Coronavirus, COVID-19, Kuwait
CORONAVIRUS DIARIES Week #42: PCR Tests are now required
“It’s amazing how a little tomorrow can make up for a whole lot of yesterday.”
-John Guare-
Today marks the 299th day of our COVID-19 Pandemic journey. Indeed that one of the key preventive measures against COVID-19 is the testing itself. Early detection of the virus in the body will help to halt the spread of the virus because of the immediate isolation of the person.
Having said that, the testing capacity of Kuwait is going better as each week passes by. The increased testing capacity can be mirrored as more individuals are getting tested. With increased testing capacity the health officials can achieve early detection of cases and apply stringent measures so that the virus will not be spread further.
Update of COVID-19 Cases in Kuwait as of January 04, 2021
The photo was taken from: Instagram: Kuwait MOH
The Ministry of Health of Kuwait reported 372 new COVID-19 cases with 240 new recoveries and one additional fatality. This brings to a total record of 151,751 confirmed cases, breaching its 150,000 mark. As of 04 January 2021, there are now 3,266 active COVID-19 cases with 51 serious cases of COVID-19 complications.
Compared to last week’s data, the total COVID-19 confirmed new cases significantly increased. However, it is noteworthy to see that there was an increase in the number of recoveries and a slight increase in total active cases. Unfortunately, we’ve lost one life against out to COVID-19.
Required PCR Test for Arrivals to Kuwait
Medical Worker collects swab sample
This photo was taken from: www.xinhuanet.com
On 04 January 2021, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) make known to the general public that travelers bound to return to the State of Kuwait must have negative PCR test results before entering the state. Also, another PCR test will be conducted by the medical workers present at Kuwait airport on all travelers arriving in Kuwait.
The United Kingdom, ban on entry to Kuwait
Kuwait Airways
This photo was taken from: Arab News
On 03 January 2021, the State of Kuwait’s DGCA issued a circular stating that all direct flights from the United Kingdom are banned. This is after the reported new variant from the United Kingdom as the origin.
The DGCA acted immediately and implemented precautionary measures to prevent the new U.K. variant from entering and exiting the State of Kuwait.
The DGCA instructed that all Direct Commercial Flights to and from the United Kingdom are temporarily suspended starting from Wednesday (06 January) at 4 PM, Kuwait standard time, until further notice.
Death Sentence against Filipina Maid killer
Vice Consul Bacay noted that the case is not yet over, as Kuwaiti legal counsel will file a petition in the Court of Appeals to either lessen or reverse the verdict, but Ambassador Lomondot promised that they will retain the claim for justice in Villavende’s death with a death penalty for her killer.
OFWs in Kuwait praised the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait for its unwavering assistance in ensuring their safety and legal rights.
Kuwaiti Deputy Foreign Minister Al-Jarallah told Philippine Presidential Adviser on OFW Concerns Secretary Abdullah Mama-o on 19 January 2020 that the Kuwaiti administration had shown its dedication to the case by allowing investigators from the Philippines to enter its inquiry of the crime.
Kuwait’s Overseas Filipinos Medical Front-liners received Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine dose
Medical Front-liners in Kuwait
This photo was taken from: Al Arabiya
Good news, mga Kabayan! Kuwait Cabinet decided to include Filipino medical front-liners in Kuwait to received free vaccination of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
Rogel Bien, a Filipino nurse based in Kuwait, was among the first to get vaccinated against COVID-19. “I decided to take this vaccine dahil naniniwala ako na this is the only solution to stop this pandemic. Sa una, medyo natatakot ako. Nawala din iyong takot ko dahil naniniwala ako na dumaan ito sa masusing imbestigasyon ng mga siyentipiko. Wala po tayong dapat ikatakot,” Nurse Bien stated.
Moreover, Dra. Cristina Cura was the first Filipina doctor based in Kuwait to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine dose. “As a front-liner, we see many patients every day. Hindi tayo nakakasigurado kung sino ang may COVID o wala. So I decided to be protected. Kaya I opted to have the vaccination,” Dra. Cura said.
Dra. Cura further added that she did not experience any serious side effects after the vaccination. “Meron lang pain sa injection site on the first day. Parang sinuntok. Pero on the next day, wala na. And then, the other side effects, hindi ko rin naramdaman ‘yong sinasabi nilang muscle pains, headache. Wala akong naramdaman,” she added.
Even the vaccination for Filipino front-liners in Kuwait started, still, many Overseas Filipino Workers are undecided to get vaccinated or not.
Nurse Bien and Dra. Cura getting vaccinated
This photo was taken from: ABS-CBN News
Overall, Kuwait has a total tally of 151,751 confirmed COVID-19 cases, while the Philippines have 478,761 cases. As of 28 September, 4 PM, the Department of Health announced additional 959 newly-reported cases, 81.7% of which are mild COVID-19 cases. This brings to a total of 21, 219 active COVID-19 cases.
Coronavirus Vaccine Development
Vaccine Doses
This photo was taken from: UNICEF
As the world race for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines, we must recognize that there are countries that are left behind. Countries who able to secure supplies of the vaccine are lucky.
India, where some vaccines are manufactured in their country, approved their locally-made vaccine for emergency use. Likewise, the Indian government also issued emergency use authorization for the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
Aside from India, the country of Israel began its vaccine distribution for its population. In an unusually effective vaccine program, Israel has administered the first two doses to more than 10% of its population.
However, in the United States, they are now experiencing vaccine turmoil as the government mismanaged the rollout of vaccines for their citizens. Because of this mismanagement, million doses of vaccines may expire before individuals can be vaccinated.
Officials from the federal, state, and local governments all condemned each other for the failed logistics and funding deficiencies.
Mayor Bill de Blasio
This photo was taken from: CNBC
Around 110,000 people in New York City have given a vaccine shot, which is around a quarter of the total population. Mayor Bill de Blasio has called for the state government to encourage elderly citizens and essential staff to obtain the vaccine, which has been confined to health care workers as well as those residing and working in care facilities.
The mismanagement of vaccines is very alarming. In addition to these alarms are the new variants of COVID-19 in the world.
More than 30 countries, including the United States, have reported cases of the variant, which seems to be around 10% and 60% more highly infectious than normal. The U.K. coronavirus variant maybe soon as the dominant variant of the virus.
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