Tag: covid 19

  • Death by suicide killed more people in October than COVID-19 in Japan

    At least 2,153 people committed suicide in Japan in the month of October while the total number of deaths from COVID-19 is 2,087, according to the latest statistics shared by the government of Japan. As per Japan’s National Police Agency data, the number of suicide cases increased to 2,153 in October from 1,805 in September.

    The data also revealed that COVID-19 has taken a disproportionately higher toll on women than men. Suicide among women increased by almost 83% last month compared to the same month the previous year. In comparison, male suicides rose by approximately 22% over the same time period.

    Layoffs, social isolation and anxiety triggered by the pandemic are said be the key causes behind the surge in suicide rate.

    Japan is one of the few developed countries that release suicide data frequently and has the world’s second-highest suicide rate after South Korea but the suicide rate in the country was declining until the pandemic.

    Unlike, most countries impact of COVID-19 has not been very severe in Japan but the country’s existing mental health crisis has been made worse because of the pandemic.

    Earlier this year, the United Nations issued a warning that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic could create a global mental health crisis. According to a survey conducted by World Health Organisation, the demand for mental health services has increased worldwide. The survey also revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted or halted critical mental health services in 93% countries.

    Meanwhile, WHO has also recommended all adults to do a minimum of 150 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week, even more, for well-being and mental health in the COVID-19 era. It has also recommended children and adolescents to include an average of one hour of daily physical exercise into their routines and limit time in front of electronic screens.

    People of all ages must compensate for growing sedentary behaviour with physical activity to ward off disease and add years to their lives, it added.

  • COVID-19: WHO recommends adults to workout for 150 minutes per week

    All adults should do a minimum of 150 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week, even more, for well-being and mental health in the COVID-19 era, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said.

    WHO also recommended that children and adolescents have an average of one hour of daily physical exercise and limit time in front of electronic screens.

    People of all ages must compensate for growing sedentary behaviour with physical activity to ward off disease and add years to their lives, it added.

    “Increasing physical activity not only helps prevent and manage heart disease, type-2 diabetes and cancer, it also reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety, reduces cognitive decline including Alzheimer’s and improves memory,” Ruediger Krech, WHO director for health promotion said.

    Yet one in four adults and a “staggering” four out of five adolescents do not get enough physical activity, which can include walking, cycling, gardening and cleaning, the WHO said.

    “These guidelines emphasise what many are experiencing during the COVID restrictions that are applied all over the world. And that is that being active every day is good not only our bodies but also our mental health,” said Fiona Bull, head of WHO’s physical activity unit.

    “Phone a friend and do classes online together, help your family members, do it as a family. And when you can, get outside,” she said.

    Read more – Workout at home with Katrina Kaif’s routine

    Research into the ill-effects of sedentary behaviour has grown in the past decade, leading to the new advice, Bull said.

    “That is limit sedentary time, and do more activity to offset sedentary time, particularly for those who do long hours of sedentary, which includes a lot of people who have got office-based work environments,” she said. “For children we also recommend they limit sedentary time, particularly screen time.”

    Pregnant women and postpartum mothers are now included in the recommendations of 150 to 300 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity per week for adults.

    This brings health benefits for both the mother and baby, according to Juana Willumsen, a WHO technical officer.

    “For example there is a 30% reduction in gestational diabetes amongst women who are physically active during pregnancy,” she said.

    Adults above 65 are advised to add muscle strengthening and activities focusing on balance and coordination to help prevent falls later.

    Devices worn on the wrist or hip that track physical activity are helpful for all, Bull said.

    “Monitoring how active you are is very good feedback,” she said. “That is important because we tend to think we might be more active. We tend to underestimate how much time we spend sedentary.”

  • Politics in the time of corona

    Politics in the time of corona

    The second wave of COVID-19 is here in Pakistan. The number of new coronavirus cases in the last few weeks has been gradually increasing. Reports indicate that hospital beds for corona-positive patients in several cities have reached maximum capacity.

    Pakistan had quite successfully controlled the coronavirus after its first wave. By August, the number of cases had gone down considerably. However, the success was short-lived. Come winter, the second wave was sudden but it spread quite rapidly. The positivity rate has now reached 7 percent in a matter of weeks. It is important that people follow SOPs like wearing a mask, sanitising their hands frequently, and maintaining social distance. Unfortunately, most of us have become careless.

    On top of that, both the Opposition and the government are also being irresponsible. Leaders lead by examples but our leadership wants to spend more time in political point-scoring and blame-game than doing something for the people. The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) has refused to postpone their rallies despite the fact that it can risk the lives of thousands of people who will be attending those jalsas.

