SINGAPORE - The hawker centre at Block 75 Toa Payoh Lorong 5 underwent deep cleaning on Thursday (July 15) morning after a stall assistant who allegedly visited a KTV lounge over the weekend tested positive for Covid-19. A crew of six people wearing personal protective equipment spent about an hour spraying disinfectant and wiping down the tables and chairs at the 36-stall hawker centre managed by NTUC Foodfare. Notices put up around the hawker centre said it would be closed until further notice, with deep cleaning and disinfection to be carried out on Thursday and Friday. Stallholders told The Straits Times that they were notified about the positive case at about 3pm on Wednesday. They were given three hours to pack up and were told to quarantine themselves at home for 14 days. Swab testers visited the homes of some of the stallholders on Thursday morning to test them for Covid-19. Mr Tan Boon Chuan, 50, secretary of the hawker centre's stallholder association, runs a dessert stall there with his wife. "It was very sudden and the whole hawker centre was a mess. Everyone was anxiously packing up," he told ST in Mandarin. He said he had to throw away all of the ingredients he had made for the day and will likely have to dispose of the rest he had to leave behind at his stall. "We are just waiting to be tested," Mr Tan said, adding that most of the hawkers, including himself, are fully vaccinated. Madam Ang Goon Lay, a 56-year-old drinks stall owner at the hawker centre, tested negative after taking a antigen rapid test, said her daughter, Ms Lim Jia Hui. The 27-year-old said her mother, who is fully vaccinated, received a call from the Health Ministry and thought it was a scam at first. Her mother was not worried about contracting Covid-19, but is concerned about the loss of income as the hawker centre is expected to be closed until July 25, Ms Lim added. Mr Tan said he is hopeful that the hawker centre can reopen earlier as the positive Covid-19 case was absent from work this week. He said the stall assistant who tested positive had allegedly visited a KTV lounge on Sunday. The man, who is said to be an assistant at Fang Yuan Satay, did not turn up on Monday and went to see a doctor after feeling ill on Tuesday, Mr Tan added. "It should not affect our hawker centre because he didn't come into contact with the people here," the stallholder said. Asked about the hawker centre's closure, Mr Tan added: "We are not the only hawker centre to have a case, so we are mentally prepared that this could happen. We are outside and interact with so many customers, it is inevitable."
SINGAPORE - When a hotel worker hired a new maid to care for her elderly parents, she did not think it would lead to a Covid-19 scare and quarantine for her family of 12. The Indonesian maid, who arrived here on April 15, was discharged from stay-home notice (SHN) only five days later, despite testing positive for her polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. The employer, who wanted to be known only as Ms Lee, 32, was worried if the maid's early discharge was safe, so she checked with the isolation facility where the helper was quarantined. She was told not to worry because the helper's serology test came back positive, indicating that it was a past infection. Her worst fears came true when the maid was retested and the results were positive - an issue that came to light last week when former DJ Jade Rasif said in a social media post that she had a similar experience. In Ms Lee's case, the helper arrived on April 21 at her home, where Ms Lee lives with her two elderly parents and her brother. Two weeks later on May 4, the helper tested positive in a mandatory swab test. An ambulance took her to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID). She was among several maids who had been released early from SHN, only to test positive again a few weeks later. Since Feb 5, maids and confinement nannies coming into Singapore have had to do compulsory serology tests in addition to PCR tests. Those who test positive for antibodies in their serology test are classified as recovered patients and can be released from SHN. However, some of these maids were called back for swab tests over the past month, according to several maid agencies The Straits Times spoke to. Some then tested positive and were put in isolation. On May 16, Ms Rasif said In Facebook and Instagram posts that her helper tested positive for Covid-19 after being released early from SHN. The Manpower Ministry (MOM) has since clarified that the helper was not infectious and was shedding dead viral fragments. Mr Steve Siva, director of maid agency Unistarr Employment, said the issue has raised concerns among employers and maids. He said: "We didn't expect domestic workers could still be potential Covid-19 cases as our understanding was that they were cleared. Employers also have suffered. Ms Lee's troubles began when her helper was first taken to NCID on May 4. "It was a shock, and it sent us all into confusion and panic because we didn't know what would happen, whether we needed to be quarantined. Nobody told us anything," she said. More on this topic Related Story MOM apologises to Jade Rasif for saying her account of maid's Covid-19 scare was 'inaccurate' Related Story What is a stay-home notice and how is it enforced? Her two sisters and their families of four had also come into contact with the helper when they visited