Topic: COVID-19 Update

June 11, 2022, Saturday; 9.30-10.30am

• Malaysia Update: Life is almost back to normal. Now vaccination status is not required to be shown for entry into shopping malls etc. People are being advised to wear face mask, hand wash and maintain social distancing, but this advisory is not being followed strictly. Number of daily new infections is 1000 and 1-2 deaths occur daily. Covid status has to be put into the MySejahtera app, but this is voluntary so many might not be reporting, but situation is under control. The rising dengue cases are a concern. There are no restrictions for incoming travelers – no quarantine/pretesting required, but vaccination (at least two doses) status is mandatory. Economy is not doing so good. Petrol and cooking oil are subsidized by the government.

• India Update: Covid is simmering though the numbers are not so high. In the last 24 hours, 8329 cases were recorded, weekly positivity rate is 1.7% in last week, positivity rate is 2.4%, total active cases are 40,370, recovery rate is 98.6%. 194 Crore vaccine doses have been administered and total tests done are ~85 crore; 3 lakh 44k tests done in the last 24 hours. There are no restrictions at present. Schools are open. Masks are insisted upon in areas where cases are high. No restrictions in domestic/international travel, but international travelers are required to carry vaccination certificate (at least two doses). A cautious approach is adopted, though the situation is not yet a matter of concern.

• Bangladesh Update: The daily cases are less than 100; the positivity rate is just above 1%. 72% of total population has been vaccinated; 10 million booster doses have been given. One monkeypox case reported from rural area, but not confirmed.

• South Africa Update: The number of new cases in the last week have ranged between 1000 and 1500; yesterday there were 20 deaths. The recovery rate is 96.9%, there are 23,000+ active cases, total deaths are more than 100,000; in the last 7 days, 18k-20k daily tests have been done. Daily positivity rate varies from 7-7.6%. The number of hospital admissions in the last 24 hours is 2200; of these, 260 are in the ICU and 74 are on ventilator. Now children with respiratory symptoms are also being hospitalized, but no deaths in children. The fully vaccinated population is 31.8% i.e., around 18.9 million. Total dose given 6.4 million. Most people do not wear masks. According to experts, covid restrictions failed to prevent transmission and a publication from South Africa said that asymptomatic infection in pregnancy is also risky. No reported monkeypox case. Economy is on the road to recovery.

• Pakistan Update: Covid-19 is the new normal now. There were 73 new confirmed cases and zero deaths and 6 critical cases in the last 24 hours. The daily testing has reduced from 50k/day to 15k per day. Positivity rate is 0.54%.For travel into Pakistan from overseas, all travel and vaccination/medical information has to be uploaded in the Pass Track App. Total vaccination is 135 million; 123 million are fully vaccinated. Daily vaccination, including booster dose, is 100,000. A general alert has been issued from PMA regarding monkeypox for the general public.

• Singapore Update: The situation is quite normal. The second booster dose has been rolled out for 50-59 years yesterday. Daily cases range from 2-3k per day. Travelling is on. Novavax is now available. No ARTs for night clubs from 14^th June.

• Bhutan Update: No single case, reporting is weekly. Total positive cases so far are 60k. High risk population has received even the third booster. Vaccination coverage is very high. Restrictions are still in place. Travelers are required to undergo 5 day quarantine and be vaccinated with at least two doses.

• Taiwan Update: In the past two months, the country has overcome the peak and the situation is now under control. The wave has waned down from north Taiwan to south Taiwan. The medical response has been successful, but we are now starting to see case fatality.

Participants

Member National Medical Associations

Dr Yeh Woei Chong, Singapore, Chair of Council CMAAO

Dr Marthanda Pillai, India Member World Medical Council, Advisor CMAAO

Dr Wasiq Qazi, Pakistan, President-elect CMAAO

Dr Ravi Naidu, Malaysia, Past President CMAAO

Dr Akhtar Hussain, South Africa

Dr Maki, South Africa 

Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa, South Africa

Dr Md Jamaluddin Chowdhury, Bangladesh 

Dr Tashi Tenzin, Bhutan 

Dr Muh-Yong Yen, Taiwan

Invitees

Dr EC Ng

Dr Lim Chong Sing

Dr Patricia La’Brooy

Dr S Sharma, Editor IJCP Group

Moderator

Mr Saurabh Aggarwal