Singapore reports 344 new covid cases including 172 Covi29 cases on 31 December 2021

 Research, editing : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

News on Singapore, disease control, CCP, Taiwan, U.S.

News (1)

Singapore reports 344 new covid cases including 172 Covi29 cases on 31 December 2021

Image : Researcher's Picture

On 31 December 2021, Singapore reports 344 new confirmed covid cases, of which 165 are local cases.

Among the 165 local cases, 34 cases are Omicron variant (Covi29) cases and the other 131 local cases are Delta variant (Covi72) cases. There are 7 cases from foreign workers' dormitories.

The number of inbound Covi29 cases is 124.

On the same day, the number of inbound covid cases has risen a new high, of which 172 cases are Covi29 cases. 158 Covi29 cases are VTL travelers.

The Ministry of Health on its covid situation report web-site states a decrease of 9 active cases to 2868 although a covid patient has died on 31 December, raising the fatality to 828 covid death cases.

The number of covid patients admitted to the general ward has decreased by 13 while the number of covid patients in ICU remains unchanged at 16. Besides, 17 covid patients have discharged while the number of people that has completed quarantine has increased by 335 to a total number of 259628 whereas there is an increase of 4 people undergoing quarantine.

As of 12 am of 1 January 2022, Singapore has a total number of 279405 confirmed covid cases.

Ref: https://www.8world.com/singapore/covid-19-moh-update-on-new-cases-1689046

News (2)

New Zealand's research on epidemic prevention and hotel cluster infection shows once the doors are opened a few seconds at the same time, the other person is infected

Editor : Zhou Zixin 

Image of a hotel corridor: Researcher's Picture

New Zealand Sealand research believes that the "break" in the mass infection incident in the epidemic prevention hotel should be that both parties open the door at the same time. 

 A few days ago, there have been many cases of infection in epidemic prevention hotel clusters in Taiwan but through what channels did the virus spread? The relevant departments are still clarifying. It is understood that a similar incident occurred in an epidemic prevention hotel in New Zealand in 2020. 

After a traveler from the Philippines was diagnosed with the disease, he was arranged to be isolated in a hotel. Unexpectedly, the covi variant infection was transmitted to three other guests living across the corridor. 

Local researchers believe that the virus may spread through the hotel corridors within a few seconds of the door being opened briefly. 

According to a report by CNN, in July 2021, a passenger who entered New Zealand from the Philippines tested positive and was arranged by the New Zealand Health Department to stay in an epidemic prevention hotel for isolation. At the same time, another group of five who entered from the UAE was also arranged to the same anti-epidemic hotel because one of them was infected. The two groups of passengers lived in two different rooms on the same floor, separated by a corridor, but everyone was prohibited from going out, and only medical staff could open the door during testing or delivering meals. 

Unexpectedly, during the quarantine period of 5 passengers entering from the UAE, another 3 people were found to be infected with the new crown virus. 

The report pointed out that the genetic sequencing of these three people showed that the source of infection was not the infected person in the same group but the same as the incoming Filipino tourists living on the opposite side. The researchers checked the monitor screen and found that the two rooms had a total of 4 simultaneous door opening records during the quarantine period. 

Although the door opening time was only a few seconds each time, the researchers believed that the virus was transmitted to other travelers through the hotel corridors. This is the most reasonable explanation. 

New Zealand researchers pointed out in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, “The only UAE traveller who has not been infected has received 2 doses of Pfizer vaccine in the past, and none of the others have received either dose of the covi vaccine. Therefore, we believe that this case proves the effectiveness of the vaccine and the way the virus spreads, which is extremely important for the global public health field to prevent the spread of the covi variant.”

 In fact, this epidemic prevention hotel cluster infection in New Zealand is not the only case. In early December 2021, there was also a case in Hong Kong where a confirmed Covi29- infected person passed the virus to the opposite tenant without actual contact, showing that there is a risk of infection in an epidemic prevention hotel even if the door is opened for a short period of time. In addition to re-challenging current epidemic prevention measures, it also confirmed the super transmission power of the covi variant in the air.

Ref: news.tvbs.com.tw/world/1679353

News (3) to (8) / Editor : Wen Hui / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2022/01/01/a103309057.html

News (3)

Xi Jinping's New Year's message does not mention Taiwan, five major aspects attract attention

Image : On 31 December 2021, Xi Jinping delivered a New Year's message, which aroused attention in five aspects. (Jade Gao/AFP via Getty Images)

On 31 December 2021, Xi Jinping issued a New Year's message. Five aspects have attracted attention. The outside world discovered that in the full text of the 1,475-character congratulatory message, Xi did not mention a word about Taiwan, but there are controversies and variables that embarrass the CCP.

