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What do you think were the two biggest pandemic stories of the last week – and would continue to be in the weeks ahead? One is a worrying development that Singapore seems to have control over. Unfortunately, the second is a disaster that is growing by the day – and has consequences for us.
On April 30, the Health Ministry announced that the number of new community cases has increased to 35 cases in the past week, from 10 cases in the week before, with the first Covid-19 hospital cluster (in Tan Tock Seng Hospital) growing to 13 cases. After months of calm, with very few new cases reported, this sudden spike was worrying.
First flights carrying emergency Covid-19 assistance for India left US last night
From CNN s Kate Sullivan
The first flights carrying emergency supplies to assist India as it battles a new wave of Covid-19 cases left the US Wednesday night, White House deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday.
“The first of two assistance flights left the US for India at around 8 p.m. and midnight last night, which was April 28. The planes carried the first tranche of assistance, which includes oxygen cylinders, rapid diagnostic tests and N95 masks to protect frontline workers,” Jean-Pierre told reporters aboard Air Force One.
Jean-Pierre continued: “Additional flights carrying the remaining assistance, including oxygen generators and concentrators are scheduled to depart in the upcoming days.”
Indian government says it has more than 12 million Covid-19 vaccines, rebutting shortage reports
From CNN’s Swati Gupta in Delhi
People wait to receive a Covid-19 vaccine in Mumbai, India, on Thursday, April 29. Rajanish Kakade/AP
The Indian Health Ministry announced Thursday that more than 10 million Covid-19 vaccines – both AstraZeneca and Covaxin are currently in storage with states across India, and 2 million more will be distributed within the next three days.
In a rebuttal to statements on severe vaccine shortages in multiple cities and districts across India, the health ministry released data detailing the free vaccine supply to different states in the coming days.
France announces a 4-step process to lift lockdown
From CNN’s Arnaud Siad Lewis Joly/AP
France will see a progressive lifting of Covid-19 restrictions in four steps starting Monday until June 30, French President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview released today.
Here s a look at the steps:
Monday will mark the end of certificates required for movement, as well as the end of domestic travel restrictions.
Starting on
May 19 curfews will start at 9 p.m local time (as opposed to 7 p.m. currently) and shops, terraces and museums, cinemas and theaters will reopen with limited capacity.
On
June 9, curfews pushed further to 11 p.m local time. There will also be a return to offices, and cafes, restaurants and gyms can reopen. Subject to a “health pass,” sports and cultural events of up to 5,000 attendees will be allowed. Tourists will be allowed to return, also subject to a “health pass.”