NEW YORK (DNA) – Could a new type of ultraviolet lamps be used in stations, airplanes and schools to kill dangerous viruses, becoming a game changer in the COVID-19 fight?

Researchers at Columbia University have been working on such uses for years, and the current pandemic could confirm the value of their efforts.

UVC lamps have long been used to kill bacteria, viruses and molds, notably in hospitals and in the food-processing industry. As the coronavirus pandemic knocks world economies on their heels, this technology is experiencing a boom.

But UVC (for Ultraviolet-C) rays are dangerous, causing skin cancer and eye problems, and can be used only when no one is present.

The New York subway system, following the example of Chinese subways, plans to use ultraviolet lamps to disinfect its trains, but only during nighttime closures.

A team at Columbia’s Center for Radiological Research is experimenting with so-called far-UVC, rays whose wavelength of 222 nanometers makes them safe for humans but still lethal to viruses, the center’s director, David Brenner, told AFP.

At those frequencies, he explained, the rays cannot penetrate the surface of the skin nor of the eye.

That means they could be used in closed and crowded spaces where contamination risks run high, with potentially huge promise for use during the current pandemic.

In late April, President Donald Trump offered confusing remarks about somehow projecting ultraviolet rays into people’s bodies to kill the coronavirus.

He appeared to be inspired by federal research on the effects of natural light on the virus — but natural light has no UVC rays.

slamabad (DNA): A loved-up photo of acclaimed Pakistani celebrity star Samina Ahmed and Manzar Sehbai, who got married last month, is making the rounds on internet and has won the hearts of the fans.

Manzar Sehbai turned to Instagram and shared a PDA-filled photo. He captioned the adorable photo as “Samina, @ManzarSehbai” with revolving hearts emoji.

People just cannot stop showering love and prayers for the newly-wed couple.The endearing post garnered thousands of hearts within no time.

Samina Ahmed and Manzar Sehbai took fans by surprise after they got married earlier last month.

Later, they extended love and gratitude to their fans for good wishes on their wedding. 

ISLAMABAD (DNA) – Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pakistan Stock Exchange Farrukh H. Khan said that the exchange had Implemented best risk management practices to safeguard investors and ensure its smooth functioning.

The exchange had to activate Market Halt for nine times since its implementation in January this year, he said. “I can tell you that the market halt routine is a normal procedure in-line with international best practices to safeguard investors and the overall market functioning,” he remarked and clarified that it was not something to be alarmed or get anxious about.

He said that the Market Halt was activated eight times when the KSE 30 Index had a downside movement of 5% and once when the Index moved upwards by 5%.

He said that the market halt procedure was necessary to avoid any situation of instability arising in the market due to extreme volatility. The Market Halt is triggered when the KSE 30 Index reaches 5% in either direction and stays there for 5 minutes, whereupon the market is halted for a period of 60 minutes.

During this period, mark to market margins are collected and there is a cooling off opportunity for investors to assess the market and think through their strategy. Hence such halts reduce the risk and help stabilise the market in times of extreme volatility, he told APP.

Talking about the situation in regional and current global stock markets amid Covid-19 pandemic, he said that the situation had resulted in fall of markets globally.

However, he said that the management of PSX took charge of the situation before lockdown, with having necessary precautions in place at the exchange to arrest the possibility of spread of the virus, while making sure that business continuity plans are re tested and in place.

“We initiated certain administrative measures early on prior to the lock down, including manual attendance system, checking the temperature of all visitors to PSX,” installed hand sanitizers, reduced foot-fall and reduced attendance by 50% of staff at the Exchange by providing remote access to employees to work from home.

To a question, he said that at a time when markets were taking a downturn in the current crisis, there was an opportunity for long term investors to make an entry and hold long positions in order to reap the benefits of the attractive valuations now on offer at the Stock Market.

ISLAMABAD (DNA) – The government has so far released Rs 85.9 billion for development projects of National Highway Authority (NHA) out of total allocation of Rs 95.67 billion under its Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2019-20.

According to latest data released by the Planning Commission, an amount of Rs 18.5 billion has been released for construction of motorway from Burhan-Hakla on M-1 to Dera Ismail Khan.

For construction of infrastructure and allied works for metro bus services Peshawar Morr-New International Airport Islamabad, the amount released so far was Rs3.533 billion, while total allocation for this project for the year 2019-20 is Rs 4.5 billion.