for a family dinner. All of them decided to self-quarantine. The next day, Ms Lee received an e-mail that informed her that the helper was a suspected positive Covid-19 case, but she and her family could continue their daily activities. The helper then tested negative twice in a row. On May 8, after the maid was swabbed again, MOH called Ms Lee to inform her that all 12 of them had to be under quarantine. Ms Lee said: "We were speechless at this point. We thought it was safe to go about our daily lives, and had met so many people at work and school... We were also worried for the safety of our parents, who have chronic illnesses." Ms Lee and her family have finished their quarantine and cleared all their swab tests, but the maid's status remains unclear. She was discharged last Tuesday after completing 21 days of isolation, with a memo that said she was no longer infectious. However, Ms Lee said when she spoke to an MOH doctor on May 21, she was told it was still unclear if the maid had been reinfected. She said: "It's making us very jittery... She went through multiple swab and blood tests, and we just find it unbelievable that there isn't anything on her infection status." Another employer, Rachel (not her real name), 55, said the maid she employs was taken away on May 2 after testing positive for Covid-19 - not knowing whether her family was safe and when the maid could return. She earlier got a call from the authorities and was told the maid had tested positivebut that Rachel and her family were not under quarantine. Rachel, who did not want to be named to avoid causing alarm at the daycare facility her father visits, said: "I was so frightened and sceptical because it was just over the phone." Over the next three days, she worked from home and stopped sending her father to daycare. She also called the MOH hotline, but the officer could not provide any more details about the helper's status. More on this topic Related Story Maid agencies, prospective employers suffer fresh blow with new border entry curbs Related Story Some maids forced to work for free on days off amid phase 2 measures Rachel then received an e-mail from MOM on May 5 that informed her that the maid was a "positive suspect", and that Rachel could go about her daily activities. She was allowed home on May 9 after it was confirmed she was not infected. Rachel said the whole experience was frustrating because of the lack of information. "They took her away, and I was in the dark until they e-mailed me three days later, but in between, I couldn't do anything." MOM last Saturday (May 22) said it is conducting an internal review of its communications and service delivery processes to "better serve citizens and provide greater clarity on their concerns".
MADRID (REUTERS) - Title-chasing Real Madrid will be without midfielder Toni Kroos for their must-win match against Villarreal on the final day of the Liga season after the German tested positive for Covid-19. The club announced that Kroos returned a positive test on Monday (May 17), having missed Sunday's win at Athletic Club after coming into direct contact with someone who contracted the virus. "Real Madrid C. F. announces that our player, Toni Kroos, tested positive in the Covid-19 test he underwent today," read a club statement. "Kroos has been in isolation since Friday May 14 after having come into direct contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19." Real Madrid are second in the standings, two points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, ahead of their decisive final game at home to seventh-placed Villarreal on Saturday. Atleti travel to relegation-battling Real Valladolid at the same time, knowing a win would guarantee their first league crown since 2013-14. Kroos has been a key member of Zinedine Zidane's Real squad this term, scoring three goals in 42 games in all competitions. More on this topic Related Story Football: Cristiano Ronaldo tests positive for Covid-19 Related Story Football: Three more Covid-19 positives at Man City
SINGAPORE - Four cellmates of the 32-year-old inmate with Covid-19 have tested negative and will be tested again, said the Singapore Prison Service (SPS). They were immediately transferred to separate, isolated cells after the inmate tested positive for the virus, the SPS said in a statement on Sunday (May 16). Meanwhile, 1,050 inmates, staff and partners who had been to an area of Changi Prison Complex have been tested for Covid-19 after the 32-year-old was found to have the virus on Saturday. The SPS said on Sunday that it has completed mass polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of the inmates, staff and partners, who had been to Institution A5 between May 10 and May 12. Changi Prison Complex consists of two clusters - Cluster A and Cluster B - with each containing five institutions. No positive cases have been detected so far, but activities in Institution A5 have been suspended as a precautionary measure. These include family visits, counselling sessions, rehabilitation programmes involving vendors and volunteers, and non-critical hospital appointments. All affected areas have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, said the SPS. The SPS will test all inmates, staff and partners from Cluster A progressively over the next few days to identify and isolate any asymptomatic cases. About 5,000 inmates, staff and partners will be tested in total. The SPS