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WHO launches Health Alert service on WhatsApp

New Delhi (NVI):  The World Health Organization (WHO) has created a health alert on WhatsApp to keep people aware and updated about the coronavirus pandemic and combat misinformation.

As the coronavirus pandemic spreads which has infected more than 2,25,000 people and killed more than 11,000 people globally, people are turning to the World Health Organization for official, trusted health information and advice.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg announced the move on his social media platform and said that Faceboom and Whatsapp have worked together with WHO to get “authoritative information” about coronavirus sent directly to a person’s WhatsApp account.

The new service, which is free to use, has been designed to answer questions from the public about COVID-19, and to give prompt, reliable and official information 24 hours a day, worldwide. This will also serve government decision-makers by providing the latest numbers and situation reports.

To avail this service, WhatsApp users can save the number +41 79 893 1892 into their phone contacts and text the word “Hi” in a WhatsApp message to begin receiving alerts.

Information provided in the WHO Health Alert includes tips on protection from the infection, travel advice and debunking myths about the coronavirus pandemic.

The service is initially being launched in English but will be available in all six United Nations languages within the coming weeks (English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish.)

Director-General of WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “Digital technology gives us an unprecedented opportunity for vital health information to go viral and spread faster than the pandemic, helping us save lives and protect the vulnerable. We are proud to have partners like Facebook and WhatsApp, that are supporting us in reaching billions of people with important health information.”

The WHO Health Alert is the latest official NGO or government helpline to become available on WhatsApp, joining the Singapore Government, The Israel Ministry of Health, the South Africa Department of Health, and KOMINFO Indonesia.

Earlier this week WhatsApp, in partnership with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and UNDP, launched the WhatsApp Coronavirus Information Hub, to provide simple guidance for health workers, community leaders, local governments and local businesses that rely on WhatsApp to communicate.

Coronavirus crisis can open doors for cyber attacks: WEF

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): As coronovirus continues to spread across the globe, the pandemic has also increased the risk of cyber attacks, according to World Economic Forum (WEF).

An emergency like this could cause people opening the door to cyber criminals. “In a crisis situation, particularly if prolonged, people tend to make mistakes they would not have made otherwise,” it explained.

Additionally, spending more time online could increase the risks that internet users face. “Inadvertently risky Internet behavior increases with more time spent online,” the WEF said.

Internet has almost instantly become the channel for effective human interaction and the primary way we work, contact and support one another.

A cyber attack that deprives organizations or families of access to their devices, data or the internet could be devastating.

With the world battling to contain the coronavirus outbreak, a cyber attack could wreak real destruction.

“In a worst case scenario, broad-based cyber attacks could cause widespread infrastructure failures that take entire communities or cities offline, obstructing healthcare providers, public systems and networks,” WEF said.

Debbie Gordon, CEO of cybersecurity specialist Cloud Range Cyber said, “Now more than ever, people need to be even more aware of fraud emails, especially ones that refer to COVID-19 in any form or fashion whether it’s a cure, reports of cases, or really anything that would make people very curious”.

The majority of cyber attacks – by some estimates, 98% – deploy social engineering methods. Cybercriminals are extremely creative in devising new ways to exploit users and technology.

The firms also need to be extra alert. They have to be even more proactive in detecting threats and looking at abnormality in their systems given that the hackers are aware that people are scrambling and can have their attention focused somewhere else.

There has already been evidence of the threats that cyber attackers pose during the coronavirus crisis. As the U.S. ramped up its efforts to control the outbreak, a cyber attack recently hit the Department of Health and Human Services.

Teesta River bridge opened for public

New Delhi (NVI): A 360-feet long bailey suspension bridge over Teesta River in Munshithang near Chungthang town in Sikkim was opened for general public by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) today.

This came as a relief to the residents of Lachen in North Sikkim.

The bridge will give impetus to tourism and facilitate the movement of logistics for the Armed Forces deployed in forward areas. The approach roads to the bridge have also been constructed.

The construction of the bridge was commenced in October 2019 by the 86 Road Construction Company of 758 Border Roads Task Force (BRTF), under Project Swastik and was completed by January 2020.

