Covid hospitalisations remain low despite rising cases, 'encouraging' data show
One of the Government's most prominent scientists today hailed encouraging data showing that coronavirus hospitalisations across England remain low, despite cases rising across the nation. It comes as MailOnline analysis of official statistics showed Covid cases are only clearly rising in three of England's Indian variant hotspots. WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON WITH CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAKS IN THE EIGHT INDIAN VARIANT HOTSPOTS? Its case rate per 100,000 people rose slightly on May 21 to 193.9, compared to 186.4 the day before. KirkleesKirklees is the third Indian variant hotspot to see a noticeable increase in Covid cases.
Source:The Nation
May 27, 2021 15:00 UTC
Daily coronavirus case count climbs to 2,572
May 27, 2021 08:08 pmThe Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry reports that another 790 persons have tested positive for COVID-19 in Sri Lanka, moving the daily total of new cases to 2,572. This brings the total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus reported in the country to 174,849. As many as 143,789 recoveries and 1,298 deaths have been confirmed in Sri Lanka since the outbreak of the pandemic. The Epidemiology Unit’s data showed that 29,762 active cases are currently under medical care.
Source:The Nation
May 27, 2021 14:37 UTC
Sri Lanka reports 1,782 new cases of COVID-19
May 27, 2021 07:06 pmThe Ministry of Health reports that another 1,782 persons have tested positive for coronavirus today (May 27). All new cases are associated with the New Year Covid-19 cluster. This brings the total number of COVID-19 cases confirmed in the country thus far to 174,059. Presently 28,972 infected patients are being treated at hospitals and treatment centers across the island. Meanwhile, the number of total recoveries has reached 143,789.
Source:The Nation
May 27, 2021 13:41 UTC
Mayor disrupts vaccination process in Moratuwa
Video evidence has been released of the Mayor of Moratuwa deliberately disrupting the proceedings at a vaccination centre by insisting that the health officials should only vaccinate those in possession of tokens for vaccination. A health officer in charge insisted that all those who have arrived at the vaccination centre will be vaccinated as the vaccine stocks provided are higher than the amount of people who have received tokens. However, the Mayor insisted that only those who have received tokens should be vaccinated even if vaccine stocks will be left over. The Mayor was also seen to be verbally abusive towards the health officials, claiming that they are overriding the protocol of the vaccination process. Meanwhile, a dispute ensued at the scene as several people in line to receive vaccinations complained that they had been standing in line since 4 am and had not received the vaccine yet due to the Mayor’s interference.
Source:The Nation
May 27, 2021 13:03 UTC
Several services gazetted as essential services
A Gazette Extraordinary has been issued by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declaring several services as essential services. Accordingly, the following services are declared as essential services hereon:All services, works or labour of any description carried out or required to be carried out by or in connection with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority established by the Section 3 of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority Act, No. Freight transport by Sri Lanka Railway Department and all public transport services carried out by the Sri Lanka Transport Board for passenger transport. Maintenance, security and operational aspects that are essential to carry out such public services in line with service requirements. Waste management services carried out by the Local Authorities.
Source:The Nation
May 27, 2021 13:03 UTC
Coronavirus recoveries count up by 1,411
May 27, 2021 06:11 pmThe Ministry of Health reports that 1,411 more patients who were being treated for COVID-19 have recovered and have been discharged from hospital within the last 24 hours. This increases the total number of coronavirus recoveries in the country to 143,789. Sri Lanka has so far reported 172,177 positive cases of COVID-19 while presently a total of 27,190 infected patients are being treated at hospitals and treatment centers. The death toll due to the virus has risen to 1,298.
Source:The Nation
May 27, 2021 12:56 UTC
Multiple services declared as Essential Services via Extraordinary Gazette
COLOMBO (News 1st); Multiple services were declared as essential services through an Extraordinary Gazette on Thursday (27). These services include the Sri Lanka Port Authority, Petroleum, Railway & Public Transportation including the Sri Lanka Transport Board, All-District Secretaries, All Divisional Secretaries, All Grama Niladhari Officers, All Samurdhi Development Officers, All-District & Divisional Level Field Officers including Agriculture Research Assistants, All-State Banks & Insurance services, Central Bank of Sri Lanka and waste management by local government bodies.
Source:The Nation
May 27, 2021 12:56 UTC
Good Morning Britain: Should homework be banned?
It comes after new research by the Times Education Commission, found that 70 per cent of teachers think there's too much homework and only 20 per cent believe homework is essential for learning. I actually think it helps to create critical thinking as a matter of fact, which is a very good thing. If teachers are bored by it, they better cultivate their interests and become good setters of good homework. 'I think the first thing to say is there's far too much homework and it should be reduced,' he explained. Professor Robert Winston went on to argue that he believes A levels actually 'prevent' critical thinking - before branding that a 'very different argument altogether.'