News (4)

Xi declines to talk about the Taiwan issue

Xi Jinping delivered a 2022 New Year message through the Chinese Communist Party's official media that evening. Faced with the increasingly tense situation in the Taiwan Strait, he said, "To achieve the complete reunification of the motherland is the common aspiration of the compatriots on both sides of the strait." But Xi did not mention "Taiwan", let alone the United States.

In response, the Taiwan side responded quickly. The MAC stated that the Beijing authorities should give priority to improving the people’s livelihood, economy, and human rights and freedom in the face of the current global situation and the complex internal and external challenges to promote cross-strait interaction under democracy and dialogue.

In his New Year's speech later, President Tsai Ing-wen reminded the Beijing authorities not to misjudge the situation, and more importantly, to prevent the expansion of internal military aggressiveism.

Tsai Ing-wen emphasized that military is definitely not an option for resolving differences between the two sides of the strait. Military conflicts will impact economic stability. Each side will work hard to take care of the people’s lives and stabilize the hearts of the people. Only then will there be space and atmosphere for both sides of the strait to face problems and seek solutions together in a peaceful manner to alleviate the regional situation.

News (5)

Xi boasts "Achievements" in governing Hong Kong

Xi Jinping also talked about the "achievements" in governing Hong Kong. He said that the "motherland" has always been concerned about the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macau.

However, the outside world discovered that since the CCP introduced the "Hong Kong version of the National Security Law", the CCP and the Hong Kong government have continued to suppress Hong Kong's democracy and freedom of speech. Following the "Apple Daily", "Stance News" has also been forced to stop recently. The person in charge and a large number of democrats were arrested. International public opinion generally believes that Hong Kong's "one country, two systems" has long existed in name only.

News (6)

Xi boasts "Contribution" to the epidemic

With regard to the epidemic, Xi Jinping described as “resolutely effective prevention and control of the epidemic throughout the country”; he said that foreign leaders and heads of international organizations “have repeatedly praised China’s contribution to the fight against the epidemic and the prevention and control of the global epidemic”.

However, Xi Jinping did not mention that, in response to the covid outbreak in Wuhan and spread globally, the international community’s call for investigation of the origin of the virus has not stopped. Moreover, under the CCP’s “zero clearing” policy, epidemics continue to spread throughout China, one after another. After Wuhan was closed due to the epidemic, Xi'an has been locked down again in recent days.

The CCP authorities continued to suppress citizen journalists who disclosed the truth about the Wuhan epidemic. After Fang Bin was arrested, his whereabouts are still unknown; another citizen journalist, Zhang Zhan, was sentenced to four years in prison and is currently on the verge of death.

News (7)

Xi did not talk about the embarrassment for organizing the Beijing Winter Olympics

Xi Jinping also mentioned the Beijing Winter Olympics in his New Year's greetings. He said that in more than a month, the Beijing Winter Olympics and the Winter Paralympics will begin. "The world looks forward to China, and China is ready."

But Xi did not mention that the Beijing authorities are facing another embarrassment. Because of the abominable human rights issues created by the Chinese Communist Party in Xinjiang and Hong Kong, many Western countries and allies resorted to “diplomatic boycotts” and did not send officials to attend the Beijing Winter Olympics.

At the same time, Zhang Gaoli, a former member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China who had served as the leader of the Winter Olympics work leadership team, was caught in a scandal of sexual assault on Peng Shuai. Later, Peng Shuai, who had suffered physical and psychological trauma, was "interviewed" by the pro-communist media and personally denied the sexual assault.

News (8)

Xi did not mention the 20th National Congress of the CCP

Xi Jinping also mentioned that the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China passed the third historical resolution. But it did not mention the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China to be held in 2022.

Just three days ago, when Xi Jinping presided over the Politburo's Democratic Life Meeting, he also said that convening the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China is the top political task of the Politburo next year. He also emphasized that the Politburo Standing Committee members and members should "take the lead in safeguarding the authority of the Party Central Committee and centralized and unified leadership", "submitting the overall situation, subordinating organizations, and subordinating arrangements."

In this regard, RFI analyzed that Xi did not mention the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in this New Year’s message, which seems to show that Xi Jinping’s succession to the 20th National Congress is not easy, and it is not inconsistent with the atmosphere deliberately created by the 2022 New Year’s message.