In June 2019, a steel bridge of 180-feet span was completely damaged due to a massive cloud burst resulting in severing the lines of communication in North Sikkim. The connectivity was kept open by routing the traffic through restricted Army land.

Disabled persons at greater risk from coronavirus: WHO

New Delhi (NVI): About 15 per cent of the global population, which lives with some form of disability,  runs a higher risk of contracting coronavirus, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

”An estimated one billion people and roughly 15 per cent of the world’s population live with some form of disability,” it said.

”People with disabilities experience an increased risk of contracting coronavirus. Some may have difficulties in implementing basic hygiene measures to keep the virus at bay. Others may not be able to practice social distancing because they require care or other support, ” said Lindsay Lee, WHO’s technical officer.

So far, there have been more than 200,000 cases worldwide, and over 8,000 deaths have taken place due to the pandemic coronavirus outbreak.

Some people with disabilities who contract the virus could develop a severe case of the disease as it can worsen existing health conditions, particularly related to immune response or respiratory function, Lee said.

It is recommended that people with disabilities devise back-up plans in the event their caregivers might be reluctant to come into work.

Above all, governments must ensure societies are accessible to this population, including within health care settings, she said, citing WHO guidance.

Catalina Devandas Aguilar UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities underlined that reasonable accommodation measures are essential during the outbreak to enable people with disabilities to reduce contacts and the risk of contamination.

Furthermore, people with disabilities should be allowed to work from home or be granted paid leave, to guarantee their income security.

“Access to additional financial aid is also vital to reduce the risk of people with disabilities and their families falling into greater vulnerability or poverty,” she added.

Health and Human rights experts stressed that during the current outbreak, authorities must provide public health information that is accessible to people with disabilities, such as using sign language, captioning, text messages and relay services.

Passengers from Australia, UK, USA also to be screened

New Delhi (NVI): Universal screening of all passengers coming from Australia, United Kingdom and the United States will be done at 30 designated airports in India and assess their risk profile for their quarantine or isolation, the Union Health Ministry has announced.

The Health Ministry has released a directive in this regard to all the chief secretaries, airport health organisations and officers concerned, saying universal screening is being expanded in view of rise in number of cases and deaths being reported in these countries.

Passengers arriving from 12 countries including China, South Korea, Japan, Italy, Iran, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Nepal, and Indonesia are already being screened.

Till now, a total of 271 positive cases of coronavirus have been reported in India, according to Indian Council of Medical Research.

Whatsapp helpdesk set up for COVID-19

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today shared a link to the government’s Whatsapp MyGov Corona Help Desk, which has been set up to check misinformation about coronavirus.

“Sharing correct information, avoiding incorrect panic. Here is an effort by WhatsApp and government to ensure you receive accurate and verified information on Coronavirus,” PM Modi tweeted.

In a series of tweets, he also praised Twitter and Google for taking their initiative to curb fake news and spread awareness about coronavirus and its related updates among the people.

Twitter India launched a dedicated COVID-19 page where it shows all the tweets about Coronavirus from the Indian authorities.

While Google has initiated a new campaign called “Do the Five”, which suggests people should wash hands often, use elbow while coughing, keep a safe distance from other people, should not touch face and stay at home if possible.

3 Kashmiri scholars fled from AMU quarantine; traced in Kashmir

Aligarh Muslim University

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir administration today traced three out of four Ph.D scholars who had escaped during quarantine from Aligarh Muslim University.

On March 18, four Ph.D. scholars from Kashmir had escaped from the quarantine ward in Aligarh. These scholars had returned to India from the UAE and their university had kept them  in quarantine.

A letter issued by the medical authorities at the AMU had said three scholars fled the isolation wards without informing the authorities

While three of them have been traced, the fourth Kashmiri scholar is still untraced.

Two scholars were traced in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, while one was traced in Anantnag district. They have been shifted to Health Centres for examination.

Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Shahid Choudhary said in a tweet said, “Unfortunate. Anyone hiding travel history/avoiding screening/facilitating exits could be guilty of culpable homicide. Threat is at doorsteps. Let’s behave.”

Jammu and Kashmir Students Association spokesperson Nasir Khuehami claimed these scholars were denied proper quarantine facility at AMU and compelled to seek refuge in isolation at home. “AMU administration, in order to save its skin, released the notice shortly after the said scholars returned home,” he said in a tweet.