Source:The Nation
May 27, 2021 12:45 UTC
Impact on SL from Hurricane Yaas prevails: Met Dept
“Although Hurricane Yaas has moved beyond the Bay of Bengal, its impact on Sri Lanka is not over,” they said. Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department states that showers will continue in several districts of the island today as well. A strong wind that blew across the Galwadiya area in Julanpitiya, Walasmulla this morning (27) had damaged several houses. Meanwhile, a large tree fell on a bus stand in the Narawala area on the Galle-Mapalamaga road due to a strong wind accompanied by heavy rains. The Met Department predicts showers in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North Western provinces as well as in the Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts today.
Source:The Nation
May 27, 2021 12:22 UTC
Real Madrid confirm Zinedine Zidane has quit as the club's manager
Real Madrid have confirmed that Zinedine Zidane has resigned as the club's manager, leaving the post for the second time in his managerial career. While there has been no comment as of yet from Zidane or Real president Florentino Perez, a club statement said 'Real Madrid is and will always be' Zidane's home. A club statement read: 'Real Madrid CF announces that Zinedine Zidane has decided to end his current stage as coach of our club. 'He knows that he is at the heart of Real Madrid and that Real Madrid is and will always be his home.' Sergio Ramos was among the Real Madrid players to post a farewell message to Zidane on social media.
Source:The Nation
May 27, 2021 11:48 UTC
OnePlus 8T discounted to $569
The OnePlus 8T unveiled last October was sold at $749 in the US with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage onboard. That variant is now discounted by $180, bringing down the price to $569. The OnePlus 8T is built around a 6.55" FullHD+ 120Hz Fluid AMOLED display having a punch hole in the upper-left corner for the 16MP selfie camera and a fingerprint reader underneath for password-less unlocking of the phone. Under the hood, the OnePlus 8T has the Snapdragon 865 SoC, and fueling the entire package is a 4,500 mAh battery with 65W charging. You can read our OnePlus 8T detailed written review to learn more about it, or watch the video review below.
Source:The Nation
May 27, 2021 09:56 UTC
Do not create unnecessary fear about national security: Defence Secretary
Defense Secretary General (Retd.) In a statement, the Defense Secretary said that the public should not worry about security. The statement added that the Ministry of Defense, the Armed Forces and other law enforcement agencies have established national security. He said it was normal for the United States to mention terrorist threats in Level 4 travel restrictions issued on Sri Lanka. Therefore, the Secretary of Defense informed all Sri Lankans that it is not appropriate to create unnecessary fears about national security.
Source:The Nation
May 27, 2021 09:00 UTC
Importance of Managing Cybersecurity Risk for any business
Cybersecurity risk has never been greater as everything is interconnected in a larger digital environment. Zero-day vulnerabilities by their very nature are difficult to protect against that is why patching critical flaws is very important. What has been on the rise, and what isI predicted to get worse, are the more targeted ransomware attacks that cost businesses more from an operational and regulatory perspective. Malware and ransomware attacks in general are a completely different game now because these attacks are being targeted and specifically crafted to certain internal systems. Q: Do you see ransomware attacks targeting any particular vertical?
Source:The Nation
May 27, 2021 09:00 UTC
June 21 hangs 'in the balance', warns Professor Neil Ferguson
He told ITV: 'You know, the Indian variant is taking off in a number of places — not everywhere, but a number of places. Under-21s may be more likely to catch the Indian Covid variant, Professor Lockdown warns Under-21s may be more likely to catch the Indian Covid variant, one of the Government's top scientific advisers warned today. But Professor Ferguson provided no figures to back up his claim and stressed there was no suggestion it causes more severe illness in youngsters. But Professor Ferguson added: 'If it goes beyond those levels, then we need to reconsider the rate of reopening and maybe slow the next step. But Professor Ferguson provided no figures to back up his claim and stressed there was no suggestion it causes more severe illness in youngsters.
Source:The Nation
May 27, 2021 08:03 UTC
Are we just five years from climate tipping point?
A dangerous rise in global temperatures above the 1.5C (2.7F) limit set by the UN could happen in just five years, warn scientists. Global average temperatures of 1.5C (2.7F) above 19th century levels are seen as a threshold beyond which the most dangerous impacts of climate change will be felt. 'This study shows that we are getting measurably and inexorably closer to the lower target of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change,' he said. Dr Stephen Cornelius, chief climate adviser at WWF, said limiting global warming to 1.5C (2.7F) is of 'critical importance' to prevent the worst climate change impacts. The year 2021, and the crucial climate change negotiations, COP26, in November, have been widely described as a “make-or-break” chance to prevent climate change spiralling ever more out of control.
Source:The Nation
May 27, 2021 08:03 UTC