The Voice of America previously quoted experts to analyze that Xi Jinping broke the convention and continued to be re-elected, which seems to be a foregone conclusion.

News (9)

Tsai Ing-wen’s New Year Propaganda to Beijing: Don’t misjudge the situation and stop being the military rogue

Reporter : Luo Tingting / Editor: Wen Hui / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2022/01/01/a103309078.html

Image : President Tsai Ing-wen of the Republic of China delivered a New Year speech on 1 January. She shouted to Beijing not to misjudge the situation, to prevent the expansion of internal "military aggressiveism", and emphasize that military is not an option to resolve cross-strait differences. (Video Screenshot)

President Tsai Ing-wen of the Republic of China delivered a New Year speech on 1 January 2022. She called on the Beijing authorities not to misjudge the situation and prevent the expansion of internal "military aggressiveism". More emphasis on military affairs is not an option to resolve differences between the two sides of the strait.

In the morning of 1 January, Tsai Ing-wen delivered a 2022 New Year speech in the Presidential Palace. When she talked about cross-strait relations, she reiterated that the Taiwan government’s position has always been “not to give in under pressure, and not to advance if you get support.”

She reminded the Beijing authorities not to misjudge the situation, but to prevent the expansion of internal "military aggressiveism".

Tsai Ing-wen said that in the face of the new economic situation under the epidemic, both sides of the strait have their own challenges and their respective responsibilities for the well-being of the people. Both sides should jointly shoulder the responsibility of maintaining regional peace and stability.

She said that over the years, Taiwan has continued to call on the Beijing authorities not to deprive Hong Kong of democracy and human rights, and has also solemnly protested the military harassment and diplomatic suppression against Taiwan. She pointed out that these actions by Beijing will not help maintain peace and stability in the region.

Tsai Ing-wen emphasized that military is definitely not an option to resolve cross-strait differences, and military conflicts will impact economic stability.

She called on both sides of the strait to take good care of the people's lives, stabilize the people's minds, and face problems together in a peaceful manner, seek solutions, and ease regional tensions.

Tsai Ing-wen pointed out that in the new year, the Taiwanese government will uphold its sovereignty, uphold the values ​​of freedom and democracy, safeguard territorial sovereignty and national security, and maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

She specifically mentioned that Taiwan will continue to pay attention to the situation in Hong Kong.

Tsai Ing-wen said that a while ago, the general election of the Legislative Council in Hong Kong was disrupted, which made people worry about Hong Kong's democratic development; and a few days ago, the Hong Kong government arrested many media people, which made people worry about human rights and freedom of speech in Hong Kong.

She emphasized that the pursuit of democracy and freedom is not a crime, and Taiwan's stand of supporting Hong Kong will not change. In addition to caring about Hong Kong, Taiwan cherishes the hard-won democracy and freedom. Taiwan has the courage to step out of the shadow of the authoritarian CCP and will not succumb to pressure.

The General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Xi Jinping also delivered a New Year's speech at night of 31 December 2021. He did not mention Taiwan. Regarding cross-strait relations, he only said one sentence: "To achieve the complete reunification of the motherland is the common aspiration of the compatriots on both sides of the strait."

In response to this, the Taiwan Mainland Affairs Council issued a written response, calling on the leaders of the Chinese Communist Party to promote cross-strait interaction under "peace, reciprocity, democracy, and dialogue." They should respect Taiwan’s adherence to a democratic constitutional system, non-subordination of the two sides of the strait, and inviolability of sovereignty. To annex and persist in the future is determined by the people of Taiwan. The common perception of these "four persistences" is the mainstream public opinion in Taiwan, and it is the unswerving bottom line.

News (10)

Xi'an lockdown: A guy who bought steamed buns was punched and kicked by epidemic prevention personnel (video)

Reporter : Luo Tingting  / Editor: Wen Hui / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2022/01/01/a103308959.html

Image : On 31 December, a young man in Xi'an went out to buy steamed buns hungry. When he returned, he was beaten and beaten by epidemic prevention personnel on duty in the community. (Video Screenshot)

On 31 December 2021, a hungry young man in Xi'an went out to buy steamed buns. When he returned, he was beaten and beaten by epidemic prevention personnel on duty in the community. The live video was exposed on the Internet, arousing anger among the public.