said the infected inmate worked in the prison kitchen at Institution A5 in Cluster A of the Changi Prison Complex. He is a close contact of a Sats Food worker employed as a chef at Changi Prison Complex and tested positive for the virus on May 13. The inmate, who supports the day-to-day preparation of meals, was administered a PCR test on the same day that he was traced as the chef's potential close contact. His test result returned positive the next day and he was transferred to the quarantine centre at Selarang Park Complex, where he is being monitored by medical staff. He is currently well and asymptomatic, said the SPS. More on this topic Related Story 5,000 inmates, staff, vendors and volunteers to be tested for Covid-19 at Changi Prison Related Story Changi Airport and other Covid-19 clusters in S’pore: What we know so far All newly admitted inmates at SPS prisons are subjected to a 14-day cohort segregation and tested for Covid-19 upon admission. Since May 8, the period of cohort segregation has been increased to 21 days, given the rising number of community cases. The inmates, who are also tested on the 14th and 20th day of the cohort segregation, will be allowed to join the general inmate population after they test negative at the end of the period. The SPS will also cease face-to-face visits and televisits, and replace all inmates' visits with phone calls from May 17, until further notice. These visits do not take place on Sundays. Families who have already booked their visits will have them automatically converted to phone calls, and the SPS will contact them to set these up. Inmates can communicate with their families through e-letters. The SPS has also suspended rehabilitation programmes conducted by vendors and volunteers in all prison facilities. More on this topic Related Story Rapid tests to be used on top of PCR tests for quicker contact tracing Related Story S'pore on knife-edge, Covid-19 cases can go either way over next few weeks: Lawrence Wong "These are important, preventive steps taken by SPS, for the safety of our inmates and their families, as well as staff and partners, to complement existing measures that have been in place since the onset of Covid-19," it said. About 96 per cent of medically eligible SPS staff have been fully vaccinated. A vaccination exercise for medically eligible inmates is ongoing and about 35 per cent of the inmate population have received at least their first dose of vaccine. Related Stories: Related Story S'pore tightens Covid-19 measures: 10 questions on the new rules answered Related Story Malaysia's MCO 3.0: How a third Covid-19 lockdown has impacted daily life Related Story India hopes Covid-19 cases stabilising even as daily deaths stay near 4,000 Related Story Taiwan tightens curbs after record 180 local Covid-19 cases Related Story Hong Kong residents revolt against Covid-19 quarantine camp Related Story World could have prevented Covid-19 catastrophe: Expert panel Related Story 'Vaccine tourists' fly from abroad for Covid-19 injections on US beach Related Story Millions of unused Covid-19 vaccine shots piling up in Japan amid slow roll-out Related Story S'pore on knife-edge, Covid-19 cases can go either way over next few weeks: Lawrence Wong Related Story The world turns to China for Covid-19 vaccines after India, US stumble
MILAN (AFP) - Juventus forward Paulo Dybala on Thursday (April 1) apologised for breaking Covid-19 rules by attending a house party with teammates Weston McKennie and Arthur Melo. The Juventus trio were reported to have been fined by police who were called by neighbours to the lockdown get-together at US midfielder McKennie's Turin home. "I know that in such a difficult time for the world with Covid, it would have been better not to make a mistake, but I was wrong to stay out for dinner," Argentine forward Dybala wrote in a post on Instagram. "It wasn't a party, but I made a mistake anyway and I apologise." The three players, who all missed international call-ups with injuries, could also face club sanctions but no decision had yet been made on the matter, a club source said. The Italian champions have had new coronavirus positives this week after the return of their international players. Centre-back Leonardo Bonucci tested positive on Thursday after returning from Italy international duty. "Bonucci underwent a test for Covid-19 which came back positive," Juventus said in a statement. "The player has already been placed in home isolation." Turkey defender Merih Demiral also tested positive while with his national side and returned to Turin on a medical flight, the team said. The 23-year-old is isolating in the Juventus team's J-Hotel. Both players will miss Saturday's Turin derby against Torino. More on this topic Related Story Football: Juve defender Bonucci positive for Covid-19 after Italy return Related Story Coronavirus microsite: Get latest updates, videos and graphics Four members of Italy's staff contracted the virus during the team's World Cup qualifiers, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) had announced Wednesday after a 2-0 win in Lithuania. The Azzurri also played in Bulgaria on Sunday, three days after beating Northern Ireland in Parma, both also with a 2-0 scoreline. The entire Italy team had been tested in Sofia on Monday, with negative results, but on Tuesday a staff member complained of mild symptoms with a sore throat. The individual was isolated and returned to Italy where a test was positive, and three other officials tested positive in Vilnius. Meanwhile, Sassuolo said that their four Italy internationals Gian Marco Ferrari, Manuel Locatelli, Domenico Berardi and Francesco Caputo will not play against Roma "as a precaution" this weekend despite their negative tests. Sassuolo's Turkish defender Kaan Ayhan contracted the virus with his national side becoming the seventh player at the club infected this season. Other Italian internationals tested negative on their return home with Napoli confirming Lorenzo Insigne, Alex Meret and Giovanni Di Lorenzo had all been given the all-clear on Thursday. Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was also negative. Inter Milan's three Italy internationals Nicolo Barella, Stefano Sensi and Alessandro Bastoni trained individually on Thursday while awaiting their results. Bologna's Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski has also tested positive. Related Stories: Related Story Fully vaccinated Malaysians may soon be allowed to travel freely in the country Related Story Japan on brink of 4th Covid-19 wave less than 2 weeks after state of emergency lifted Related Story Zoning restrictions relaxed for performing arts venues from April 24 Related Story Updated trial data shows Pfizer vaccine 91% effective, protects against South African variant Related Story Pure Fitness at Ngee Ann City visited 10 times by Covid-19 cases while infectious Related Story Follow-up probe of Covid-19 origins expected: WHO Related Story 150,000 painted hearts, each for a life lost to Covid-19 in Britain Related Story 100 Taiwan tourists board flight to Palau as part of Asia's first Covid-19 travel bubble Related Story South Korea to issue blockchain-protected digital Covid-19 'vaccine passports'
MELBOURNE • Australian Open chief Craig Tiley insisted yesterday that the year's first Grand Slam would begin as scheduled on Feb 8, while admitting it was "not a great situation" for the growing number of players who have been confined to their hotel rooms. The tournament was thrown into disarray on Saturday when three people tested positive for Covid-19 on two of the 17 charter flights bringing players and their entourages to Melbourne and Adelaide. A fourth person on one of the same flights, from Los Angeles, tested positive yesterday. None was a player, although one was Sylvain Bruneau, coach of Canada's 2019 US Open winner Bianca Andreescu. The number of players in 14-day mandatory quarantine went from 47 to 72 yesterday after another passenger tested positive on a third flight from Doha. With those in quarantine ordered not to leave their rooms, it means 72 players - including the likes of Victoria Azarenka, Sloane Stephens, Kei Nishikori and Angelique Kerber - will not be allowed out to train for five hours a day as previously agreed in the build-up to the tournament, which has been delayed by three weeks. "We always knew there would be significant risk with this pandemic, you can never tell," Tiley told Channel Nine television. "But the Australian Open is going ahead and we will continue to do the best we possibly can to ensure those players have what is not a great situation, but one that is somewhat acceptable." Several players, including Sorana Cirstea and Belinda Bencic, complained about not being able to train, with some claiming that they were not told about a hard lockdown if one person tested positive. "If they would have told us this rule before I would not play Australia," tweeted Romania's Cirstea, and Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva agreed, saying "I would think twice before coming here." Tiley insisted they were made aware of the risks. Some players have already breached the strict lockdown rules by opening their doors. Victoria state Covid-19 quarantine commissioner Emma Cassar warned that they faced fines of up to A$20,000 (S$20,506). She cited one player "who opened his door to try and have a conversation with his training mate down the hallway", while another bought takeaway food for friends on the same floor "and opened his door to do so". AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
The Yonex Thailand Open kicked off yesterday in Bangkok with a schedule of 38 first-round matches, but even as players battled it out on court after a long Covid-enforced hiatus, their eyes were focused on one score instead. That was the number of shuttlers who tested positive for Covid-19 at the first tournament of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour's Asian leg this year. Midway through the opening day, four players had tested positive: former world No. 1 Saina Nehwal and her Indian teammate H.S. Prannoy, Germany's Jones Ralfy Jansen and Egypt's Adham Hatem Elgamal. Their matches, along with that of Nehwal's husband Parupalli Kashyap - who was quarantined in his hotel room - were initially declared walkovers, as the badminton bubble in Bangkok threatened to burst. But Nehwal, Prannoy and Jansen, who had all contracted Covid-19 late last year, were allowed back into the tournament after returning positive antibody blood tests. Elgamal was forced to withdraw as he tested positive but had no antibodies for the virus. Despite a partial lockdown in the Thai capital this month following a resurgence of the pandemic, the Yonex Thailand Open is the first of three consecutive tournaments played in strict bio-secure conditions and