New Delhi: The novel coronavirus pandemic continues to devastate countries across the world — the latest count being over 5.3 crore cases and more than 12 lakh deaths.
Classes in kindergartens and child care centers have been suspended after cases of upper respiratory tract infections were reported in Hong Kong. A coronavirus case was detected in the first cruise ship to sail the Caribbean since the pandemic began and the Canadian cities Quebec and Ontario contemplate extending winter breaks amid surge in infections.
ThePrint brings you the most important global stories on the coronavirus pandemic and why they matter.
Hong Kong residents suffer from post-Covid respiratory infections
Classes in all kindergartens and child care centers have been suspended after cases of upper respiratory tract infections were detected in Hong Kong, reports Asia Times.
About 170 outbreaks, involving around 1,900 people, have been recorded in the country. Of these, 60 per cent involved kindergartens and day care centres, the report quotes Sophia Chan, the Secretary for Food and Health as saying.
Ivan Hung, Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, said that a fourth wave of coronavirus infections had probably begun. In fact, the strain of infections was found to be different from previous ones and bore resemblance to the one in Nepal.
“Recently, we have confirmed that from mid-October onwards, the strain of the coronavirus has changed significantly, meaning that probably the fourth wave has already begun,” Hung was quoted as saying in the report.
Hong Kong has recorded 5,431 cases of Covid-19 and 108 deaths so far.
Also read: G-20 works to firm up debt relief plan for poor, Covid-hit nations & it’s counting on China
Quebec and Ontario plan to extend winter break as Covid cases increase
Canada’s two largest provinces — Quebec and Ontario — are contemplating extending the winter school breaks as Covid-19 cases continue to rise, reports The Globe and Mail.
“Provincial governments have been reluctant to close schools, even temporarily, pointing to the social and emotional well-being of children. However, as the pandemic caseload in communities increases, educators and public-health officials worry how this will affect classrooms,” notes the report.
Canada has recorded 2,82,577 Covid-19 cases and 10,768 deaths so far.
Covid case detected on first cruise ship to sail Caribbean since pandemic
A passenger aboard the first cruise ship to resume sailing in the Caribbean since the start of the pandemic tested positive for coronavirus four days into the trip, reports NBC News.
The captain of the ship reportedly announced that the passenger has tested positive on a “preliminary basis”.
“The news came four days into the ship’s seven-day voyage after it left Barbados on Saturday with 53 passengers on board. It had traveled to Saint Vincent, Canouan Island, Tobago Cays, and Union Island in the Grenadines and was scheduled to end on Nov. 14 but returned to Barbados early,” the report notes.
11 new Covid-19 cases detected in Singapore
On Thursday, 11 new coronavirus cases were detected in Singapore and all of them were imported, reports The Straits Times.
The country’s health ministry revealed that all these imported cases were given stay-home notices on arrival.
“They comprised one Singaporean, three permanent residents, two work pass holders, two work permit holders, one dependant’s pass holder and two short-term visit pass holders,” says the report.
Singapore has recorded 58,102 cases of Covid-19 cases and 28 deaths.
Also read: China under pressure to reveal Covid vaccine data after Pfizer success
Saudi Arabia says it will be ‘one of the first’ countries to receive vaccine
Saudi Arabia’s assistant deputy health minister for preventive health Abdullah Al-Assiri said that the kingdom has signed an agreement to receive the earliest supplies of coronavirus vaccines, which have reached clinical trials, reports Arab News.
“Saudi Arabia will be one of the first countries to receive the vaccines,” Al-Assiri said during an interview.
Saudi Arabia has recorded 3,52,160 cases of Covid-19 and 5,605 deaths so far.
Increase in Covid cases in Sweden ‘dashes’ hopes of immunity
There has been a significant increase in infections and hospitalisations in Sweden, as the country is now fighting second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, reports The Guardian.
Studies have revealed that the immunity in Stockholm is much lower than the government had previously predicted.
“All studies carried out so far suggest immunity in and around Stockholm is significantly lower than the national health agency predicted. Twenty per cent of Covid-19 tests in the capital last week were positive, compared with 16% and 8.4% in previous weeks,” the report notes.
Sweden has recorded 1,71,365 cases of Covid-19 and 6,122 deaths so far.
What else we are reading:
Scientist behind BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine says it can end pandemic: The Guardian
French sniffer dogs detect Covid-19 with 94% accuracy: The Connexion
Also read: Britain’s ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ posters show just how messy its Covid response is