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Tag: Risks

  • MMA calls on Nadma to resolve shortage of face masks

    MMA calls on Nadma to resolve shortage of face masks

    MMA calls on Nadma to resolve shortage of face masks 1

    KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) is calling on the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and relevant ministries to resolve the shortage of face masks for healthcare workers.

    Its president Dr N. Ganabaskaran said some doctors had gone to the extent of recycling their masks while seeing patients and some had chosen to close their clinics because there are no face masks and hand sanitizers to protect themselves and their patients.

    “The issue of face mask shortage has been highlighted since the outbreak in early February 2020, it has made national news and every citizen is aware about this. Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) like face masks are a basic necessity when seeing patients who may carry this infectious disease.

    “It is a requirement to provide hand rubs and face mask when seeing patients under investigation and it is indeed frustrating and not to mention unsafe not to have these items,” he said in a statement today.

    He said healthcare workers in the private sector be it general practitioners, specialists, dental surgeons, nurses, pharmacists, radiographers, high-risk patients undergoing hemodialysis are all exposed to possible infection due to the inaction by the relevant ministries in addressing this issue.

    Dr Ganabaskaran added, the failure to address this issue will result in higher risks of infections among patients and healthcare workers at healthcare facilities where people should feel safe.

    “MMA wishes to reiterate that combating Covid-19 is a collective responsibility and not solely the responsibility of our health ministry,“ he said. — Bernama

    MMA calls on Nadma to resolve shortage of face masks
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    https://www.thesundaily.my/local/mma-calls-on-nadma-to-resolve-shortage-of-face-masks-NA2165906

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  • Six PDRM personnel positive for Covid-19: IGP

    Six PDRM personnel positive for Covid-19: IGP

    Six PDRM personnel positive for Covid-19: IGP 2

    KUALA LUMPUR: Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador (pix) today confirmed six police personnel have tested positive for Covid-19 while their 335 family members are waiting for test results.

    He said the cases highlighted the risks the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) personnel had to face in carrying out their duties while the country was facing Covid-19 outbreak.

    “To date, six of my men have tested positive for Covid-19 … (and) we continue to give the rest of them encouragement and motivation to carry out their jobs,” he said in an exclusive interview, aired on Astro Awani today.

    In another development, Abdul Hamid said as the Movement Control Order (MCO) enters its fourth day today, people are beginning to adhere to the directive by restricting their movement.

    He said police continued to advise those a few who were still doing outdoor activities.

    “We are not giving up as we are still at a stage where we want to create awareness and we use various tactics and technics for the purpose,” he said.

    Police had launched Op Covid-19 on March 18 by conducting hundreds of roadblocks among others to ensure people observe the MCO announced by the government to break the chain of Covid-19 infection. — Bernama

    Six PDRM personnel positive for Covid-19: IGP
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    https://www.thesundaily.my/local/six-pdrm-personnel-positive-for-covid-19-igp-DA2165757

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  • Why the health benefits of cycling to work outweigh the risk of injury

    Why the health benefits of cycling to work outweigh the risk of injury

    Cycling to work has been linked to a higher risk of injury among UK commuters, but the health benefits of getting on your bike still vastly outweigh the risks
    Why the health benefits of cycling to work outweigh the risk of injury
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    https://www.newscientist.com/article/2237214-why-the-health-benefits-of-cycling-to-work-outweigh-the-risk-of-injury/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home

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  • How soon will we have a coronavirus vaccine? The race against covid-19

    How soon will we have a coronavirus vaccine? The race against covid-19

    The hope is that we will have a coronavirus vaccine in 12-18 months, but for that to happen we may have to rely on untested techniques – and that comes with its own risks.
    How soon will we have a coronavirus vaccine? The race against covid-19
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    https://www.newscientist.com/article/2237742-how-soon-will-we-have-a-coronavirus-vaccine-the-race-against-covid-19/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home

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  • M’sians in Thailand rush home to beat movement control order deadline

    M’sians in Thailand rush home to beat movement control order deadline

    M’sians in Thailand rush home to beat movement control order deadline 3

    BANGKOK: Many Malaysians working or on holiday in Thailand scrambled to book the next flight to Malaysia after a two-week nationwide movement control order from March 18 was announced in the country due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

    Many Malaysians rushed to airports early morning to make sure they got back home by today to avoid being slapped with the 14 day self-quarantine under the order.

    An employee based in Pattaya, Low Ban Ching, travelled about 150km to Bangkok today just to catch the next flight back to Malaysia.

    “I read messages from friends and family members back home about the movement control order.