behind closed doors, culminating in the World Tour Finals from Jan 27. Over 200 players from 22 countries are competing in the Yonex Thailand Open, including Singaporean shuttlers Loh Kean Yew, Yeo Jia Min, Crystal Wong and Jin Yujia. Ahead of the tournament, Thailand badminton chief Patama Leeswadtrakul had given the assurance that it would be the "safest in the world". This was after the Chinese team had pulled out due to travel restrictions. Japan also followed suit by withdrawing its team after world No. 1 Kento Momota tested positive. According to the tournament protocol, players were required to undergo two Covid-19 tests each week during their 14-day quarantine in the lead-up to the competition. The Indian team have been categorised as high-risk by Thai health authorities and all players and staff are quarantining in their hotel rooms. India's world No. 14 Kidambi Srikanth described tests conducted at the event as "unacceptable" after he was left bleeding from his nose. "We take care of ourselves for the match, not to come and shed blood for THIS," he tweeted with an image of blood dripping down his face following a swab test. "I gave four tests after I have arrived and I can't say any of them have been pleasant. Unacceptable." Singaporean's top male player Loh, 23, admitted to The Straits Times about feeling unsettled by the developments, but said that he can only press on while taking the necessary precautions. "Anyone would definitely be concerned about the situation," said the world No. 38. "It has been the most unusual build-up routine in my career. We are required to stay in our hotel rooms at all times except for training at the court and fitness centre. We get tested once every few days and it is important for each of us do our part to stay safe." FEEL THE DRAUGHT I was slower at adjusting to the wind conditions... months of not competing dulled my senses quite a bit. NATIONAL SHUTTLER LOH KEAN YEW Yesterday, Loh narrowly lost to Indonesia's world No. 7 and Asian Games champion Jonatan Christie 13-21, 21-10, 21-16 after a gruelling 65-minute match. He did not show much ring rust initially as he reeled off seven straight points to take the first set, but he was undone by his unforced errors. He said: "I was slower at adjusting to the wind conditions... months of not competing dulled my senses quite a bit. Jonatan played a great game - he was much more consistent than I was. "It was a good match and I would rate myself seven out of 10. I still have a lot to work on, especially my mental aspect. At the highest level, it is all about the mental game." In the women's doubles, Wong and Jin also ran Thailand's Laksika Kanlaha and Atitaya Povanon close before losing 12-21, 21-15, 21-18. Singapore's top female shuttler Yeo Jia Min will face Thailand's world No. 5 Ratchanok Intanon in the first round today. • Additional reporting from Reuters
TOKYO • Record-breaking sumo champion Hakuho has tested positive for Covid-19 just days before the New Year tournament, the Japan Sumo Association (JSA) said yesterday. The JSA said Hakuho was tested after noticing a loss of smell, and that other members of the Miyagino stable who are thought to have come into contact with him would also be tested. The Mongolian-born 35-year-old, who has won a record 44 tournaments and holds sumo's highest rank of yokozuna, had been preparing for the 15-day New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, which starts on Sunday in Tokyo. A JSA spokesman said his participation was as yet undecided, but the competition would go ahead as scheduled. Hakuho's infection comes after 11 members of the Arashio stable tested positive last week following the infection of top-division wrestler Wakatakakage. Local media reported that the new cases included stable master Arashio, a hairdresser and eight lower-division wrestlers. A gyoji, or referee, from a different stable also tested positive on Monday after complaining of a fever and cough. While a 20-year-old Japanese sumo wrestler died in May after contracting the virus, Hakuho is the first wrestler from the sport's top ranks to test positive for the virus. He has been dealing with a knee injury and has not competed in a tournament since March, when he won the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka. He withdrew from three straight tournaments last year, and was given an official warning by the JSA along with fellow yokozuna Kakuryu in November for repeated absences. The warning is the sport's strongest rebuke, short of recommending retirement. Hakuho, whose real name is Munkhbat Davaajargal, came to Japan aged 15 to take up sumo and acquired citizenship in September 2019. Japan is currently battling a third wave of infections, with media reports indicating a state of emergency in the greater Tokyo area is set to be announced this week. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