Similarly, the government also issued Rs 3.5 billion for construction of black top road Yakmatch-Kharan via Dostain Wadh Khurmagai, whereas for Rs 2.6 billion has been released for construction of 6-lane highway from Kala Shah Kaku to Lahore ring road. For improvement, upgradation and widening of Jaglot-Skardu road, an amount of Rs 5.5 billion has been release out of total allocation of Rs 7.4 billion while for Lahore-Multan motorway, the government released Rs 4.5 billion.

Likewise an amount of Rs 4 billion out of total allocation of Rs 6.5 billion has been released for Sukkur-Hyderabad motorway, whereas for improvement and widening of additional 2-lanes on either side of Thokar Niaz Baig to Hudyiara Drain Multan Road, Lahore, an amount of Rs 2 billion has been released.

For the dualization of Indus Highway Saral Gambila to Kohat Section, the amount released was Rs 5 billion whereas for dualization and improvement of pindigheb-Kohat road Rs 2 billion were released.

An amount of Rs 2.5 billion was released for Peshawar Northern Bypass whereas Rs 2 billion have been released for Sukkur-Multan morotway. The government also released Rs 3.02 billion for land acquisition of Zhob-Kuchlak road whereas R 1.025 billion have been released for Zhob to Kuchlak road.

LAHORE (DNA) – Punjab government on Sunday has issued advisory for home isolation of patients suffering from coronavirus.

According to details, a special home isolation committee will be formed while deputy commissioner of the district will nominate the members.

The assistant commissioner will supervise the team of district home isolation. Sub-committees at rural and urban levels will also be established.

The team will give permission to identify size of houses and family members. 

Chief Minister of Punjab (CM) Sardar Usman Buzdar has also allowed to quarantine patients with minor symptoms of coronavirus at their houses. 

LAHORE (DNA) – Deputy Speaker of Punjab Assembly Sardar Dost Mazari has tested positive for the novel coronavirus on Sunday.

According to details, Sardar Dost Mazari tested positive for the coronavirus in government laboratory. On the other hand, his test, which was carried out by a private laboratory, came out negative.

Deputy Speaker Dost Mazari has said that he is not showing any symptoms of coronavirus and is in good health. However, he self-isolated himself after the result of tests.

Earlier on April 30, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser also tested positive for the novel coronavirus. “My coronavirus test has come back positive. I have quarantined myself in my house,” Qaiser tweeted.

LAHORE (DNA) – Pakistan has confirmed 21 more deaths from novel coronavirus as the nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 639 and positive cases to 29,465, Dunya News reported on Sunday.

According to the latest figures by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), 1,991 persons have been tested positive for COVID-19 in 24 hours.

Pakistan has so far conducted 283,517 coronavirus tests and 13,341 during last 24 hours. Patients are under treatment at quarantine centers of 462 hospitals where 7,295 beds are available.

PROVINCE-WISE DETAILS

Sindh remains the worst-hit province by the pandemic followed by Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

11,093 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Punjab, 10,771 in Sindh, 4,509 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 1,935 in Balochistan, 641 in Islamabad, 430 in Gilgit-Baltistan and 86 in Azad Kashmir.

RECOVERIES

8,023 coronavirus patients have recovered in the country whereas many are in critical condition. 

KARACHI (DNA) – Chief Minister of Sindh (CM) Murad Ali Shah on Sunday has said that negotiation with the traders on opening businesses amid coronavirus lockdown went successful.

According to details, the provincial government has decided to open markets except shopping malls from May 11 from 6:00am to 5:00pm. However, implementation on the SOPs should be ensured.

Earlier, Sindh government had decided to ease the lockdown from May 11 after federation’s decision to end the countrywide lockdown in phases starting May 9.

CM Murad had announced opening of limited number businesses in the province with certain SOPs while in his late night statement, he hinted to further tighten the lockdown in the province.

This contradictory statement of the CM baffled traders community in the province. 

Wuhan, the Chinese city where the coronavirus outbreak started, has reported its first new case of Covid-19 for more than a month.

The case is one of 14 new infections reported by China’s National Health Commission. The patient, a 89-year-old man, is in critical condition and had previously been asymptomatic before testing positive, local media reported.

The man’s local residential community has been put under tight restrictions following the diagnosis, according to the reports.

China has reported a total of 82,901 cases and 4,633 deaths from Covid-19. Tight lockdown restrictions appear to have brought the spread under control.