Covid testing results are taking too long, says health expert
The University of Hong Kong’s Ho Pak-leung on Friday urged health authorities to speed up their nucleic acid testing for Covid after the city’s care home staff are required to undergo weekly tests beginning this coming Wednesday. Speaking on a radio program, the head of Hong Kong University’s Centre for Infection said Hong Kong is experiencing a delay in the release of test results. “The test results may not be valid by then to achieve its original goal to stop the spread of the coronavirus,” said Ho. He suggested health authorities step up their efforts to release the testing results within six hours in order to plug loopholes in the testing requirements. However, he said authorities should consider replacing the nucleic acid testing with rapid testing as the city is now recording up to 30,000 confirmed cases a week.
Source:The Standard
July 22, 2022 03:28 UTC
Editorial Roundup: Pennsylvania
So, kudos to former Congress members Charlie Dent and Jim Greenwood, former Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Sandra Schultz Newman, former Lt. Gov. Pennsylvania, however, hasn’t treated prisoner health care as a constitutional or human right. Physicians for Criminal Justice Reform has also called for the Department of Corrections to end medical co-pays in Pennsylvania state prisons. But it’s a naïve and specious argument when applied to people who don’t have money, or must choose between health care and food, or health care and phone calls to family members and loved ones. Rather than fighting to get out of the lawsuit, the Supreme Court should use its broad powers over the court system to fight opioid addiction.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
July 21, 2022 19:21 UTC
Calabarzon had 6,362 dengue cases since January 1, says DOH
LUCENA CITY—The Calabarzon region had recorded 6,362 dengue cases since the start of the year, the Department of Health (DOH) reported Thursday, July 21. ADVERTISEMENTTwelve persons died from dengue in Laguna (5), Batangas (3), Rizal (2), and one each in Cavite and Quezon during the period. DOH-Calabarzon noted on July 13 that the dengue cases in the region increased by 40 percent compared to recorded cases during the same period last year. The Regional Surveillance and Epidemiology Unit said the dengue patients this year were from 2 to 60 years old. In January 2019, the DOH said no death had been confirmed to be directly attributed to Dengvaxia, the world’s first commercially available vaccine against dengue fever.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
July 21, 2022 18:13 UTC
Ogie Alcasid licenses songs to Viva Music
PLUS: British singer-songwriter Anne-Marie is coming over! Entertainment icon Vic del Rosario, chairman and chief executive officer of Viva Communications, announced that singer-songwriter and multi-media star Ogie Alcasid has signed an exclusive contract with Viva Music Publishing, Inc. (VMPI), the music publishing arm of the Viva Music Group. British pop artist Anne-Marie. "I want to say thank you so much for always listening to me and supporting me. I love you guys so much, and hopefully, I'll be there with you soon as I miss you," Anne-Marie said in an interview with Music Geek.
Source:Manila Times
July 21, 2022 16:27 UTC
Google unveils virtual gallery of BTS' favorite artworks
ARMYs don't need permission to get to know their favorite septet BTS more and more, as the superstars share another side--- their favorite art pieces in "BTS x Street Galleries." A collaboration with Google Arts & Culture, the virtual gallery also takes fans on a Street View tour of cities and buildings worldwide that hold special memories for the band and may be viewed at g.co/BTSstreetgalleries. Through BTS x Street Galleries, ARMY can explore 14 iconic locations, including the United Nations in New York City to the Chunggu Building in Seoul, where BTS' stories began. This experience was made possible in collaboration with cultural institutions from around the world and with the Google Street View technology. This features highlights from the month-long Shorts challenge that had ARMY members sharing some of their favorite BTS memories through the years.
Source:Manila Times
July 21, 2022 16:27 UTC
HKMU graduates showcase their creative talents
Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) is presenting its annual Creative Arts Graduation Show at its Jockey Club Campus, from 15 to 24 July, bringing graduates from creative arts degree programmes to showcase their creative ideas and talents, using state-of-the-art technologies and reflecting their concern for social issues. TO BE’, the Show exhibits about 140 works created by over 250 graduates spanning the five programmes of the Creative Arts Department of the School of Arts and Social Sciences: Creative Advertising and Media Design; Creative Writing and Film Arts; Animation and Visual Effects; Imaging Design and Digital Art; and Computing and Interactive Entertainment. Highlights include an animation created by students in the Animation and Visual Effects programme, titled The White Hair Boy, which tells the obstacles Albinism patients confront. A documentary titled Nobody, produced by a Creative Writing and Film Arts student, features an animal rescue organization where their operations are charged with blood, sweat and tears. Kenneth FOK Kai-kong, who shared his optimism for the creative industry, “The future of the creative industry is promising, as our city is a cultural hub and many talents skilled in different creative art forms are being nurtured.” HKMU offers possibilities through quality creative arts teaching and extra-curricular activities.
Source:The Standard
July 21, 2022 12:01 UTC
Six buildings in Mei Foo Sun Chuen among 63 locations named on compulsory testing notice
Six buildings in Mei Foo Sun Chuen were named on the compulsory testing notice on July 20 after their sewage samples tested positive for Covid-19. Hiu Tin House, Hiu Lai Court, Sau Mau Ping20. Richmond Tower, Sha Tin Plaza, Sha Tin35. Yuet Tai House, Tin Yuet Estate, Tin Shui Wai43. Hong Chung House, Mei Chung Court, Tai Wai47.