TOKYO • Badminton world No. 1 Kento Momota tested positive for Covid-19 yesterday, prompting the withdrawal of the Japanese national team from the Jan 12-17 Thailand Open. National broadcaster NHK said he tested positive at Narita Airport ahead of the team's departure for Thailand. An official from the Japan Badminton Association confirmed that none of the other 22 Japanese players tested positive, but said the entire team would withdraw nonetheless. Its spokesman told Agence France-Presse: "Momota has tested positive for the coronavirus, and the association has decided not to send any players, including Momota, to Thailand." Momota had been looking forward to his international comeback in Bangkok after almost a year out following a car crash that left him with serious injuries. The 26-year-old won his first competition - the domestic All-Japan championships - late last month since being involved in an accident after winning the Malaysia Masters last January. The crash killed the driver of the van that was taking him to Kuala Lumpur International Airport and left Momota fearing for his career following a fractured eye socket. His injury coupled with the coronavirus pandemic meant last season was a write-off, so the left-hander, who won a record-breaking 11 titles in 2019, was keen to test himself against top international players in Bangkok. Momota had been drawn to face 33rd-ranked Thai Khosit Phetpardab in the first round and his pullout will be a big blow to Thailand Open organisers. While the rescheduled Super 1000 tournament - it did not take place last year because of the pandemic - will be held behind closed doors and in bio-secure "bubble" conditions, the absence of the world champion will likely hurt TV viewing figures. The Thailand Open is set to be the first Badminton World Federation World Tour event to be held in Asia since the Covid-19 shutdown in March. It is also one of three tournaments taking place in the country this month, following massive disruptions to last year's schedule. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
LOS ANGELES • Dr Leroy Sims, the medical director of the National Basketball Association (NBA), joined front-line healthcare workers in California in getting the Covid-19 Pfizer vaccine last week. He was among 148 respiratory therapists, registered nurses, and doctors to get the jab at the Mills-Peninsula Medical Centre in Burlingame, California. "For me, this has been a long-time coming," Sims, who practises emergency medicine at the hospital as well, said. "I've been dealing with the pandemic from Jan 4 in terms of informing the NBA and friends and family, and followed it really closely. "So to be at this point, there's no anxiety whatsoever. I'm really proud to be at this place." His vaccine came just days before the regular season tips off today. A handful of teams, including the Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies and Utah Jazz, are allowing a limited number of fans into their arenas for the first time since March. Fans of the other teams may have to wait. "Really it's going to be based on what the US looks like. The north-east looks different from the south-east looks different from the west," he added. "And what the case burden is, positivity rates. So until we get the green light from the Department of Public Health and in those areas where we're not allowed to have fans, we won't. But to the extent that we can do it and do it safely, we will." In the meantime, the league remains focused on keeping players safe, recommending that they continue to wear masks and keep physical distances and will also continue its deep testing protocols, Sims, who also managed the bio-secure bubble in Orlando, said. According to the league and the National Basketball Players Association, almost 9 per cent of players tested positive before training camps opened earlier this month. Back in late June, just over 5 per cent tested positive before they gathered in Florida, where teams finished out the season in the bubble. During the league's three-month stay at Disney World, not a single player or coach tested positive for Covid-19 after the virus derailed the season in March for four months. As the vaccine roll-out continues into the new year, Sims revealed that the NBA would be waiting for healthcare workers, the vulnerable, and any necessary essential workers to get vaccinated before its players and staff. "In everything that we do, we have an eye on social responsibility. So we're not jumping the line," he said. "When the opportunity comes for us to roll it out in a larger way to our players and to our staff, we'll do that. "But we're not going to do that before the necessary essential workers get vaccinated." REUTERS
BARCELONA (REUTERS) - Atletico Madrid and Uruguay forward Luis Suarez has tested positive for Covid-19, the Uruguay national team said in a statement on Monday (Nov 16). Uruguay's statement said top scorer Suarez and stand-in goalkeeper Rodrigo Munoz plus a staff member had tested positive. Other members of the squad had all tested negative ahead of Tuesday's World Cup qualifier at home to Brazil. The statement added that both players and the staff member were in good health and said the team had followed protocol and taken the appropriate measures following the results. Suarez, who scored a penalty in Uruguay's 3-0 win over Colombia on Friday, is now ruled out of the match with Brazil. He will almost certainly also miss his club's La Liga match against his former club Barcelona on Nov 21. The Uruguayan is Atletico's joint-top scorer this season alongside Joao Felix, grabbing five goals since switching from Barca on a free transfer in September. Suarez is the latest high-profile player to test positive for the virus during an international break, after Liverpool's Mohamed Salah was infected while on duty with Egypt. Last month, Cristiano Ronaldo tested positive while representing Portugal and was forced to miss several games for Juventus.
