New Delhi: The Covid-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc in the world. The latest count being more than 13 crore cases and 28 lakh deaths.
Five million students in Malaysia started going back to school for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic and Peru has recorded the highest number of coronavirus-related deaths ever reported in the country. ThePrint highlights some of the important stories from around the world.
How pandemic has changed praying in Canada
Owing to the coronavirus pandemic, a growing number of believers pray online in Canada, reports Globe and Mail.
“Praying is back, and while its form is changing, it isn’t likely to disappear,” said the report.
At least 40 people turn up online for the 7.30 am prayer at Toronto’s Blossom Temple. The report added that this number is four times more than the number of people who attended before the pandemic.
Yael Splansky, Blossom’s senior rabbi said that there is an eagerness among people to pray. “Other people have found that it (praying) has opened awareness of matters of the spirit. That’s why I think we’ve seen an uptick in people logging on for prayer of all kinds,” Splansky said.
Canada has recorded 10,03,988 cases of Covid-19 and 23,062 deaths.
Also read: Can AI tell us how severe patient’s Covid infection will be? Study finds promising results
Students in Malaysia back to school for first time since pandemic
On 5 April, five million students in Malaysia returned to school for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic, reports The Straits Times.
Prior to this, some schools that had been opened were forced close since students and teachers tested positive for the virus.
“Parents and teachers agree that if there is one lesson to be learnt from the past year living under Covid-19, it is that online learning has been an inadequate substitute for the experience and teaching in physical classrooms,” said the report.
Malaysia has recorded 3,50,959 cases of Covid-19 and 1,288 deaths.
Peru reports record Covid-19 deaths ahead of elections
Peru has recorded the highest number of coronavirus related deaths ever reported in the country. This came as millions in Peru were preparing to elect a new president on the coming weekend, reports Al Jazeera.
On Saturday, 294 deaths were reported in the country. This was an increase from a record of 277 deaths reported in August 2020.
“The pandemic has pushed Peru deeper into political and economic uncertainty, and recent polls show as many as 30 per cent of Peruvians will vote blank next Sunday,” said the report.
Peru has recorded 15,82,367 cases of Covid-19 and 52,877 deaths.
Also read: Not just more vaccines, India needs to vaccinate faster, open private sales, import shots
‘Drastic’ rise in Covid-19 cases in Saudi Arabia
There has been a significant increase in Covid-19 cases in Saudi Arabia, reports Arab News. This has prompted authorities to raise an alarm among public to follow coronavirus guidelines.
The Health Ministry said that infected patients could be fined up to $53,000 if they violated quarantine measures.
“On Sunday, 673 new cases were reported, raising the total number of those infected to 3,92,682,” said the report.
Saudi Arabia has recorded 3,92,682 cases of Covid-19 and 6,697 deaths.
What else we are reading:
Everyone in England to be offered twice weekly Covid tests, PM to say: The Guardian
Vaccine tourists welcome as Serbians say ‘no thanks’ to jabs: The Straits Times