Saturday, April 25, 2026
Home Blog Page 1337

Pakistan reports 24 Covid deaths, 1758 confirmed cases

(Source: Twitter)

New Delhi (NVI): In Pakistan, a total of 24 people have died from coronavirus while 1758 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed, reports Dawn.

The country has 53 cases recovered from the disease so far. However, there has been a spike in the number of deaths today as there were only 14 fatalities yesterday. Coronavirus also claimed 2 more lives in Karachi today.

Meanwhile, Punjab province reported the highest number of cases at 638, followed by Sindh at 566. Balochistan has reported 152 cases while 51 cases are from Islamabad. Cases in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region today climbed to 217, while PoK reported 6 cases and Gilgit Baltistan 128 cases.

Many who have been tested positive in the neighboring country are pilgrims who returned from Iran, one of the worst-affected countries by the pandemic.

Rawalpindi also reported two deaths earlier today, while Gilgit-Baltistan reported the death of a medical professional yesterday, according to the country’s media reports.

Despite the lockdown, cases that were locally transmitted are being reported almost daily. However, it is not clear if the results coming forward are those of tests conducted a week before, reports in Pak media said.

Despite lockdown, cases that were locally transmitted are being reported almost daily.

Indians stranded in Cambodia seek evacuation

New Delhi (NVI): A group of Indian nationals in Cambodia has appealed for early evacuation, saying they were facing problems there amid coronavirus pandemic.

In a video message, three persons from the Sikh community are seen narrating the problems they are facing in Cambodia.

They say that they are being forced out of hotels and they do not have any shelter. They are also seen saying that they do not have any money to spend.

“We are about 200-250 Indians stuck in different cities here. We have no shelter and this government is not allowing us to stay in hotels as well. Our lives are in danger here, so we are asking for help from the Indian government,” says one of the members in the video.

The video has been shared by Shiromani Akali Dal leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa, who has requested External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to help these people.

“We request @DrSJaishankar Ji to help these Indians stuck in Cambodia If these Indians can’t be brought back, they should be given financial aid and supportive arrangements in Cambodia for the time being Urging @indembcam to address their concerns ASAP,” he tweeted.


In his tweet, the former Delhi MLA has also urged the Indian Embassy in Cambodia to address the concerns of stranded nationals.

Sirsa’s tweet came on a day when India airlifted 31 of its nationals from Afghanistan. The evacuees airlifted from Kabul were immediately transferred to ITPB Quarantine Facility at Chhawla on the outskirts of Delhi.

The Indian Government has been making every possible effort to evacuate its nationals stuck in foreign countries amid the coronavirus pandemic. So far, Indians have been evacuated from some of the worst-hit COVID-19 countries such as Iran, China, and Italy.

J&K: 11 test positive so far at SKIMS hsptl in Srinagar

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, Srinagar has treated 152 suspected coronavirus patients till now, while 11 people have tested positive for COVID-19 at the hospital so far.

According to the official figures of the hospital, 219 tests were conducted, in which 11 patients were tested positive; while reports of 208 patients were found negative.

“Nine COVID19 positive patients are presently under treatment in isolation ward of the hospital,” Director, SKIMS A.G. Ahangar said in a statement.

Besides, 91 suspected patients are admitted at the quarantine ward of the hospital, while 33 patients have been discharged so far.

Director SKIMS also said that, “the first positive case, an elderly lady with history of foreign travel and symptomatic thereof, admitted for management of   COVID-19 infection, has responded very well to the treatment and, in fact, recovered with the repeated tests as Negative in 24 hours on the 14th day. She has shown progressive recovery and is being shifted to Level-II for further Quarantine purpose.”

He said that on a threshold of observing massive influx of patients, the public at large is again requested to observe and follow all the Government Advisories as well as the instructions from various Health Institutions/Agencies with regard to prevention and control of this infection.

“Preventive measures to reduce the chances of infection include staying at home, avoiding crowded places, washing hands with soap and warm water, practicing good respiratory hygiene and avoiding touching the eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands should be followed,” Ahangar said.

He asked the public to follow official lockdown, avoid social or religious gatherings.

“Slowing the infection rate helps to decrease the risk of health services being overwhelmed allowing for better management of cases,” he said.

Seven fresh cases of coronavirus including maiden cases from south Kashmir were detected on Monday taking the number of such cases in J&K to 45.

COVID-19: Kashmir authorities warn of legal action if travel history not revealed

Srinagar (NVI): Exasperated authorities in Kashmir today asked people to immediately disclose their history of travel or contact with coronavirus positive persons, failing with legal action would be taken against them.

The final warning came as many people have been found hiding details of their travel history or contact with COVID-19 persons, endangering lives of others.

Pulwama District Magistrate said no case of self-reporting or voluntary disclosure of self-reporting will be entertained after 8 pm today.