    As if the PDM jalsas are not enough of super-spreader events, government officials don’t want to be left behind. Federal Minister Asad Umar, who also chairs the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC), addressed a workers’ convention titled ‘Youth of Sukkur’ just yesterday.

    Tomorrow, the PDM is holding a rally in Multan. Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari will be addressing the rally via video link because he contracted COVID-19 after the Peshawar jalsa. Both the Opposition and the government need to stop all public gatherings.

    Opposition leaders who are making light of the global pandemic by saying that the government is more dangerous than COVID-19 should really stop. They not just sound absurd but making light of a virus that can be deadly is highly irresponsible. The government, instead of threatening the Opposition and arresting their workers and leadership, should talk to the PDM leadership and talk them out of holding rallies. Such political rallies can hardly be stopped through sheer force. The Opposition really needs to put aside their egos and postpone their rallies for the larger good of the public. If our leadership will not set an example by acting responsibly, the public will not either.

    Educational institutions have now been closed. If people are not careful, soon the government may have to close down public places like parks, restaurants, gyms, malls, etc. We cannot take this new wave lightly. People are losing their lives across the world. We must stay vigilant.

  • Mariyam Nafees tests positive for COVID-19 days after attending Rabab Hashim’s mehndi

    Mariyam Nafees tests positive for COVID-19 days after attending Rabab Hashim’s mehndi

    Mariyam Nafees has announced that she has tested positive, days after attending Rabab Hashim’s mehndi. The actor shared that she is isolating at home.

    “Greetings from isolation,” wrote Mariyam on social media. “Unfortunately, I’ve added to the COVID count by testing positive.”

    “Harsh symptoms and away from home, so here’s requesting lots and lots of prayers,” she added.

    Nafees also urged people to protect themselves, wear mask and take the necessary precautionary measures.

    The actor was last spotted at Rabab’s mehndi.

    Mariyam with Rabab on her Mehndi

    Mariyam shared a screenshot on her Instagram story of co-actor Usman Khalid Butt texting to know about her health but he made a big blunder. Instead of writing How are you doing, he wrote, “How are you dying?”

    Rabab, who is famous for her roles in Qarrar and Piya Mann Bhaye, got hitched to Sohaib Shamshad in an intimate wedding. Pictures from her nikkah and rukhsati are being widely circulated on social media.

    Rabab looked ethereal in a cream and pale peach outfit paired with emerald jewellery, while the groom looked dapper in an off-white sherwani.

    Wishing Rabab all the best for the new chapter in her life.

  • Bilawal tests positive for coronavirus, goes into isolation

    Bilawal tests positive for coronavirus, goes into isolation

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has tested positive for coronavirus a day after the test results of his political secretary Jameel Soomro came back positive.

    In a tweet, Bilawal shared that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and has mild symptoms. “I have tested positive for #COVIDー19 & am self isolating with mild symptoms. I‘ll continue working from home & will be addressing PPP foundation day via video link. Wear a mask everyone, see you on the other side IA,” the PPP chief shared.

    The PPP chief was planning to host Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) gathering at Qila Kohna Qasim Bagh Stadium in Multan on November 30 to mark the party’s 53rd foundation day. However, now he will be addressing the event via video link.

    Meanwhile, Bilawal House, Karachi, also went into lockdown after Soomro tested positive for the virus. Its staffers, including security guards, were barred from entering the house without negative test reports. According to reports, the directives were issued by former president Asif Ali Zardari.

    It may be mentioned here that the PDM — an anti-government alliance that the PPP is a part of — held a rally in Peshawar last week in spite of ban on the political gathering in the wake of an increase in COVID cases. There has been a significant increase in the cases over the past few weeks, with Pakistan reporting over 3,000 cases on Nov 25 — for the first time since July.

  • Islamabad to get a ‘car cinema’ next month

    Islamabad to get a ‘car cinema’ next month

    Islamabadis are in for a treat as the Capital Development Authority (CDA) plans to open a drive-in cinema in the city next month.

    Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Hamza Shafqaat shared the news while responding to a Twitter user, who suggested that a car cinema should be opened in Islamabad given the rise in COVID-19 cases.

    “Sir given, we have Covid-19 on the rise and there can’t be any big gathering in the city, how about DC office plan a car theatre every weekend in F9 until things are back to normal. Food vendors can put stalls and serve in cars,” said Twitter user Faizan Khan.

    Replying to his tweet, DC Islamabad hinted that the Islamabad administration is planning to launch a car cinema next month.

    Later, the official Twitter account of CDA Islamabad tweeted that that authority is working towards setting up an “open-air cinema of international standards” in the city.

    Drive-in cinemas have gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic as people are forced to maintain physical distance. Several countries around the world have set up car cinemas to keep their citizens entertained during the lockdown while following SOPs.