SINGAPORE - With so many different types of face masks now readily available in neighbourhood shops and heartland malls alike, the question becomes: How effective are they against Covid-19 and other respiratory infections? The Straits Times selected nine types of surgical and reusable masks and put them through two tests. Working with lab experts from local testing and inspection company Setsco Services, a particle filtration efficiency (PFE) test was conducted to measure how well the mask prevents tiny respiratory droplets - at 0.1 microns or one millionth of a metre - from escaping. A good mask should have a PFE rate of at least 95 per cent. A breathability test was also conducted to measure how comfortable it is to breathe through the masks. This writer tested the breathability of the six reusable masks, while the breathability of the three surgical masks was ascertained through a differential pressure test. In the latter, the masks were subjected to air pressure to determine their resistance. Generally, the lower the resistance, the better the breathability. A differential pressure reading of less than 40 Pascals per sq cm indicates that the mask is comfortable for the wearer. To determine whether face masks comply with standards set by ASTM, an international standards organisation, a total of five tests have to be conducted. They include tests for bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE), fluid resistance and flammability. The latest DET mask given out by Temasek, which is not among the nine masks tested, has a differential pressure reading equivalent to less than 40 pascals per sq cm, but does not have a PFE reading. Its BFE, however, is at more than 80 per cent. Out of the nine masks tested, the surgical masks did well at both tests, whereas the reusable masks reflected a trade-off between breathability and filtration efficiency, said experts. More on this topic Related Story Coronavirus: 10 reusable face masks tested for safety and comfort Related Story Fashion's newest accessory: ST puts stylish fabric face masks to the test The surgical masks had a PFE range of more than 98 per cent, while most reusable masks had a PFE range of 0 to 20 per cent, with the exception of sample four - the triple-layered mask in black - which had a PFE of 88.51 per cent. This means that most of the reusable masks were not very efficient at filtering 0.1 micron particles but they may filter particles that are larger in size. Noting the results, Dr Joel Lee, director of the School of Chemical and Life Sciences at Nanyang Polytechnic, said it was "not surprising" that reusable masks had a lower PFE compared with surgical masks. But he noted that sample four comprised three layers and had a high-performance filter that kept it dry from external moisture. It also had a first layer of breathable mesh, which enabled it to balance breathability with good PFE, he added. Home-made masks are next best thing to surgical masks: Expert | THE BIG STORY Dr Teo Tee Hui, council member at The Institution of Engineers, Singapore and a senior lecturer at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, also noted that the mask had such a high PFE because it was mainly made out of finely woven nylon. The other reusable masks that were tested used coarse cotton for both inner and outer layers. "Coarse cotton is good for breathability but it is porous. Respiratory droplets are not well-absorbed, explaining the low filtration efficiency," he said. Most reusable masks are double-layered, with either both layers made of cotton or just the inner layer made of cotton and the outer one from polyester, he added. Polyester is a good material to use on the outer layer of the mask, as it is water-resistant and can repel droplets from entering. But if the inner layer is made of coarse cotton, it could hamper the mask's overall filtration efficiency. "Ideally, the best reusable mask should have three layers, with a non-woven fabric as the middle layer to better absorb the water particles. That way, the inner and outer layers can be made of porous materials for better breathability, while not compromising on filtration efficiency, just like surgical masks," he said. More on this topic Related Story askST: How long should I use my reusable mask? Related Story askST: How effective is a reusable mask in fighting coronavirus and how do I take care of it? Dr Lee also suggested that masks be two layers or more and made out of a combination of materials such as chiffon weave or flannel for better filtration efficiency. Out of the six reusable masks tested by the writer, sample five, a single-layered mask, likely made out of polyester or polyurethane (a type of plastic material) or a blend of both materials, was the most comfortable, though its PFE was at 0 per cent. Dr Teo noted that polyurethane, frequently used in lingerie, is known for its stretchiness and comfort, but like polyester, it may not be as effective in trapping droplets. It could, however, still prevent droplets larger in size from being released into the environment, though it is recommended to choose a mask with better PFE. Both experts agreed that a good approach would be to wear surgical masks at high-risk and crowded places such as hospitals, and to use reusable masks for low-risk activities. Wearing a mask should also be done in conjunction with other measures such as safe distancing, to ensure one's safety and hygiene, they added. Correction note: An earlier version of the article said Dr Teo Tee Hui was a council member at The Institute of Engineers Singapore. This has been corrected. We are sorry for the error. 