Source:The Standard
July 21, 2022 06:59 UTC
Ex-premier is new Sri Lanka president
Now that the election is over, we have to end this division, the new president said. The premier became acting president after Rajapaksa fled the country last week and resigned by email. As the new president, Wickremesinghe now has the discretion to appoint a new prime minister. Presidents in Sri Lanka are normally elected by the public. The responsibility falls on parliament only if the Office of the President becomes vacant before a term officially ends.
Source:Manila Times
July 21, 2022 04:29 UTC
Asean online sale set for August
THE Department of Trade and Industry is calling on Philippine micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to take part in the largest online sale event in Southeast Asia, the Asean Online Sale Day, as various e-commerce platforms and businesses across the region are expected part in it from August 8 to 10, 2022. The Asean Online Sale Day is a yearly event aimed at promoting cross-border e-commerce among Asean countries, improve consumer trust in e-commerce, provide continuous sales opportunities for the participating businesses, strengthen partnerships between stakeholders and businesses, and raise awareness on the Asean identity and solidarity. The Asean Online Sale Day will be participated by all the of the bloc's member states, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. For more information about joining this year's Asean Online Sale Day, visit https://www.dti.gov.ph/aseansale/. Deadline of application for Philippine-based business, MSMEs or marketplaces selling goods or services online is until July 20, 2022.
Source:Manila Times
July 20, 2022 22:19 UTC
Saying our tag questions right
Some grammarians prefer to call it a "question tag," and the whole statement inclusive of that mini-question the "tag question." Native English speakers purposively use tag questions to get a quick confirmation or reaction from their listeners. With this in mind, we should be able to form English tag questions ourselves with greater confidence. Of course, since tag questions are meant to be spoken, it's normal to use contractions of the negative forms of verbs either in the tag question or in the main statement itself. Next week, we'll round up these discussions with other special cases and even finer aspects of tag questions.
Source:Manila Times
July 20, 2022 22:08 UTC
Putin says West must remove restrictions on Russian grain exports
Tehran, Iran — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday said that the West must remove restrictions on exports of Russian grain. “We will facilitate the export of Ukrainian grain, but we are proceeding from the fact that all restrictions related to air deliveries for the export of Russian grain will be lifted,” Putin told reporters in Tehran after talks with the presidents of Iran and Turkey. ADVERTISEMENTRussia’s military intervention in Ukraine has hampered shipments from one of the world’s biggest exporters of wheat and other grain, sparking fears of global food shortages. “As you know, Americans have lifted – essentially lifted – restrictions on the supply of Russian fertilizers to the world markets,” Putin said. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy PolicyRead Next
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
July 20, 2022 09:05 UTC
One dead, one injured after motorcycle sandwiched by two vehicles
A motorcycle was crushed between two vehicles on Wednesday morning, resulting in one death and one injury. At about 11am, a vehicle collision occurred on Kwun Tong Road towards Kwun Tong near Ting Fu Street, involving a truck, a motorcycle, and a van-type light goods vehicle. The motorcycle was sandwiched between the two larger vehicles before being pushed under the truck. It is believed that the truck behind him failed to stop in time and hit the motorcycle. Due to the traffic accident, part of the lanes of Kwun Tong Road (Yau Tong bound) near Ting Fu Street is closed to all traffic.
Source:The Standard
July 20, 2022 06:20 UTC
A prudent reevaluation
Over the weekend, President Marcos directed the Department of Transportation (DoTr) to look into renegotiating three aborted loan agreements with China for key rail projects. The DoTr had gone so far as to award contracts for the PNR project to a consortium of China Railway Group Ltd., China Railway No. 3 Engineering Group Co. Ltd., and China Railway Engineering Consulting Group Co. Ltd., but the start of the project remains stalled. President Marcos' choice, which is essentially to go back to square one and negotiate new funding arrangements, was likewise appropriate. In terms of rail development, in fact, China might be at a disadvantage.
Source:Manila Times
July 20, 2022 04:14 UTC
Micronesia loses COVID-free status after outbreak confirmed
Majuro, Marshall Islands — The tiny Pacific state of Micronesia has lost its status as one of the few COVID-free countries after confirming community cases on two islands. ADVERTISEMENTThat was until two students tested positive after arriving on the island of Kosrae from Pohnpei, the Micronesian capital island, earlier this week. Local health officials then confirmed 10 more positive results among 11 family members of the two initial cases. The spread of the coronavirus across Micronesia means the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu are believed to be the last two Pacific nations that are currently free from COVID-19. ADVERTISEMENTRELATED STORYPacific’s Micronesia records first COVID-19 caseSubscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
July 20, 2022 03:36 UTC
1.5M vaccines expire in July
The expiring vaccines were acquired by the private sector through the tripartite agreement A Dose of Hope. "The private sector has already proven that it is willing to get vaccinated. "Yes we have to focus on the first boosters, but the private sector bought these vaccines. The Go Negosyo founder has been asking that second boosters be allowed to protect members of the workforce who are still not permitted to take second boosters. "Resolving issues with policy on second boosters and take-up will help the private sector in its future vaccine procurement," he added.
Source:Manila Times
July 19, 2022 22:10 UTC