VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Medics transport a patient from an ambulance to the Royal London Hospital as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in London, Britain, January 1, 2021. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

British health officials have reactivated emergency hospitals that were built at the start of the pandemic to handle a surge in COVID-19 cases that is putting existing wards under extreme pressure, particularly in London. The United Kingdom has recorded more than 50,000 new daily cases of the virus for the past four days, driven in part by a new variant that is much more infectious, and a rise in the number of people who are dying each day. 

Medics have warned they are struggling to cope, especially when so many colleagues are off sick or having to self isolate, and paramedics and nurses have had to treat patients in ambulances because of a shortage of available beds. An email to staff from the Royal London Hospital said it was now in "disaster medicine mode".

A spokeswoman for the National Health Service (NHS) said the Nightingale hospital in London was being prepared to reopen if needed.

"In anticipation of pressures rising from the spread of the new variant infection, the NHS London Region were asked to ensure the Nightingale was reactivated and ready to admit patients should it be needed," she said. "That process is under way."

The hospital, based in the Excel Exhibition Centre in London's Docklands and named after Victorian nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale, will be staffed by London medics with additional support from the military and partners in the voluntary sector if needed, the spokeswoman said.

The Nightingale hospitals are temporary sites built with the help of the military in a matter of days in March and April when hospitals first struggled to cope with the influx of COVID-19 patients//CNA

China's State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi - EWN

China's relationship with the United States has reached a "new crossroads" and could get back on the right track following a period of "unprecedented difficulty", senior diplomat Wang Yi said in official comments published on Saturday (Jan 2). Relations between the world's two biggest economies have come under increasing strain amid a series of disputes over trade, human rights and the origins of COVID-19. In its latest move, the United States blacklisted dozens of Chinese companies it said had ties to the military. Wang, China's state councilor and foreign minister, said in a joint interview with Xinhua news agency and other state media outlets that recent US policies towards China had harmed the interests of both countries and brought huge dangers to the world. 

But there was now an opportunity for the two sides to "open a new window of hope" and begin a new round of dialogue, he said. Wang urged the United States to "respect the social system and development path" chosen by China, adding that if Washington "learns lessons", the conflicts between the two sides could be resolved.

"We know some people in the United States are apprehensive about China's rapid development, but the most sustainable leadership is to constantly move forward yourself, rather than block the development of other countries," he said.

Politicians in the United States have accused China of covering up the outbreak of COVID-19 during its early stages, delaying its response and allowing the disease to spread much further and faster. But Wang said China had done its utmost to combat the virus's spread, "sounding the alarm" for the rest of the world.

"We raced against time, and were the earliest to report the epidemic to the world," he said. "More and more studies show that the epidemic very probably emerged in many places throughout the world."//CNA

Australia's New South Wales tightens restrictions as COVID-19 cluster expands - Menafn.com

Australia's most populous state of New South Wales on Saturday (Jan 2) made masks compulsory and imposed new restrictions as its coronavirus cluster expanded by seven, while neighbouring Victoria recorded 10 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian banned dancing and singing at night clubs while restricting numbers at gym classes, weddings, funerals and places of worship. However, the five-day Cricket test match between Australia and India, scheduled to begin on Thursday, will go ahead with attendance at 50 per cent capacity. 

"We consider health and safety first and foremost, but we also need to think about well-being and jobs and the economy," Berejiklian told reporters in Sydney.

"And that's why by putting these measures and settings in place we are confident we can continue to increase and encourage economic activity, give confidence to business and jobs, but also, of course, keep the virus at bay." 

NSW, which has close to 200 active COVID-19 cases, will levy a A$200 (US$154) fine for not wearing a mask with the rule being enforced from Monday. Authorities on Saturday said genomic sequencing showed the Victoria outbreak was directly linked to the NSW cluster, vindicating the decision to shut borders.

"As a result of the learnings that we have gone through, we’ve taken the view that the responses we have put in place are proportionate and fair. Victorians have a lot at stake here," Victorian health minister Martin Foley said. 

South Australia state recorded another day of zero cases while Tasmania, which is COVID free, banned visitors from parts of Victoria. Queenslanders were urged to reassess travel plans to NSW and Victoria//CNA

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan (ANTARA)

Governor of Jakarta Anies Baswedan called on residents of the Indonesian capital city to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic as a challenge in 2021.

"We passed through 2020 with a full history of struggle. We are facing a cross-age challenge. However, this is also the year in which our endurance, stamina, and focus were put to the test," he noted in the video uploaded by the Jakarta provincial government on Friday.

"This is an opportunity (for us) to demonstrate to the next generation that we are able to face this pandemic challenge, and Insya Allah (God willing), we will be able to emerge successfully out of it," he remarked.

The governor is optimistic that in the new year, Jakarta’s residents would be able to keep up the stamina and remain disciplined in following health protocols as the pandemic will still continue in 2021.

"We will still have to face this challenge. Let us keep up our stamina and follow health protocols. We should demonstrate that with a new spirit in 2021, we are able to face and pass through the pandemic challenge," he stated.

Baswedan is also upbeat that in 2021, Jakarta’s residents would be able to keep up with the rapid changes, including those pertaining to lifestyle to maintain cleanliness and bring about post-pandemic economic recovery.

"The year 2021 is an opportunity for us all to make accelerated change, including how to change our lifestyle for better health, our daily activities, and our economic activities by adjusting to the pandemic challenge," he stated//ANT