He said any departure from disclosing travel history will be dealt with as per relevant laws and district police would initiate immediate action against such people, an official spokesman said.

The District Magistrate has been appealing people to shun irrational fear associated with disclosing their travel or the contact history with any COVID-19 positive person and cooperate with the authorities by self reporting of either history.

He urged the persons with any travel history to self report at established COVID-19 control room, on contact number 01933-240412 and 01933-240912, set up in CMO office .

Moreover, such persons can also contact Help Desk set up at CMO Office, Pulwama , Dr. Nuzhat on 7006130677and UZMA BASHIR on 9419297323.

Similarly people can also contact Help Desk established at PHC Awantipora, Dr Jaweed Mehmood on 9906785983 and Gh Hassan Magray on 8803948011 or can directly report https://pulwama.gov.in/notice/voluntary-report-of-travel-history/ uptill 8:00 pm today.

The authorities have reiterated that concealment of travel history or circumvention of screening would coerce the authorities to invoke relevant sections of IPC and stringent action shall be initiated under section 269 IPC( unlawfully or negligently doing something which is likely to spread infection of any dangerous disease to life), section 270 IPC ( malignant act likely to spread infection of dangerous disease to life), section 271 IPC (knowingly disobeying any quarantine rule) and section 188 IPC (for disobeying any Government order).

Bhutan increases quarantine period to 21 days

New Delhi (NVI): The Bhutan government today said that it has decided to increase quarantine period to 21 days starting tomorrow, amid the coronavirus outbreak.

“This is to ensure highest preventive measure,” said Bhutan PM in a tweet.

Bhutan so far has reported four positive cases of coronavirus. The first case of COVID-19 was reported in early March after a tourist visiting the country from Guwahati tested positive.

31 Indians evacuated from Afghanistan

New Delhi (NVI): India today airlifted 31 of its nationals from Afghanistan by a special plane and brought them here.

Those evacuated from Kabul were immediately transferred to ITBP Quarantine Facility at Chhawla on the outskirts of Delhi.

“31 Indian nationals from Kabul, Afghanistan brought to ITBP Quarantine Facility, Chhawla, New Delhi for 14 days Quarantine today,” ITBP tweeted.

Coronavirus cases jump to 49 in Bangladesh

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of positive cases in Bangladesh have reached 49, after one more coronavirus case was reported today, according to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).

So far, the virus has claimed 5 lives in the country, according to United News of Bangladesh.

Health Minister Zahid Maleque, while addressing a media briefing, said that 17 more labs will be set up for testing coronavirus infection.

Meanwhile, the prices of daily essentials fell significantly in Dhaka’s kitchen markets as hundreds of thousands of people left the capital during the government announced holiday to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

In the last 24 hours, 36 people have been released from institutional quarantine, 32 are still in quarantine and 62 are under isolation.

The camps in Cox’s Bazar, that hosts more than 1.1 million Rohinga Muslim refugees, are vulnerable to a high risk of coronavirus outbreak which could prove deadly for both the refugees and the local community.

But, Bangladesh government has included Rohingyas in the overall National Response Plan to curb the spread of the contagion, media reported.

‘Corona Kavach’ App to track infected people

New Delhi (NVI): The Government has launched a location-based COVID-19-tracking app called the ‘Corona Kavach’, that will alert users about whether they crossed paths with any person who has tested positive for the infection.

The app geo-traces users’ locations and lets them know if they’ve come in contact with a coronavirus-infected person. Its beta version on Google Play Store has already notched up more than 10,000 downloads in two days.

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, along with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched the COVID-19 tracker app.

The mobile app has been designed in such a way that it will alert the user about an infected person or patient in and around his//her locality. The app can be easily downloaded from Google Play Store. However, the app is currently available in beta version.

The app comes with additional features that can track your breathing capacity and a survey form which lets you check symptoms and guides you to see a doctor if needed.

It also includes government advisories and safety recommendations related to the COVID-19 and provides auto-updates.

The app asks for location access, after which you have to create an account through a simple mobile number verification.

It has been designed to keep one updated about the COVID-19 virus spread. It can track the data on an hourly basis.

For instance, if you happen to be near any corona infected person, this app will send alert signals to your device. It will be able to do that by tracking you and match the data with corona patients and indicate your proximity to them. App users can sign on to the Corona Kawach App through their mobile phone number. Once done, it will start tracking you through the GPS system and keep you updated.

The app shows infected persons around the user through color-coding. There are two colors in this app that reflect whether the user has come across a COVID-19 infected patient or not.

However, the app has been designed to keep one’s privacy in mind. It ensures there is no breach of privacy.

COVID-19: UT and state-wise list of helpline numbers

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): The Central government has put up a list of helpline numbers of all the states and Union Territories for the people to sort assistance and help related to novel coronavirus pandemic.

The total number of coronavirus cases in India has crossed 1,000. Till now the deadly virus has killed 29 people, according to the data provided by the Union Health Ministry.

