Forty-four people were killed in Lag B’Omer festival; Israel crush
Around 44 people have been killed in a crush at a crowded religious festival called Lag B’Omer festival at the foot of Mount Meron in the northeast of Israel. “What is the Lag B’Omer festival? Tens of thousands of Orthodox Jews make a pilgrimage to Meron each year for Lag B’Omer, a religious holiday marked with all-night bonfires, prayer and dancing. The town is the site of the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, a revered second-century sage, who ordained that the anniversary of his death be commemorated with a rejoicing of his life. According to the Times of Israel, organisers estimated that 100,000 people arrived on Thursday night, with more due on Friday. The attendance at the event was higher than it was last year, when the festival was held under restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic. But it was still smaller than in previous years when hundreds of thousands of people gathered at the site.” BBC Police sources stated that it started after some peoples slipped on steps, which caused dozens more to fall and injured.
Peoples who were vaccinated with the first dose also will be subject to Rapid Antigen Tests – General Shavendra Silva
Even those who have received the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccination will be subject to a Rapid Antigen Test by health officials who have been deployed at all the entry and exit points of the Western Province; Army Chief and Head of the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 (NOCPCO) General Shavendra Silva said. Even the public who are entering or exiting the Western Province may carry the vaccination cards, they will be subject to the tests as the vaccination did not assure anyone from not contracting the COVID-19; he added. Random Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) were conducted at 12 entry and exit points from and to the Western Province on individuals until further notice due to the rapid spread of the new variant of the COVID-19.
Western Province Hospital Beds Reached to its Full Capacity; one dies at home – Western Province Health Department
The bed capacity in all hospitals designated to treat COVID-19 patients in the Western Province has reached full capacity, Western Province Health Department Secretary Gamini Dharmasena said.(daily mirror) He noted this situation as an alarming situation but added there was nothing to hide.“We will have to find space at hospitals when only patients are discharged,” he added. He also said a person died to the virus on Wednesday (April 28) as there was no space at hospitals.
Sputnik V vaccines will arrive in Sri Lanka on May 4
Government authorities reported that Fifteen thousand doses of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccines will arrive in Sri Lanka on May 4 and authorities are planned to administrate those vaccines to the public in the Western Province immediately. However, officials earlier said 200,000 doses would arrive by the end of April and according to the reports Russia will send further doses only after these 15,000 are administered to the public. Sputnik V vaccines also require two doses per person, similar to the AstraZeneca vaccines.
Ready to eradicate corona, Sri Lankans should believe in Kali honey – Dhammika Bandara
If President and the Prime Minister give the permission, he is ready to extend his support to eradicate the corona pandemic in the country; Dhammika Bandara of Kegalle says while leaving a note on his social media account. He also said that the corona vaccine in India is currently failing India and that the Sri Lankans should have faith in the great Bhadrakali honey.
The quarantine period for the people coming from foreign countries will be changed; The Ministry of Health
There are plans to extend the quarantine period for people coming to Sri Lanka from abroad; Dr. SM Arnold, Deputy Director-General of Public Health Services at the Ministry of Public Health said. This would help to identify infected people from abroad before entering the country he further added. Dr. SM Arnold, further said that if people did not comply with the Covid control guidelines issued by the health department, travel restrictions would have to be imposed island-wide.
Police domains and several other Grama Niladhari domains Lockdown
Government decided to lockdown several other Police divisions with Grama Niladhari divisions. The police divisions including Matale, Dambulla, Galewela, Naula police divisions and the Kurunegala and Pannala police divisions have been locked down from 6.00 am today (April 30);Army Commander General Shavendra Silva stated. Meanwhile, Kurunegala, Udubeddawa, Galamuna Grama Niladhari Divisions and Monaragala – Siyambalanduwa, Helamulla Grama Niladhari Divisions have also been isolated, he further added.
New COVID 19 cluster named as the “New Year Cluster”
According to the reports, Sri Lanka has identified 1491 new corona infections in the country yesterday With them, the number of infected people in the country rises to 106414. The Department of Government Information has announced the number of infected people reported yesterday found from “New Year Cluster”.
Spanish laughing guy dies; El Risitas
Spanish comedian Juan Joya Borja who is famous by his nickname El Risitas has died at age 65 on Wednesday in hospital; local media reports. The meaning of the EI Risitas is Giggles and Juan Joyas infectious laughter brought him global fame and hes well known as the “Spanish laughing guy” “The famous clip of him came from Spanish late-night show Ratones Coloraos, where he was interviewed by the host about his ill-fated experience working as a kitchen helper. In the clip, uploaded on the show’s YouTube in 2007, Borja told Quintero how he once left 20 paella dishes in the sea overnight to clean them, only to return the next morning to find the tide had swept all but one away. The story left him and the host slapping the desk in fits of uncontrollable laughter – with Borja’s signature wheezing and almost-toothless smile stealing the show. Years later, from about 2014, internet users began re-posting the clip with unrelated subtitles”BBC
It is ordered to stop random PCR tests in several districts and this will make the pandemic worse – The Association of Public Health Inspectors
The Association of Public Health Inspectors has informed for an immediate halt to random PCR tests in several districts; chairman Upul Rohana said. The aim is to minimize the incidence of infections and it was a very sad situation;he said. He added that more COVID 19 positive cases would be reported in the coming days in the country, and the decision to stop the randomized trials was aimed at reducing the high incidence. However he acknowledged that the decision could only exacerbate the pandemic and if there is a shortage of test kits, the public should be informed