Doctors working in already short-staffed hospitals are struggling with a flare-up of new cases in the country's last rebel stronghold.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: First barrel bombs, now coronavirus: doctors in Syria's Idlib hit hard by outbreak
Egyptian COVID-19 patients complain of pressure, deception on clinical trials
Many family members of coronavirus patients in Egypt report being forced or tricked into allowing their loved ones to participate in clinical trials.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Egyptian COVID-19 patients complain of pressure, deception on clinical trials
Coronavirus compounds Syrian crisis in Idlib
Amid lack of international aid and a fragile health system, officials and activists are concerned about the rapid spread of the coronavirus in northwest Syria.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Coronavirus compounds Syrian crisis in Idlib
Egyptian ‘Doctor of the Poor’ Dr. Mashali dies after lifetime giving free treatment
An Egyptian doctor known for a lifetime of treating his patients free of charge has died, according to reports on social media which paid tribute to his generosity.Dr. Mohamed Mashali was a well-known doctor based in the northern Egyptian city of Tanta, where he was awarded with the title “Doctor of the Poor” by officials for serving his community for over 50 years.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Dr. Mashali only charged 5-10 Egyptian pounds ($0.30-0.60) per visit and frequently treated people at his three medical clinics without charging any payment, according to the Egyptian news outlet Cairo360.He worked 12-hour days, even while he was in his late 70s, and served 30-50 patients a day, according to an interview with DW. Dr. Mashali was also known to provide vaccines free of charge to people who could not afford them.Dr. Mashali told Egyptian outlet Hadret El Mowaten that he had been motivated to serve his community by an incident in which a diabetic patient died after his mother said she could only afford their dinner, let alone the insulin.“When he asked his mother for insulin, she told him that she could not afford to buy it, and the only money that she had would cover their dinner,” he said.In an interview with DW, Dr. Mashali described himself as a specialist in endemic illnesses and fevers.“It is poor people that are most affected by these, groups that cannot afford expensive treatments,” he told DW.The Arabic hashtag #Doctor_of_the_Poor was trending in the UAE on Tuesday, as social media users shared images and videos of Dr. Mashali and paid tribute to him.“There are doctors that you see on the street, that do not even recognize you or don’t say hello. But not this doctor, he greets you on the street and would even give you medical advice if needed,” one of Dr. Mashali’s patients told DW.Read more:Coronavirus: Five Saudi Arabian health heroes who fought against COVID-19Coronavirus: Saudi Arabian doctor who treated 513 COVID-19 patients tests positiveTreating coronavirus in US is ‘humanitarian’ duty, says Saudi Arabian doctor
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Egyptian ‘Doctor of the Poor’ Dr. Mashali dies after lifetime giving free treatment
Coronavirus: COVID-19 pandemic not seasonal and is ‘one big wave,’ WHO says
The World Health Organization on Tuesday warned against complacency about new coronavirus transmission in the northern hemisphere summer, saying that this virus did not behave like influenza that tended to follow seasonal trends.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.“People are still thinking about seasons. What we all need to get our heads around is this is a new virus and... this one is behaving differently,” Margaret Harris told a virtual briefing in Geneva, urging vigilance in applying measures to slow transmission that is spreading via mass gatherings.She also warned against thinking in terms of virus waves, saying: “It's going to be one big wave. It's going to go up and down a bit. The best thing is to flatten it and turn it into just something lapping at your feet.”Read more:Germany advises against travel to Spain regions amid COVID-19 outrbreakAll the COVID-19 guidelines for the Eid al-Adha holiday across the GulfIMF approves $4.3 bln to help South Africa fight coronavirus
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: COVID-19 pandemic not seasonal and is ‘one big wave,’ WHO says
Coronavirus: UAE finds 369 new COVID-19 cases after conducting over 43,000 tests
The United Arab Emirates reported 369 new COVID-19 cases after conducting over 43,000 tests, authorities announced on Tuesday.A further 395 people recovered from the disease, bringing the total recoveries to 52,905.The total number of cases is 59,546, with a death toll of 347.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Infections linked to gatherings in UAEThe UAE has reported several recent clusters of infections linked to social gatherings or events.On Monday, 47 of the cases reported that day came from just five families. According to a government spokesperson, all 47 people had failed to practice social distancing when attending a wedding and a funeral.The ministry has been recording a significant amount of cases of people from the same family, who had infected each other during gatherings and celebrations, added Dr. Omar al-Hammadi, the official spokesman for the UAE Government.Last week, a further 20 infections were linked to a wedding in Abu Dhabi.Despite these clusters, the UAE has managed to keep its infection rate relatively low, allowing Dubai to reopen international travel to select destinations.Read more:Coronavirus: All the COVID-19 guidelines for the Eid al-Adha holiday across the GulfCoronavirus: COVID-19 PCR test needed to travel to UAE, here’s all you need to know Coronavirus: 5 families in UAE infected with COVID-19 after going to wedding, funeral
