Close to 6.9 million people have died from Covid-19 worldwide, more than double the tally of recorded deaths, a report released on Thursday claims, showing how little the world still knows about the true extent of the pandemic.
Only 3.2 million deaths have been recorded by a widely used resource created by Johns Hopkins University's Centre for Systems Science and Engineering.
Regardless, the US still has the highest death toll in the world, with 905,289 fatalities, a dramatic increase from the about 577,000 reported by Johns Hopkins, the report said.
India, embroiled in an ever-worsening outbreak, has registered 654,395 deaths, according to the report, a sharp rise from the officially reported 220,000.
The analysis was carried out by the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, an independent research organisation to which the US government has referred over the past year.
“As terrible as the Covid-19 pandemic appears, this analysis shows that the actual toll is significantly worse,” said Dr Chris Murray, director of the institute.
The institute said that the project entailed looking into deaths from all causes that would have occurred without a global pandemic and comparing it to excess deaths between March 2020 and March 2021.
The report's estimates focused on deaths directly caused by the virus and not deaths indirectly caused by strapped healthcare systems.
The institute says countries have been counting Covid-19 deaths that occurred in healthcare centres and those linked to positive test results.
Testing capacity varies widely from country to country, making it difficult to determine whether a death was directly contributable to the virus and leading to lower official tallies.
The US Centres for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) said on Friday it is reviewing the IHME report and will consider whether to increase their numbers as a result.
"We will look at this carefully, and then we will work within the CDC to make decisions as to whether to count them as excess or to count them as Covid-specific," CDC Chief Dr Rochelle Walensky said in a briefing.
The CDC currently has the US death toll over 577,000 deaths, similar to the Johns Hopkins University tally.
Adjusting to the IHME numbers would add more than 300,000 deaths in the US.
“Many countries have devoted exceptional effort to measuring the pandemic’s toll, but our analysis shows how difficult it is to accurately track a new and rapidly spreading infectious disease,” Dr Murray said.
In the Middle East, the institute found concerning results in Egypt and Iran.
More than 174,000 people have died from Covid-19 in Iran, according to the report – about 100,000 more than the recorded 72,906.
It found that at least 170,000 people have died from the virus in Egypt, almost 13 times the recorded 13,529 deaths.
The World Health Organisation says it is seeing the worst weeks of the pandemic in terms of global cases.
The death rate, which lags behind infections by about two or three weeks, is also rising.
More from Armen Sarkissian
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
Temple numbers
Expected completion: 2022
Height: 24 meters
Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people
Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people
First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time
First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres
Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres
Structure includes two basements, ground and first floor
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Racecard
6pm: Mina Hamriya – Handicap (TB) $75,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
6.35pm: Al Wasl Stakes – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (Turf) 1,200m
7.10pm: UAE Oaks – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,900m
7.45pm: Blue Point Sprint – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,000m
8.20pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (T) 2,810m
8.55pm: Mina Rashid – Handicap (TB) $80,000 (T) 1,600m
if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Teaching in coronavirus times
If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