On the same day, the video of "Xi'an guy buying steamed buns was beaten by a gang" hit the hot search on Weibo. The video showed that a young man in a white shirt with a bag of steamed bread in his hand walked to the gate of the community, but the anti-epidemic personnel on duty refused to let in.

Afterwards, several anti-epidemic personnel dressed in black surrounded menacingly, punching and kicking the man, and steamed buns scattered all over the ground.

In the video, an epidemic prevention officer slapped the man while yelling at him, "You're looking for death! You're looking for death!"

After that, two women rushed to the scene to stop the gang fight. An epidemic prevention officer who took the lead in the beating also ordered others to "bring his (man) mobile phone." (Click to watch the video)

Netizens in Xi’an who posted the video said that the incident occurred in the West District of Nanyaotou, Zhangba Street, Yanta District, Xi’an. Most of the people living here were migrant workers.

Some local netizens said that the West District of Nanyaotou are mostly urban villages and low- and middle-income communities. The current situation is indeed serious and there is no food available in the communities.

frostwolf555 commented, "I'm in the West District of Nanyaotou. I can't buy steamed buns and no vegetables. The building is closed and no one cares. I can only buy vegetables online and can only be delivered to the gate of the community. There is no way."

The incident of a guy in Xi'an who bought steamed buns was beaten, arousing anger. Netizens said: “I’m starving to death. No one cares. What’s wrong with buying a few steamed buns?” “What kind of world is this? "Human", "First grab the phone, then punch and kick it in one go, the underworld, right?!" "This kind of epidemic prevention will definitely be "successful", and there will be no epidemic situation when the host is starved to death."

"That’s how it happened. The guy went out to buy steamed buns. He came back and refused to let in. He wanted to take a photo with his phone. Then the staff member on the left sneaked around and snatched the guy’s phone from the back. Then the other staff members saw the phone. ."

"Why does the young man risk going out? Because he can't buy food in the community, and no one will give it away. If the community solves the food problem, will the young man go out? Why should the staff at the door beat someone? Why steal it The young man started beating after his cell phone? Who gave them the right to beat?"

"Many volunteers in the community are unemployed young people or homeless people on weekdays. During the epidemic, it will be a lot more convenient or able to receive more things. These volunteers are of relatively low quality, and often these people have a bit of official power if they have rights. '. Of course this is not everyone."

"Seeing this situation will only make people think that the government's food may have arrived, but it was privately taken by these village tyrants! After all, no one would let the hard-bought food scattered all over the place at this moment, except for the alcohol. A full-fledged village tyrant."

After the incident was fermented, some netizens released screenshots showing that the staff in their community issued an announcement saying that the matter had been resolved after mediation by the police station. deleted".

Since Xi'an was closed on December 23 last year, a large number of people have been short of food and food. The issue of "difficulty in buying food in Xi'an" has aroused public attention. A netizen in Xi’an bluntly said, “Xi’an is not like an epidemic, but a famine.”

Meow 0805: "It's really a famine. I can't buy a single vegetable for 7 days."

The Xi'an authorities began to deliver free food on the 28th. Some people received the food, but many people said that they did not receive it. Some netizens disclosed that the community only distributed free food to the owners and not to the tenants.

At the same time, netizens have exposed many communities in Xi'an to monopolize materials and sell high-priced vegetables. The screenshots posted by netizens show that there is a designated vegetable supplier in the community, asking for 435 a box. Some residents responded, "Is this a money grab? 400 RMB a box of vegetables."

Some netizens said, “For 50 RMB, I bought three peppers, three cucumbers, two potatoes, and a handful of vermicelli.”

Another netizen said, “I bought a handful of celery, three garlics, a piece of ginger, two small sections of yam, three sections of lotus root, a small broccoli, two chayote, four persimmons, and two cucumbers for 168 yuan. A handful of enoki mushrooms, a small cabbage, two potatoes, four spicy peppers."

Some netizens disclosed, “The meat sent by the property contact, pork 50 RMB, has a child’s arms, and half of it is fat meat, which can only be roasted. Some people even get scraps with pig nipples. The group I contacted wanted to buy beef and mutton, but it had to be like an underground party joint at night, avoiding cameras in the cold wind, and quietly lining up to buy meat without the security guards. This is the reality."

Video

The traditional Chinese painting in Trump's Villa "Serve the Country with Loyalty". Trump read a Chinese novel, which made him different from other American presidents and achieved his greatest credit. Trump's China connection. | New Vision Issue 465 20211231

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQQ9nYA4vXA