Health Alerts

IN THE Mar 6 WHO global COVID-19 epi update, the agency reported a 6-week run of increasing new case numbers, with the SE Asian and Western Pacific regions recording the greatest rises last week.  India (with 11 ‘states of grave concern’), Bangladesh and the Philippines have all reported a sharp surge in new cases as, according to the Apr 6 JH newsletter, ‘India surpassed both Brazil and the US to become #1 globally in terms of total daily incidence’. Turkey, another hotspot, registered a 43 percent hike, taking fourth ranking over the week. Read more. In Thailand, varying control measures have been put in place to manage infection surges ahead of the Songkran holiday next week. The toughest restrictions have been placed on entertainment venues in the Bangkok districts of Klong Toey, Watthana and Bang Khae - ordered to close until Apr 19. Read More

In other COVID-19 news -

-Starting from Ramadan, Saudi Arabia will grant permits for the Umrah pilgrimage to three categories of travellers who have the appropriate documentation/vaccinations. ABC News reports that it’s still uncertain whether, or under what conditions, the Hajj pilgrimage will proceed this year. Read more

- The IATA Travel Pass, which documents the results of COVID-19 tests and any vaccinations received, will be an accepted check for entry into Singapore from next month. Read more

-Carnivac-Cov is a veterinary COVID-19 vaccine developed in Russia and tested on dogs, cats, Arctic foxes, minks, foxes and other animals. Production of the vaccine is expected to commence this month. Read more

-Last week the US CDC announced an update to the conditional sailing orders for cruise companies, providing technical instructions which focus on ‘requiring cruise lines to establish agreements at ports where they intend to operate, implement routine testing of crew, and develop plans incorporating vaccination strategies to reduce the risk of introduction and spread of COVID-19 by crew and passengers’.