    “I realised I need to be back in Malaysia by today, if not, I have to undergo health checks and self-quarantine for 14 days.

    “Luckily, I managed to book a ticket from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur,” he told Bernama when met at the Suvarnabhumi Airport today.

    Meanwhile, a project-based employee who only wanted to be known as Kah Yee, said she decided to fly home as the movement control order created uncertainty for travellers.

    “I’m not sure whether there will be another extension after March 31. I made a quick decision to fly home today to beat the deadline,” she said.

    Yesterday, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had declared that Malaysia would be placed under nationwide movement control order from March 18-31 March due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

    Muhyiddin said it also involves a comprehensive restriction on all Malaysians travelling abroad with those returning from overseas required to undergo a health check and to self-quarantine for 14 days.

    The restriction also covers the entry of all foreign tourists and visitors into the country and also bars Malaysians from leaving the country.

    A businessman, who goes by the name of Thomas, 56, said he decided to bring forward his return ticket to get home before the deadline.

    “I want to be home before the order goes into effect … I prefer to go back to Malaysia,” he said.

    For Australian couple, Rosemary and David, who will transit in Kuala Lumpur before flying to Sydney said they decided to fly before March 18.

    “We read about Malaysia’s movement control orders. We are not sure whether it will affect our flight.

    “We do not want to take any risks so we are flying home early,” he said. – Bernama

    M’sians in Thailand rush home to beat movement control order deadline
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    https://www.thesundaily.my/local/m-sians-in-thailand-rush-home-to-beat-movement-control-order-deadline-DC2141261

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  • Why people delay software updates, despite the risks

    Why people delay software updates, despite the risks

    In May 2017, around a quarter of a million computers around the world running Microsoft Windows were attacked and infected with malware that would later be named “WannaCry.” Victims found their computers locked and unusable, but could free them if the victims transferred Bitcoin—typically an amount equivalent to $300-600 USD—to the people behind the attack.

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    https://techxplore.com/news/2020-03-people-software.html

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  • ICC-WHO Joint Statement: An unprecedented private sector call to action to tackle COVID-19

    ICC-WHO Joint Statement: An unprecedented private sector call to action to tackle COVID-19

    In a coordinated effort to combat the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have agreed to work closely to ensure the latest and most reliable information and tailored guidance reaches the global business community.

    The COVID-19 pandemic is a global health and societal emergency that requires effective immediate action by governments, individuals and businesses. All businesses have a key role to play in minimising the likelihood of transmission and impact on society. Early, bold and effective action will reduce short- term risks to employees and long-term costs to businesses and the  economy.

    To aid this collective effort, ICC will regularly send updated advice to its network of over 45 million businesses so that businesses everywhere can take informed and effective action to protect their workers, customers and local communities and contribute to the production and distribution of essential supplies.

    ICC will also contribute to enhancing information flows on the coronavirus outbreak by surveying its global private sector network to map the global business response. This will both encourage businesses to adopt appropriate precautionary approaches and generate new data and insights to support national and international government efforts.

    As an immediate priority, businesses should be developing or updating, readying or implementing business continuity plans. Business continuity plans should aim to reduce transmission, including by: promoting understanding of the disease, its symptoms and appropriate behavior among employees; setting up a reporting system for any cases and contacts; preparing essentials; limiting travel and physical connectivity; and planning for measures such as teleworking when necessary.

    Calls to Action

    • ICC strongly endorses WHO’s call on national governments everywhere to adopt a whole-of- government and whole-of-society approach in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Reducing the further spread of COVID-19 and mitigating its impact should be a top priority for Heads of State and Government. Political action should be coordinated with actors in the private sector and civil society to maximize reach of messaging and effectiveness.
    • Governments should commit to making available all necessary resources to combat COVID-19 with the minimum of delay and to ensure that cross-border medical and other essential goods supply chains are able to function effectively and efficiently
    • ICC and the WHO encourage national chambers of commerce to work closely with UN country teams, including WHO country offices where they exist, and to designate mutual focal points to coordinate this collaboration.
    • ICC encourages its members to support their country’s national response efforts and to contribute to the global response efforts coordinated by the WHO through www.covid19responsefund.org.

    As the pandemic evolves, ICC Secretary General John W.H Denton AO and WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus will continue to coordinate their efforts.

    Essential information on the COVID-19 pandemic can be found on the WHO’s dedicated site.

