requires serious soul searching, from top to bottom

ENGAGEMENT AMONG GOVERNMENT, NGOS, WORKERS

As these new standards are to be piloted at the short-term Quick Build Dormitories (QBD) first, the Migrant Workers’ Centre hopes this can be a learning opportunity.

“The actual operation of QBDs with these new standards can provide learning points and highlight shortcoming that would be useful in the drafting of a more comprehensive set of standards for the new (Purpose Built Dormitories), said Chairman of the Centre Mr Yeo Guat Kwang said.

“Hence, it is still too early to deem if the changes proposed are adequate or lacking as there are still other areas like management standards that are not addressed yet.”

“The MWC would be glad to contribute to the discussion in the drafting of the new migrant workers housing standards.”

Foreign workers at the common corridor in Tuas View Dormitory on May 6, 2020. Tuas View Dormitory has been gazetted as an isolation area to curb the spread of COVID-19. (Photo: Jeremy Long)

With the new standards soon to be piloted, Mr Au added he would like to see more consultation between the Government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). This would allow for communication channels where different views are expressed.

Aside from just the Government and NGOs, Ms Dipa said migrant workers themselves should be part of the conversation to give feedback on issues with the existing living arrangements.

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments

Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the COVID-19 outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMicGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vbmV3cy9zaW5nYXBvcmUvY292aWQtMTktbmV3LW1pZ3JhbnQtZm9yZWlnbi13b3JrZXItZG9ybXMtc2luZ2Fwb3JlLXR3YzItMTI4MTg4OTDSAQA?oc=5

2020-06-09 22:31:33Z
CBMicGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vbmV3cy9zaW5nYXBvcmUvY292aWQtMTktbmV3LW1pZ3JhbnQtZm9yZWlnbi13b3JrZXItZG9ybXMtc2luZ2Fwb3JlLXR3YzItMTI4MTg4OTDSAQA

North Korea cuts communication lines to South - Yahoo Singapore News

View photos

North Korean students take part in a rally denouncing 'defectors from the North' as they march in Pyongyang

North Korea is severing all official communication links with the South, it announced Tuesday in a move analysts said was aimed at manufacturing a crisis on the divided peninsula.

Since last week the North has issued a series of vitriolic denunciations of the South over activists sending anti-Pyongyang leaflets over the border -- something defectors do on a regular basis.

In recent days authorities in the North have organised large-scale rallies across the country of citizens pledging their support, with inter-Korean ties at a standstill despite three summits between the North's leader Kim Jong Un and the South's President Moon Jae-in in 2018.

Tuesday's move cuts all official communication links between the two sides, but the immediate effect will be limited -- Pyongyang has refused to engage with Seoul for months, with few if any conversations on the lines aside from test calls.

The latest development comes just three days before the two-year anniversary of a landmark summit between Kim and US President Donald Trump in Singapore.

The United States said it was "disappointed" by the announcement, with a State Department spokesperson urging North Korea to "return to diplomacy and cooperation".

Negotiations over the North's nuclear programme have been deadlocked since the collapse of a second Trump-Kim meeting in Hanoi last year over what the North would be willing to give up in exchange for sanctions relief.

The impasse has left Pyongyang increasingly frustrated over the lack of concessions and analysts say it has taken no substantive steps towards giving up its weapons.

It has increasingly turned its anger towards Seoul rather than Washington, carrying out a series of weapons tests and other provocations in recent months -- including last month shooting at a South Korean guard post in the Demilitarized Zone that divides the peninsula.

Pyongyang "will completely cut off and shut down the liaison line" between North and South from noon on Tuesday, the official Korean Central News Agency said, along with military hotlines and a communication link between the headquarters of the North's ruling Workers' Party and the South's presidential office.

Hotline calls by the South to the North rang unanswered as the deadline expired, Seoul's unification ministry said.

The decision was taken by Kim Yo Jong, the leader's sister and key adviser, and ruling party vice chairman Kim Yong Chol, KCNA said, in an explicit demonstration of the sibling's increasing authority in government.

Last week she issued a statement threatening to scrap a military pact with the South and close a liaison office -- where activities have already been suspended for months due to the coronavirus outbreak.

- 'Disgusting riff-raff' -

Tuesday's statement repeatedly denounced defectors who send leaflets to the North by balloon and bottle criticising Kim over his weapons programmes and human rights abuses. It called them "disgusting riff-raff" and accused Seoul of complicity in their actions.

"This has driven the inter-Korean relations into a catastrophe," KCNA said, describing Seoul as an "enemy".

"We have reached a conclusion that there is no need to sit face to face with the south Korean authorities and there is no issue to discuss with them."

Analysts say the move signals an acceleration in Pyongyang's strategy to ramp up pressure on the South.

"This is North Korean policy," said Andrei Lankov, director of Korea Risk Group, adding that Pyongyang wanted to show the South that "their demand for financial giveaways cannot be ignored completely and safely".

Since last month's DMZ shooting -- which the South repeatedly insisted was accidental -- the North has "tried to shake up the situation with a low-level provocation", said Shin Beom-chul, an analyst at the Korea Research Institute for National Strategy.

