New Delhi: The novel coronavirus pandemic continues to devastate countries across the world — the latest count being over 3.8 crore cases and more than 10 lakh deaths.
In Moscow, university students will replace older teachers in a bid to protect the more vulnerable people from infection. In Singapore, a 39-year-old Covid patient developed a rare a blood clot in his aorta. And in Kansas, a late Covid spike has hit rural counties hard.
ThePrint brings you the most important global stories on the coronavirus pandemic and why they matter.
Students to replace older teachers in Moscow amid coronavirus concern
University students are set to replace older teachers in Moscow as Russia reported a record number of cases, reports The Guardian.
The report notes Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin’s remarks who said that the decision was “not easy, but necessary” in order to protect the more vulnerable population. On Wednesday, the number of daily infections in Russia exceeded 14,000 for the first time.
“Primary schools will reopen, with trainee teachers and recent graduates brought in to run some classes under the ‘remote supervision’ of experienced staff,” the report highlights.
Russia has reported 13,40,409 cases and 23,205 deaths.
Covid-19 patient in Singapore gets rare complication of blood clot in aorta
In Singapore, a 39-year-old Covid-19 patient developed a rare complication due to a blood clot in his aorta, reports The Straits Times, as a result of which “he experienced acute pain in his right foot and developed early gangrene in three toes on that foot.”
The patient was cured using “a permanent aortic stent”, which was inserted through his groin.
The report also refers to studies that had found severe Covid-19 patients to be at risk of developing sticky blood and clots, which can lead to life-threatening complications.
Singapore has reported 57,889 cases and 28 deaths.
Also read: London on course for stricter Covid restrictions, could ban 2 households from meeting indoors
Covid flare-up closes beaches in Mexico’s Oaxaca
Authorities in Mexico’s Oaxaca have closed down beaches and implemented a ban on alcohol following a large outbreak of Covid-19, reports Mexico News Daily.
On Monday, Oaxaca became one of the seven states to be classified in the orange light or “high risk” category.
The report highlights the official statement issued by the Oaxaca Health Ministry, according to which all the beaches will remain closed and the permitted capacity of restaurants and hotels will be reduced to 40 per cent and 20 per cent respectively.
“The statement also said that bars must close; that the installation of street stalls in the Punta Zicatela area would be prohibited; that the sale of alcohol in the entire municipality would be banned; and that no parties or events would be allowed,” notes the report.
Mexico has reported 8,29,396 cases and 84,898 deaths.
Covid spike arrives late, hits hard in rural Kansas county in US
The US’ rural communities in Kansas are witnessing a delayed spike in the number of cases, reports The Washington Post.
The report points to the dire situation in Gove, a county that has only has a 22-bed centre out of which a handful of beds have been dedicated to coronavirus patients.
“The local nursing home had most of its 30-plus residents test positive, and six have died since late September,” it stated.
The report notes that US President Donald Trump, who has famously discounted the necessity of masks, is popular in the county “and local officials quickly abandoned a mask mandate this summer after getting heat from some local residents”.
The US has recorded 81,50,043 cases and 2,21,843 deaths.
Canada’s Ontario reviews guidelines for gyms after 69 cases linked to Hamilton spin studio
Nearly 70 cases of Covid-19 in Ontario, which is home to Canada’s capital city Ottawa and most populous city Toronto, were linked with a spin class, prompting authorities to review guidelines for gyms and fitness centres, reports The Globe and Mail.
The report quotes associate medical officer of health, Barbara Yaffe, who said, “Even though they followed guidelines, there was obviously significant transmission.” She added that the setting of a gym itself “makes people interact”.
In Toronto, 21 cases were linked to adult recreational hockey, and the discussion over whether to keep gyms open has witnessed some heated arguments.
“Toronto Mayor John Tory called the process involving a public-health-measures table “too opaque,” while Ottawa city council passed a motion supporting the business community’s demand that Ontario explain the data behind imposing restrictions on the capital city,” the report notes.
Canada has reported 1,89,387 cases and 9,664 deaths
What else we are reading:
Thousands of retirees face being pushed onto pension by pandemic: The Sydney Morning Herald
How migrants are aiding the global fight against coronavirus: Arab News
Also read: Why Covid vaccine supply will be like shipping ‘iPhone 12 on steroids’ for logistics industry