     

    ICC-WHO Joint Statement: An unprecedented private sector call to action to tackle COVID-19
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    https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/16-03-2020-icc-who-joint-statement-an-unprecedented-private-sector-call-to-action-to-tackle-covid-19

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  • Coronavirus: What we know so far about risks to pregnancy and babies

    Coronavirus: What we know so far about risks to pregnancy and babies

    Pregnant people don’t seem to be at greater risk of experiencing severe covid-19, and the virus doesn’t seem to pass to fetuses, but there’s still a lot we don’t know
    Coronavirus: What we know so far about risks to pregnancy and babies
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    https://www.newscientist.com/article/2237352-coronavirus-what-we-know-so-far-about-risks-to-pregnancy-and-babies/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home

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  • End in sight, but flare-ups likely in the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

    End in sight, but flare-ups likely in the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

    Remarks by Dr Ibrahima Socé Fall, World Health Organization Assistant Director-General, Emergency Response

     

    Good afternoon. 

    I hope that your busy week was interrupted, like mine, with a moment of joy on Tuesday.

    That moment was the celebration of a woman being discharged from an Ebola treatment centre in Beni. Her name is Masiko.

    She was the last person in the Democratic Republic of the Congo confirmed to have Ebola.

    Health workers and other responders sacrificed a lot to get to this point. 

    Since the outbreak was declared in August 2018 there have been 420 attacks on health facilities in DRC, resulting in 11 deaths and 86 injuries among health care workers and patients.

    It’s been a huge amount of work. At the peak of the outbreak, more than 120 cases were being reported each week. 28 health zones were affected, with cases appearing 1200 kilometres apart. In response:

    • 11 labs have been set up to test around 3500 samples each week
    • 11 Ebola treatment centres were set up to care for people with Ebola
    • 300 000 people have been vaccinated
    • 250 000 contacts have been registered
    • 26 000 safe and dignified burials have been conducted
    • More than 3000 health facilities were identified for infection prevention and control support
    • More than 1000 metric tonnes of supplies have been delivered
    • An Ebola vaccine has been licensed, and two treatments found to be highly effective
    • Almost 160 000 million people have been screened for Ebola symptoms at borders or other points of control

    This work is continuing. The outbreak isn’t over. WHO recommends waiting two full incubation periods – that’s 42 days – after the last person tests negative a second time before declaring the end of the outbreak.

    We must stay in active response mode to get us over that finish line.

    We have to be prepared for other cases emerging. It’s is a very real risk.

    Remember that during the Ebola outbreak in West Africa flare-ups of new cases occurred after the end of the outbreak.

    There are four reasons why new cases may emerge during this 42-day period, or even after the end of the outbreak.

    • First, because of the complex security environment, Ebola transmission outside of groups under monitoring is possible.  
    • Second, Ebola virus can persist in used needles, syringes or vials for several weeks.
    • Third, Ebola virus can persist in the body fluids of survivors for many months, and can be transmitted well after recovery, or in rare cases can result in relapse – as we’ve already seen during this outbreak.
    • Finally, Ebola virus is present in an animal reservoir in the region, and there is always a risk of a new spillover to humans.

    This is why it’s critical to maintain surveillance and rapid response capacities.

    And that’s what we are doing. We’re still in full response mode.

    In addition to the activities I already mentioned, I have to underline how critical it is to continue supporting the Survivor Programme, which provides follow-up care for almost all of the 1169 survivors in 26 health areas in North Kivu and Ituri. The programme also helps reduce the risks of re-introduction events. 

    We need to continue this work until the end of the outbreak, to keep the capacity in place to rapidly respond to flare-ups, to keep supporting survivors after the outbreak, and to transition the capacities built in this response toward building a stronger health system. 

    But to be very frank, right now the world risks dropping the baton at the finish line. WHO faces an immediate US $20 million funding gap. If no new resources are received, we will run out of money before the end of the outbreak.

    We appreciate the generosity of donors who have supported the response since August 2018. Now we need to get over the finish line. WHO is calling on the international community to help us end this outbreak, and keep our promises to communities to build a stronger health system.

    If we are forced to scale back operations because of a lack of funds, and then a new case emerges, we might not have the people and resources on the ground that we need to shut down transmission quickly. Just a single case could re-ignite the epidemic.

    That would be a tragedy. An avoidable tragedy. 

    It is important that the global community doesn’t only focus efforts when there is an immediate threat, then walk away when the threat subsides.

    The health system has to be strong to stop much more than Ebola. It has to stop malaria, measles, cholera, and now COVID-19.

    There is a lot more work to do.

    Thank you.

     

    End in sight, but flare-ups likely in the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
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    https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/06-03-2020-end-in-sight-but-flare-ups-likely-in-the-ebola-outbreak-in-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo

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