"It is trying to shake South Korea's policy towards the North," he said.

"With Kim Yo Jong in charge, this won't be a one-time thing," he added. "They are starting with South Korea and the hard-line stance will expand to the US."

The two sides remain technically at war after Korean War hostilities ended with an armistice in 1953 that was never replaced with a peace treaty.

Pyongyang is subject to multiple UN Security Council sanctions over its banned weapons programmes but has carried out a series of tests in recent months -- often describing them as multiple launch rocket systems, although Japan and the US have called them ballistic missiles.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiWWh0dHBzOi8vc2cubmV3cy55YWhvby5jb20vbi1rb3JlYS1jdXQtY29tbXVuaWNhdGlvbi1saW5lcy1lbmVteS1zb3V0aC1rY25hLTIyMzk0OTE5NC5odG1s0gFhaHR0cHM6Ly9zZy5uZXdzLnlhaG9vLmNvbS9hbXBodG1sL24ta29yZWEtY3V0LWNvbW11bmljYXRpb24tbGluZXMtZW5lbXktc291dGgta2NuYS0yMjM5NDkxOTQuaHRtbA?oc=5

2020-06-09 15:31:00Z
52780839619403

Singapore ranks 4th-safest place amid Covid-19 pandemic: Study - The Straits Times

Singapore is among the safest places to live during the Covid-19 pandemic, a new study says, indicating that the authorities are well placed to lift restrictions aimed at reducing the spread of the coronavirus.

The country ranked fourth, just ahead of Japan, out of 200 nations and territories in a survey that took in 11,400 data points in categories that include quarantine efficiency, monitoring and detection as well as emergency preparedness.

The top spot went to Switzerland followed by Germany in the ranking released on June 4, done by Deep Knowledge Group, a consortium of companies and non-profits owned by Deep Knowledge Ventures, a Hong Kong-based investment firm.

The results bode well for efforts to lift some of the safe distancing measures after the circuit breaker period that ended on June 1.

Singapore also finished fourth in the same survey released in April just as cases of the coronavirus surged, owing to outbreaks among migrant workers living in dormitories.

"As regions begin to prepare for relaxing lockdown conditions and economic freezing mandates, factors which impact their capacity to withstand economic fallout as a result of the pandemic take on greater levels of importance," the report said.

Switzerland and Germany took top marks, leap-frogging previous winner Israel, because they acted early to contain the number of new cases, the report said.

With a population of 83 million, Germany's peak of new cases came on March 28, with nearly 6,300. Switzerland's came a day earlier, with 1,447.

By comparison, Singapore's worst day of the pandemic came three weeks later, with a disproportionately large 1,426 new cases on April 20.

Other places, which are deemed to have contained the virus but still saw second waves of infections, also fared relatively less well.

Taiwan, which has had zero new cases for at least a week, ranked 16th.

Vietnam, which posted a record 25 new infections on May 15, clocked in at number 20.

Germany reported most recently 214 new cases, compared with Singapore's 386.

In Switzerland, it was nine.

"It is clear they survived and surpassed a very critical stress-test," the report said of the Europeans.

Their recent moves in relaxing lockdowns and resuming economic and social activities are tangible evidence of this success, it added.

Even so, Singapore took top marks when it came to monitoring and detection, and squeaked past Switzerland to take second place on how it conducted its quarantine.

By comparison, Singapore fared relatively less well when measured for government efficiency, the survey said.

Singapore took top marks for monitoring and detection. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN

"The majority of positively scoring territories are located in Asia specifically... and one of the most common factors among them include governments with a high degree of emergency preparedness and rapid mobilisation of resources," the report said, singling out Singapore and China, which scored seventh.

But the report also illustrates how the pandemic is moving into a new, more dangerous phase, in which richer countries are battening down the hatches to wait for a vaccine while poorer countries struggle to even test for the virus.

Mali, Rwanda and South Sudan were the most dangerous places to live out the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the survey.

In Indonesia, which ranked 97th, just ahead of Cambodia, officials have begun a phased wind down of social distancing restrictions, even as the tally of new infections climb. As recently as last Saturday, new infections hit a record 996.

Still, officials are confident the capital can mitigate the spread.

Jakarta's MRT will cap passengers per car at 70 and do temperature checks of the commuters.

The MRT, which went into operation early last year, will even enlist the military to enforce a strict no-talking policy aimed at stopping commuters from spraying coronavirus onto others, Mr William Sabandar, managing director of the Jakarta MRT, told The Straits Times.

"If we pass this test, we can safely reopen and prevent a second wave."

Related Stories: 

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiZGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnN0cmFpdHN0aW1lcy5jb20vc2luZ2Fwb3JlL3NpbmdhcG9yZS1yYW5rcy00dGgtc2FmZXN0LXBsYWNlLWFtaWQtY292aWQtMTktcGFuZGVtaWMtc3R1ZHnSAQA?oc=5

2020-06-09 13:46:26Z
52780842313703