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Coronavirus, COVID-19

CORONAVIRUS:KUWAIT OFW QUARANTINE DAY #37- Training Medical Personnel

April 17, 2020, Friday

“We all have times when life feels hard; when we’re frustrated and tired and just want to hide away. If that is you right now, don’t worry – every caterpillar has to rest to become a butterfly, and you’ll soon find your wings again. In the meantime, let your Angels wrap you in theirs. You are so loved.”

-Anna Taylor

CORONAVIRUS:KUWAIT OFW QUARANTINE DAY #37

The demographic pertaining to the population of medical personnel throughout the world is perhaps one of the most disproportionately affected individuals during this pandemic. Every day they risk their lives coming in contact with COVID-19 patients, conducting swab tests, and providing them the necessary life-saving treatment so that they can return their lives.

In Kuwait, the Ministry of Health reported 134 new COVID-19 cases, 33 recoveries, and 2 additional deaths, bringing the total to 1,658 cases, 258 recoveries, and 5 deaths. Of the new cases, 3 were travel-related (to the UK, Iran, and the US), while 126 had contact with confirmed cases, including residents from various nationalities such as Indian (63), Bangladeshi (14), Egyptian (20), and Filipino (3).

 One thousand, three hundred and ninety-five patients are currently receiving medical treatment, while 32 are in the intensive care unit with 16 cases being critical, another 16 are stable in the last 24 hours, and two more cases being transferred to the I.C.U. Compared to yesterday’s report, the new number of cases increased. 

Corona Virus
“Update of COVID-19 cases in Kuwait on April 17, 2020.”

Doctors Gearing up for Overseas Kuwaitis

Today marks the 37th day of quarantine and the 27th day of curfew in Kuwait. In preparation for the return of stranded Kuwaiti citizens, around 600 doctors are being trained to conduct COVID-19 swab tests. The Ministry of Health’s Public Health Department is leading workshops and lectures for medical teams who will be stationed at Kuwait International Airport starting April 19. Over 35,000 Kuwaitis are expected to return, and the government assures the public that medical teams are now well-prepared to handle the situation professionally.

As of this Friday, the Ministry of Health has transferred 8 COVID-19 cases of Asian nationalities who were confirmed to be carrying the virus to the Mishref field hospital on the exhibition grounds. The eight people were staying in the same apartment in the Sharq area, which led to its transmission.

COVID-19 Positive Patients Transferred to Mishref Field Hospital

Relief Drive by the Kuwait Red Crescent Society

Today, The Kuwait Red Crescent Society, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, participated in the program to hand out 1,500-food baskets to the disenfranchised laborers in the Al-Mahboula area which is currently under lockdown because of the coronavirus.

Distribution of Food Baskets by the Kuwait Red Crescent and Ministry of Interior

The Kuwait Red Crescent’s Head of Public Relations Khaled Al-Zhayed released a statement to the press that their operations of handing out food supplies to the residents of Mahboula and Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh have been ongoing ever since the lockdown began. Furthermore, he expressed that the Kuwait Red Crescent Society has always been steadfast in its conviction in providing humanitarian aid to those in need, particularly to the families in the Jahra and Taima areas who have been especially hit hard with the virus.

The Ministry of Interior has also released a statement announcing that until such time the quarantine is being implemented, activities conducted outdoors such as exercise is strictly prohibited within the boundaries of residential areas, farms, and chalets, especially during the curfew hours between 5 pm until 6 am.

The government authorities also reminded the public that anyone caught violating the quarantine protocols will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, which also indicated that the imposed curfew included territorial waters and faraway locations such as farms. Furthermore, the General Administration of the Coast Guard of the Border Security sector is currently following the application of the partial prohibition law in the regional waters of Kuwait. As such, it has monitored some citizens who have rented boats and carried out picnics in Kuwaiti waters, which is in clear violation of the quarantine protocols.

I encourage everyone to cooperate with the health and precautionary measures set by the authorities in order to help bring an end to this pandemic. As it stands, our frontline workers, which include medical staff and security personnel are doing their best in providing both the citizens and expatriates the goods and services they need in order to make it through this crisis. Even as the Government of Kuwait, along with its subsidiaries and constituents, are continually upgrading and increasing their capabilities in helping mitigate the repercussions of the quarantine, it up to us, the citizens, and expatriates who are greatly responsible for the success of their collective efforts.

Updates from the Philippine Embassy

In the Philippines, the Department of Health announced 218 new COVID-19 cases with twenty-five additional deaths and fifty-two recoveries. It brings to a total tally of 5,878 cases with 387 fatalities and 487 recovered incidents. Compared to yesterday’s report, the new number of cases increased.

Update of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines on April 17, 2020

As of April 17, the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait has released a new public advisory regarding the financial aid currently being offered by the Department of Labor and Employment concerning the criteria and guidelines for those who wish to avail of the $200 package by the government.

PUBLIC ADVISORY: Guidelines for the $200 Financial Assistance from DOLE

Those eligible for the $200 financial aid include OFWs who lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 lockdown, are under a “no work, no pay” setup, or tested positive for the virus and cannot work. It excludes those with reduced hours, receiving unemployment insurance, or already aided by OWWA. To apply, visit www.polo-kuwait.com and submit the application form along with a valid passport, proof of unemployment, verified work permit, and a case reference number for undocumented workers. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Approved applicants will receive the aid via money remittance within five working days.

 

With the health and financial measure and various social security nets legislated by both the Philippine and Kuwaiti Government, I believe that our disenfranchised Filipino Brothers in sisters back in Kuwait would finally be able to take the first step towards their repatriation and recovery. I believe these measures are of great assistance to the Filipino community abroad, and as such, I am entirely grateful to the Philippine Government and to the authorities of Kuwait.

Ang Panginoon naman ay magiging matayog na moog sa napipighati, matayog na moog sa mga panahon ng kabagabagan;At silang nangakakaalam ng iyong pangalan ay maglalagak ng kanilang tiwala sa iyo; sapagka’t ikaw, Panginoon, ay hindi mo pinabayaan sila na nagsisihanap sa iyo.

Mga Awit 9:9, 10

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My Trusted Page of References for COVID-19 Diaries

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CORONAVIRUS:KUWAIT OFW QUARANTINE DAY #35- Finding A Cure to the Virus

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Gracia Amor