CORONAVIRUS: KUWAIT OFW QUARANTINE DAY #73 – The Aspiration of a Vaccine

May 23, 2020

“An aspiration is a joy forever, a possession as solid as a landed estate.“

Robert Louis Stevenson

The peril of COVID-19 disease remains as the whole world race its search for a vaccine. With the help of technology, we are getting closer along the way.

In Kuwait, the Ministry of Health reported 900 new COVID-19 cases with ten additional deaths and 232 recoveries. It brings to a total tally of 20,464 cases, with 148 deaths and 5,474 recovered cases. Within the new cases, 264 are Indian residents, 164 are Kuwait citizens, and 150 are Egyptian residents and 137 in Bangladeshi residents. In the governorates, there are 319 cases in Farwaniya, 301 in Ahmadi, 144 in Hawally, 83 in Jahra, and 53 in Capital. Among the residential areas, Farwaniya is the highest with 100 cases. Currently, there are 14,569 active cases. Compared to yesterday’s report, the new number of cases decreased.  

Announcement for Cooperatives and Malls

The Federation of Cooperative Societies announced to the public about the closure of supermarkets during the first day of Eid Al-Fitr. On the next day, they will resume their services from 8:00 am until midnight. The catering branches will stop their operations during the first and second days of the blessed Eid. They will restart on the third day of the Eid at 8:00 am until 3:00 pm.

The United Real Estate Company handed out a circular for the “Marina World” project. It includes the “Marina Crescent” and “Marina Mall.” This decision from the concerned authorities is still pending for approval. It states the reopening of shopping centers in Kuwait when the comprehensive ban period ends.

The administrative procedures for the schedule of working hours in the “Marina Mall” are 10:00 am to 10:00 pm daily while it is from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm at the weekends. It also specifies that only four main entrances in the “Marina Mall” is open. The establishment has a capacity of up to 30% in receiving their visitors and shoppers during their first period. They will allocate only two hours as a maximum period of spending their time in the mall.

This precautionary procedure will limit only five people inside the shop, which has an area of 70 square meters. In addition to that, they will not allow 15-year-old individuals without any relatives with them. The sterilization of all parts of the complex, including escalators, is continuous around the clock. There is also sterilization points on the four main entrances.

The procedure indicated that all workers and employees in the complex must follow precautionary measures such as wearing of facemasks and gloves without any exemptions. It also affirmed that the customers should practice social distancing in vital areas during standing in a queue or walking in the halls. They must maintain a distance of one meter.

The authorities reported the closure of Mishref Cooperative society until May 24, 2020, because 35 out of 250 of their workers tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. It is sad to know that another cooperative society officially closed down due to the disease. On the brighter side, it can resume its operation after conducting proper sterilization and sanitation in the establishment.

Situation During Food Distribution

As the implementation of total lockdown remains, the authorities continue to conduct food distribution in the community. They distributed food in Hawally and Khaitan. During the distribution in Hawally, it is evident that they conducted it in an orderly manner. Physical distancing is observable as the citizens and residents line up for their share of food. However, the queue of people is very close. Some people are not even wearing masks during the distribution.

Efforts of the Ministry of Interior

During the curfew, the Ministry of Interior’s security forces worked day and night to secure the implemented measures against COVID-19. The video shows the security forces’ efforts as they continue to protect the community against COVID-19 disease.  

Today marks the 61st day of the curfew, 29th day of the Ramadan, and 13th day of the total lockdown. The country of Kuwait remains to report a high number of cases every single day. The results of their total lockdown are still not evident because the authorities implemented it 13 days ago. Maybe we can see better results in the coming days.

Hopes for COVID-19 Vaccine

In the Philippines, the Department of Health reported 180 new COVID-19 cases with six additional deaths and 85 recoveries. It brings to a total record of 13,777 cases, with 863 deaths and 3,177 recovered cases. Within the new cases, 114 of them came from the National Capital Region, and the other 66 cases came from the other provinces of the country. Compared to yesterday’s report, the new number of cases increased. It is a good thing that the number of cases in recent days has gone down below 200. With fingers crossed, I hope the new number of cases will bend down further.  

The chief implementer of the National Action Plan Carlito Galvez Jr. affirmed that the quarantine measures facilitated the country in succeeding in its fights against the COVID-19 disease. He said that since the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine for two months, he is pleased to announce that the country is so far successful in suppressing the pandemic.

The root of its sweet success in containing the contagion is the “Test, Trace and Treat” program and the PDITRA program, which means “Prevention, detection, isolation, treatment, reintegration and adopting the new normal. These strategic measures aim to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus and mitigate its negative effect on the country’s economy and security. According to the scientific data of March and April, the positive cases reached about 13 percent. However, the cases managed to go down to 8 percent within this month.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) gave its approval to the Philippines’ planned participation in the clinical trials against COVID-19 disease. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque affirmed that the IATF-EID signed their approval in their Resolution no. 39. The resolution stated that they would provide the collaborating organizations with the requirements of the World Health Organization for COVID-19 vaccine target profiles. The collaborating organizations include the Chinese Academy of Science-Guangzhou Institute of Biomedicine and Health, Adimmune Corporation, Academia Sinica, Beijing Institute, and Sinopharma-Wuhan Institute of Biological Products.

The completion of the clinical trials is one of the requirements needed for the vaccine registration process by the Food and Drugs Administration for issuance of the Certificate of Product Registration for its market release in the country.  The World Health Organization noted that six candidate vaccines are available against COVID-19. In their calculations, a COVID-19 vaccine will be available to the public in the next 18 months.

Today marks the 61st day of the curfew, 29th day of the Ramadan, and 13th Within the news today, the light towards the release of the vaccine is getting closer. I thank the scientists and researchers of the vaccine for their unceasing determination in conducting clinical trials for a vaccine. I hope good health for them for their profession is the only one who can study more about it. I have good faith that these people will hasten their research and create an effective vaccine against COVID-19.

“Anumang naisulat noon ay isinulat para sa ating ikatututo, upang sa pamamagitan ng pagtitiis at sa pagpapalakasan ng loob mula sa kasulatan, magkaroon tayo ng pag-asa.”

Roma 15:4

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A multi-award-winning blogger and advocate for OFWs and investment literacy; recipient of the Mass Media Advocacy Award, Philippine Expat Blog Award, and Most Outstanding Balikbayan Award. Her first book, The Global Filipino Bloggers OFW Edition, was launched at the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait. A certified Registered Financial Planner of the Philippines specializing in the Stock Market. A recognized author of the National Book Development Board of the Philippines. Co-founder of Teachers Specialist Organization in Kuwait (TSOK) and Filipino Bloggers in Kuwait (FBK). An international member of writing and poetry. Published more than 10 books.  Read more: About DiaryNiGracia