He further said, “The interesting point is that one of the AMU research scholars from Department of Botany with a recent travel history to Spain, attended his Lab as usual without being quarantined or self-isolating himself.”

COVID-19 positive people found traveling in trains, Indian Railways warns

New Delhi (NVI): A number of passengers who travelled by various trains in India over the last few days have been tested positive, prompting the Indian Railways today to advise people not to travel by passenger and long-distance trains unless absolutely necessary.

“Passengers are advised to avoid non essential travel for the safety of fellow citizens,” said a tweet by Ministry of Railways.

“8 passengers who had travelled on AP Sampark Kranti Express from Delhi to Ramagundam on March 13 have tested positive of COVID-19 yesterday,” said a tweet by the Ministry of Railways.

In another tweet, the ministry said, ”4 passengers travelling on Godan Express (Train 11055) from Mumbai to Jabalpur on March 16 in B1 Coach have been tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday. They came to India from Dubai last week. All concerned have been alerted to take necessary action.”

It added, “Such cases are being found on Railways. Public is requested not to travel on passenger and long distance trains unless absolutely necessary. Be safe and keep others safe.”

Microplastics are present everywhere: UNEP report

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): Microplastics are present everywhere, be it in fresh water, marine ecosystems and soils, according to analysis of water and sediment worldwide, conducted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Protecting water bodies and the landscape from microplastics is a major issue.

Microplastics are very small pieces of plastic that pollute the environment, defined as less than 5mm in size.

The demand for plastic and its produce is rising for more and more every year, much of which eventually finds its way into rivers, lakes and the ocean. Many plastic products are essential, but there is a need to consider the trade-offs which include microplastic pollution and global heating, according to a UNEP report.

In Europe and North America, hundreds of thousands of tonnes of microplastics are added to soil annually through sewage sludge.

Microplastics are directly released into the environment in the form of small particulates. These enter water bodies through different pathways, including atmospheric deposition, run-off from contaminated land or through municipal wastewater.

This is a major concern as they not only create water pollution and remain in the atmosphere for millions of years, but also causes gut blockage and starvation for many marine species like zooplankton, river-bed organisms, and mussels through their intestinal tract.

Over time, plastic products tend to shed smaller particles through natural weathering processes, creating microplastics.

These come in a large variety of sizes, colours and chemical compositions, and include fibres, fragments, pellets, flakes, sheets or foams.

Microfibres, which have been reported as the most abundant type of microplastics in wastewater and freshwaters, are of particular concern.

“Water pollution by microplastics is complex and multidimensional, and managing it effectively requires a range of responses,” says Birguy Lamizana, a wastewater expert with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and co-author of a study on microplastics in wastewater.

“Around 35 per cent of microplastics in the oceans are believed to originate from the washing of synthetic textiles,” says Javier Mateo-Sagasta, the water quality coordinator with the International Water Management Institute and a co-author of the study.

He added that, “One possible solution is to develop household-based systems to prevent microplastics from being released into sewer lines or the environment. Technologies exist, for instance, which are able to remove 97 per cent of microfibres.”

Three more test positive in Ladakh; strict restrictions in Kashmir

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): Three more women have tested positive for coronavirus in Ladakh, raising the number of such patients in the Union Territory to 13, officials said today.

These three women have no travel history to any coronavirus-affected country, officials at Leh-based Chief Medical Officer (CMO) said.

“These patients were in contact with the affected,“ officials said.

In Jammu and Kashmir, four cases have tested positive while 3330 travellers and other people in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for observation.

At least, 2465 people have been kept under home quarantine while 44 are in hospital quarantine.

People, who are under home surveillance, stand at 416 while as 405 people have completed their 28-day surveillance period.

Meanwhile, strict restrictions on movement and assembly of people continued in Kashmir for the third consecutive day as part of efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Adequate security forces had been deployed and barricades put up at several places in Srinagar.

Markets across the Valley are shut, public transport is off the roads and train services too are suspended.

Educational institutes and public places such as gymnasiums, parks, clubs and restaurants have been shut down.

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