    International airport in Lithuania
    Dortmund, Germany
    Marl, Germany
    Mall of the Emirates, Dubai
    Austin, Texas
    Seoul, South Korea
     A technical museum in Speyer, Germany
  • Schools to be closed from Nov 26 as COVID-19 cases increase

    Schools to be closed from Nov 26 as COVID-19 cases increase

    Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood announced on Monday that all schools across the country will close down from November 26 to January 10, 2021, to control the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

    “All ministers have mutually decided that to keep all educational institutions, including schools, colleges, universities, and tuition centres closed. However, online classes will continue from November 26 to December 24 after which winter break will start. Schools will reopen on January 11, 2021,” he said.

    “When we say all educational institutions will close on Nov 26 and students will home learn, we mean ALL institutions without exception,” clarified the minister later.

    As per reports, the decision was taken during the Inter-Provincial Education Ministers Conference (IPEMC) to discuss school closures, headed by Mahmood.

    He said that all examinations will be postponed, except for a few professional exams which will take place.

    The minister added that a “review session” will be organised during the first week of January to analyse the country’s virus outbreak and that a decision will be taken accordingly.

    As the country witnessed a surge in coronavirus cases, the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) had suggested early and extended vacations.

    In recent weeks, the country’s COVID-19 cases and deaths have seen a sharp increase. The country has reported 376,929 coronavirus cases and 7,696 deaths so far.

  • Labbaik leader Khadim Rizvi passes away

    Renowned cleric and Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi passed away on Thursday.

    Earlier it was reported that he was suffering from high-grade fever for the past couple of days, which had led to speculations if he was suffering from COVID-19.

    The same was claimed by journalist Mubashir Zaidi, who quoted a hospital spokesperson.

    While TLP leaders have confirmed reports of Rizvi’s passing, conflicting reports claim that the cleric was not suffering from any illness.

    Meanwhile, condolences are pouring in over social media as people say they “forgive” the late religious leader who was known for his aggressive speeches besides promotion of extremist element in the religio-political landscape of the country.

    He had just earlier this week led a protest rally in the federal capital against the publication of blasphemous cartoons by a French satirical magazine.

    Things had taken an ugly turn when participants of the protest-turned-sit-in had clashed with law enforcement.

    The law and order situation had been dealt with by the government after accepting the protesters’ demands.

  • Govt reduces COVID-19 testing amid spike in deaths

    Govt reduces COVID-19 testing amid spike in deaths

    As coronavirus cases continue to spike across Pakistan, the government has drastically reduced the number of tests, as it conducted around 29,000 tests on Nov 16 as compared to 39,000 tests on Nov 14.

    According to official data, the number of tests remained above 30,000 since Nov 4 (when positivity rate was about 4 per cent) and the maximum number of samples were taken on Nov 14 i.e. 39,410. But for the past couple of days, the government has slashed the testing by 10,000 even though the positivity rate now stands at 7 per cent.

    Graph of COVID-19 testing

    According to data issued by the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) on Tuesday, at least 33 people passed away due to coronavirus, while 2,050 new infections were reported across Pakistan. The positivity rate has also witnessed an increase — from 4 per cent at the start of this month to 7 per cent.

    On Saturday and Sunday, the country saw over 2,000 cases and 2,400 cases respectively, which means more than a 20 per cent increase in cases. These numbers are the highest since July. Seventeen people lost their lives to the coronavirus on Saturday. Pakistan reported over 2,000 cases on Monday as well.

    Meanwhile, SOPs violations across the country continue. The marriage halls, restaurants, and such other places have failed to implement the government directives to stem the growth of the virus.

  • COVID-19: PM bans political rallies across country

    As anti-government protests of the joint opposition’s Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) gain momentum, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has announced a ban on political rallies across the country on recommendation of the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC), journalist Asad Ali Toor has reported.

    According to the details, the ban was announced by the premier as he addressed the nation following a meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) on the COVID-19 pandemic, a second wave of which is currently taking toll on Pakistan.

    Earlier it was announced by the PM’s Office in Islamabad that the premier would address a press briefing after the meeting. 

    The meeting comes after the NCOC recommended urgent measures to the NCC to control the rapidly-increasing infections across the country, Geo reported.

    The NCOC recommended limiting all public gatherings to 500 people, including cultural, political, religious, entertainment, and civil gatherings.

    It also suggested allowing only outdoor dining till 10 pm, shutting down cinemas and theatres, and closing down shrines beside an early closure of markets and safe days.

    Meanwhile, the decision on early and extended winter vacations in schools was deferred till November 23, the Ministry of Federal Education/Professional Training said.