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TURIN (AFP) - Cristiano Ronaldo has tested positive again for coronavirus on the eve of Juventus's Champions League clash against his great rival Lionel Messi's Barcelona, according to media reports in Italy and Portugal. Portuguese TVI reported that Ronaldo "has once against tested positive for Covid-19" following a swab carried out by Juventus. The 35-year-old is now awaiting the result of a UEFA test which, if also positive, would rule him out of the Group G game in Turin. Ronaldo first tested positive for Covid-19 two weeks ago while playing with Portugal, and has been in self-isolation since returning to Italy. According to TV1, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has tested positive 18 times. Ronaldo needed to return a negative test, 24 hours before the game to be allowed to play, according to UEFA rules. Juventus only confirm if a player has recovered, with Sky Sport Italia and Gazzetta Dello Sport reporting that Ronaldo will miss the Barcelona game. "Ronaldo had a test like everyone else, this evening (Tuesday) we will have the definitive result," coach Andrea Pirlo told a press conference earlier Tuesday. "For now it's all on the high seas, when the final result comes everything will be clearer. "Depending on the result, we'll see what we do. It's not easy to play an entire game after 15 days of inactivity." Ronaldo, who has no symptoms, has missed three games including his side's 2-0 Champions League win at Dynamo Kiev last week. The clash would be the first between Ronaldo and Messi since the Portugal forward left Real Madrid for Juventus in 2018. "For 15 years, Messi and Ronaldo have done great things," said former Italy and Juventus midfielder Pirlo. "For the first time, I'll be taking on Messi as a coach, I'll treat him with the enormous respect that he deserves." Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman added: "We always want the best to be on the pitch, and Ronaldo is a great player. "I don't know if he will be in condition to play, that's not my problem. But if Ronaldo is there, it is one more reason for us to be ready." Koeman, like Pirlo, has taken over as coach this season, with the teams top of Group G after winning their opening fixtures. But the Dutch manager has been under pressure after a 3-1 defeat against Real Madrid at the weekend followed a 1-0 loss to Getafe, the first time in four years the Catalan giants have suffered consecutive defeats in the league. Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu also resigned on Tuesday along with his board of directors, following mounting pressure from fans and his public falling out with Messi. 'Not a decisive game' Ronaldo and Messi now look set to meet again in the reverse fixture at the Nou Camp on December 8. Messi, 33, has featured in four victorious campaigns for Barcelona, while Ronaldo has won the Champions League five times, four with Real Madrid and once with Manchester United. Messi has six Ballon d'Or titles with Ronaldo claiming five. However Ronaldo has 130 Champions League goals to Messi's 116. "It's clear that any team would miss a player like Cristiano," said Brazil defender Danilo at the pre-match press conference. "But we have faith in every player on the team. We have people who want to do well and help us have a great match." Messi has won 16 of their 35 encounters to Ronaldo's 10, with the remaining nine ending in draws. The pair have only met five times in Champions League games, most recently in the semi-final in 2011. Pirlo also has defensive worries with captain Giorgio Chiellini, and Matthijs De Ligt out but fellow centreback Leonardo Bonucci's thigh strain will be evaluated on Wednesday morning. "These are the matches that everyone would like to play. We have this opportunity and we can't wait to test ourselves against Barcelona," said Pirlo. "It's not a decisive game, but we still want to see what our value is." Argentina forward Paulo Dybala remains "a bit tired" after playing for 90 minutes in his first match in over three months last Sunday against Verona. "It's normal after the first game as a starter. He'll have time to recover and play tomorrow night."
LISBON (AFP) - Cristiano Ronaldo, who has tested positive for Covid-19, left the Portuguese team camp near Lisbon on Wednesday (Oct 14) to fly back to Northern Italy on his private jet, local media reported. The Juventus player's jet took off in the afternoon from the Tires airfield, in the outskirts of Lisbon, according to images broadcast by CMTV. The Portuguese Football Federation announced on Tuesday that Ronaldo tested positive for coronavirus on Monday, the day after Portugal drew 0-0 with France in Paris and would not be in the squad for Wednesday's Nations League match against Sweden in Lisbon. The 35-year-old five-time Ballon d'Or winner was "asymptomatic" and had been placed in isolation after the positive test at the national team's training centre in Oeiras, a suburb of Lisbon. Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini said on Tuesday that he had spoken to Ronaldo. "He's fine and was sunbathing, he'll be back when he's ready," Chiellini said Last week, before the trip to France, two other Portuguese players tested positive, Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes and Lille defender Jose Fonte. Ronaldo is the latest star footballer to test positive for coronavirus following Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Related Story Football: 'Sunbathing' Cristiano Ronaldo may miss Lionel Messi showdown Related Stories: Related Story 5 new Covid-19 cases in S'pore, including 2 in community Related Story 31-year-old man from India tests positive for Covid-19 after completing SHN Related Story Australia in travel talks with Singapore, Japan, South Korea as coronavirus cases ease Related Story Trump back in Oval Office, aims to return to campaign trail next week despite Covid-19 Related Story Former Thai PM Thaksin had coronavirus but recovered: Source Related Story Malaysian leaders draw flak after post-election coronavirus jump Related Story Interactive: How the world lost one million lives to Covid-19 Related Story Experts in Britain warn coronavirus is out of control Related Story Coronavirus super spreaders drove explosive outbreak in India Related Story South Korea's new Covid-19 cases in triple digits again as Chuseok holiday travels begin Related Story 'Lockdown Lite' is the new strategy for fighting Covid-19