There is a specific number for every state and Union Territory, where a person can directly reach out to the authorities for help.

There is also a central helpline number which is  +91-11-23978046 for queries related to coronavirus.

Here is a list of state and Union Territory-wise public helpline numbers for COVID-19.

1.Andhra Pradesh- 0866-2410978
2.Arunachal Pradesh -9436055743
3 Assam -6913347770
4 Bihar -104
5 Chhattisgarh-Bihar 104
5 Chhattisgarh -104
6 Goa -104
7 Gujarat -104
8 Haryana -8558893911
9 Himachal Pradesh- 104
10 Jharkhand -104
11 Karnataka- 104
12 Kerala -0471-2552056
13 Madhya Pradesh -0755-2527177
14 Maharashtra -020-26127394
15 Manipur -38524116615
16 Meghalaya -108
17 Mizoram -102
18 Nagaland -7005539653
19 Odisha -9439994859
20 Punjab -104
21 Rajasthan -0141-2225624
22 Sikkim -104
23 Tamil Nadu -044-29510500
24 Telangana -104
25 Tripura -0381-2315879
26 Uttarakhand- 104
27 Uttar Pradesh -18001805145
28 West Bengal -1800313444222, 03323412600,

Name of Union Territory (UT) and their Helpline Nos.

1 Andaman and Nicobar islands- 03192-232102
2 Chandigarh – 9779558282
3 Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu – 104
4 Delhi – 011-22307145
5 Jammu & Kashmir – 01912520982, 0194-2440283
6 Ladakh – 01982256462
7 Lakshadweep – 104
8 Puducherry – 104

Some COVID-19 myths busted, questions answered

Representative image

New Delhi (NVI): Ever since the coronavirus pandemic has spread far and wide across the world, several myths and beliefs in connection with the contagion have been making rounds on social media.

To put an end to this, World Health Organization (WHO) has released a list of myth busters, and Q&A to clear the air building around the spread and treatment of COVID-19.

Following are a few myths and facts:

Myth: COVID-19 virus cannot be transmitted in areas with hot and humid climates

FACT: From the evidence so far, the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in all areas, including areas with hot and humid weather. Regardless of climate, adopt protective measures if you live in, or travel to an area reporting COVID-19. The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your hands. By doing this you eliminate viruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection that could occur by then touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.

Myth: Cold weather and snow can kill the new coronavirus

FACT: There is no reason to believe that cold weather can kill new coronavirus or other diseases. The normal human body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the external temperature or weather. The most effective way to protect yourself against the new coronavirus is by frequently cleaning your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or washing them with soap and water.

Myth: Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body can kill coronavirus

FACT: No. Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body will not kill viruses that have already entered your body. Spraying such substances can be harmful to clothes or mucous membranes (i.e. eyes, mouth). Be aware that both alcohol and chlorine can be useful to disinfect surfaces, but they need to be used under appropriate recommendations.

Apart from the myths, here are some questions answered with respect to COVID-19:

Q: Do vaccines against pneumonia protect you against the new coronavirus?

No. Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, do not provide protection against the new coronavirus. The virus is so new and different that it needs its own vaccine. Researchers are trying to develop a vaccine against 2019-nCoV, and WHO is supporting their efforts.

Q: Can regularly rinsing your nose with saline help prevent infection with the new coronavirus?

No. There is no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from infection with the new coronavirus. There is some limited evidence that regularly rinsing nose with saline can help people recover more quickly from the common cold. However, regularly rinsing the nose has not been shown to prevent respiratory infections.

Q: Does the new coronavirus affect older people, or are younger people also susceptible?

People of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Older people and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus. WHO advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus, for example by following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene.

Q: Are antibiotics effective in preventing and treating the new coronavirus?

No, antibiotics do not work against viruses, only bacteria. The new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus and, therefore, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment. However, if you are hospitalized for the 2019-nCoV, you may receive antibiotics because bacterial co-infection is possible.

Q: Can eating garlic help prevent infection with the new coronavirus?

Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties. However, there is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus.

Q: Can an ultraviolet disinfection lamp kill the new coronavirus?

UV lamps should not be used to sterilize hands or other areas of skin as UV radiation can cause skin irritation.

Globally, a total of 7,22,435 infected cases have been reported with 33,997 deaths and 1,51,991 people have totally recovered from the coronavirus, according to John Hopkins University data.

Q: How effective are thermal scanners in detecting people infected with the new coronavirus?

Thermal scanners are effective in detecting people who have developed a fever (i.e. have a higher than normal body temperature) because of infection with the new coronavirus. However, they cannot detect people who are infected but are not yet sick with fever. This is because it takes between 2 and 10 days before people who are infected become sick and develop a fever.

1...1,3361,3371,338...1,586Page 1,337 of 1,586

MUST READ