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE finds 369 new COVID-19 cases after conducting over 43,000 tests
Israel, Hezbollah playing war game, but avoid real conflagration
Attempting to avoid further escalation with Hezbollah, the Israel Defense Forces are careful to showcase lots of fire and brimstone, but no casualties on either side.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Israel, Hezbollah playing war game, but avoid real conflagration
Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia confirms 1,993 new COVID-19 cases, lowest since June
Saudi Arabia confirmed 1,993 new coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours, the health ministry announced on Tuesday, marking the Kingdom’s lowest daily increase since June.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.The country’s highest daily toll reached 4,301 which was reported on June 19, according to the numbers released by the health ministry.The city of al-Hafouf saw the highest number of new cases with 194 confirmed. Taif had the second highest with 186 and Riyadh recorded 106 new coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours.Meanwhile, an additional 2,613 individuals who had previously tested positive for the virus have recovered raising the total number of recoveries to 222,936.The death toll also increased by 27 to a total of 2,760 fatalities.With Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday approaching, authorities announced a set of rules to prevent the further spread of the virus. Eid al-Adha prayers in Saudi Arabia will only be performed in mosques and not out in the open.Gatherings are limited to no more than 50 people and the health ministry warned against Eid gatherings in general.Meanwhile, with no date yet announced for the resumption of international flights, the Kingdom extended the validity of expired visas of all expats who are outside Saudi Arabia for a period of three months free of charge, according to the Directorate General of Passports authority.Read more: All the COVID-19 guidelines for the Eid al-Adha holiday across the GulfSaudi Arabia extends validity of expired expat visas for 3 monthsUAE finds 369 new COVID-19 cases after conducting over 43,000 tests
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia confirms 1,993 new COVID-19 cases, lowest since June
Saudi Arabia introduces luxury cruises on Red Sea coast for first time
Luxury cruises will set sail for the first time on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast as part of the Saudi Tourism Authority’s “Break Free” summer season campaign, according to a statement released on Tuesday.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The initiative is part of the Kingdom’s efforts “to provide exceptional leisure tourism services on the Red Sea, providing a wider array of options and raising awareness of the many natural and cultural treasures that lie along the Saudi Red Sea coast,” the STA said in a statement.The cruise lines have not been announced but they will reportedly offer travelers various itineraries in addition to a range of on-board activities, dining and entertainment.The “Break Free” campaign, which runs through September 30, offers a diverse range of experiences throughout the Kingdom, according to the STA.“The campaign covers ten destinations around Saudi Arabia with a particular emphasis on the Red Sea coast.”The STA and the Ministry of Health have developed strict protocols, along with tour operators, amid the coronavirus outbreak to prevent the further spread of the virus and to “safeguard the health of passengers and provide a pleasant and safe tourism experience.”Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus sectionThe Kingdom announced in June it was preparing to launch a summer vacation campaign that gave citizens and residents the opportunity to explore the country through different staycation spots.Read more:Saudi Arabia prepares summer holiday campaign with COVID-19 measuresSaudi Arabia to resume domestic flights starting May 31Saudi Arabia’s Al Ula to reopen including ancient site Al Hijr
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia introduces luxury cruises on Red Sea coast for first time
Emirates to require negative COVID-19 test for transit passengers
The United Arab Emirates already required people entering the country to test negative for the coronavirus, but now the rule has been extended to all connecting travel on the Emirates airline.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Emirates to require negative COVID-19 test for transit passengers