New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson said that cases of COVID-19 in an IPL team have raised some apprehension about the coming tournament and reminded him of the need be vigilant about his health and surroundings.

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson said that cases of COVID-19 in an IPL team have raised some apprehension about the coming tournament and reminded him of the need be vigilant about his health and surroundings. Also read: CPL 2020: Amazon Warriors bowlers rout Barbados Tridents Williamson will leave for UAE to join his team Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday. On Saturday, 13 members of the Chennai Super Kings, including two players, had tested positive for COVID-19 after arriving in the UAE and had been placed into isolation. "Obviously that's bad news," Williamson told Radio New Zealand on Wednesday. "You don't want to hear anybody (has) COVID. "I hear they are predominantly asymptomatic, so hopefully through another lockdown period, they can come through and we'll be okay. "There's a little bit of apprehension, certainly as you get nearer to the time ... you start thinking you do have to be extremely vigilant and disciplined." The Kiwi was pleased to know that the teams in the IPL would be placed in separate hotels. Players have also been warned about breaching their bio-security bubble during the tournament, that starts on September 19. Williamson including six other New Zealand cricketers scheduled to play in this year's IPL, while another eight are in Trinidad for the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). New Zealand's men's team have not played since March when their limited-overs series in Australia was abruptly postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Kiwis are expecting to host the West Indies, Pakistan, Australia and Bangladesh this summer. (Inputs from Reuters)

Coronavirus outbreak increases vigilance around IPL: Kane Williamson

Could air pollution be contributing to a spike in the number of COVID-19 infections? This analysis claims there is “compelling” evidence.

The study, which took into account over 20 factors ascertained how air pollution in one particular area causes more infections, and also more admissions and deaths in hospitals.

Major spike!

Any long-term exposure to polluted air can trigger over a 10 per cent spike in infections, and over 15 per cent increase in the number of COVID-related deaths.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/surge-in-deaths-due-to-hiv-tuberculosis-and-malaria-amid-coronavirus-pandemic-study-313145" hreflang="en">Surge in deaths due to HIV, tuberculosis and malaria amid coronavirus pandemic: Study</a>

Co-morbidities have a major role to play in the fatality of most coronavirus cases. The researchers took into account factors like age, obesity, household size, population density, occupation, etc.

The study, based mostly in the Netherlands corroborates the evidence of infection rates and its link to pollution from Europe, the US, and China. It is in fact fundamentally very different from the Euro-centric studies, for most pollution in the Netherlands takes place not in big cities, but in the suburbs, where most livestock farming takes place.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mystery-as-argentine-sailors-infected-with-virus-after-35-days-at-sea-313138" hreflang="en">Mystery as Argentine sailors infected with virus after 35 days at sea</a>

This cancels out the commonly held belief that high air pollution and cityscapes go hand-in-hand. According to scientists, this could help identify and contain cases in potential hotspots, where the pollution levels are the highest.

Making minor cases fatal

The basic rationale behind this is the fact that air pollution could make even minor cases fatal, for it inflames the lungs and adds on to respiratory woes, which may get complicated after long-term exposure to pollution coinciding with one contracting the deadly virus.

Air pollution also significantly adds to heart disease, putting them at more risk of death.

The research was undertaken by a group of scientists at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, and has been reviewed by independent scientists.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/worst-case-uk-winter-could-see-120000-covid-deaths-in-second-wave-313135" hreflang="en">'Worst-case' UK winter could see 120,000 COVID deaths in second wave</a>

The team was able to find a “positive relationship” between air pollution and coronavirus cases.

A similar study earlier undertaken by Harvard University had claimed how an eight per cent increase in COVID-related deaths could be attributed to a single-unit increase in the fine particle pollution.

The researchers also took into account the “Netherlands carnival”, where people meet in the livestock farming regions. It is here that the number of coronavirus infections remain the highest, probably due to the high levels of ammonia emitted by the animals.

They also looked at factors like smoking, average income, and education level.

Could air pollution be contributing to a spike in the number of COVID-19 infections? This analysis claims there is “compelling” evidence. The study, which took into account over 20 factors ascertained how air pollution in one particular area causes more infections, and also more admissions and deaths in hospitals.

Could air pollution be contributing to a spike in the number of COVID-19 infections? This analysis claims there is “compelling” evidence. The study, which took into account over 20 factors ascertained how air pollution in one particular area causes more infections, and also more admissions and deaths in hospitals. Major spike! Any long-term exposure to polluted air can trigger over a 10 per cent spike in infections, and over 15 per cent increase in the number of COVID-related deaths. Also read: Surge in deaths due to HIV, tuberculosis and malaria amid coronavirus pandemic: Study Co-morbidities have a major role to play in the fatality of most coronavirus cases. The researchers took into account factors like age, obesity, household size, population density, occupation, etc. The study, based mostly in the Netherlands corroborates the evidence of infection rates and its link to pollution from Europe, the US, and China. It is in fact fundamentally very different from the Euro-centric studies, for most pollution in the Netherlands takes place not in big cities, but in the suburbs, where most livestock farming takes place. Also read: Mystery as Argentine sailors infected with virus after 35 days at sea This cancels out the commonly held belief that high air pollution and cityscapes go hand-in-hand. According to scientists, this could help identify and contain cases in potential hotspots, where the pollution levels are the highest. Making minor cases fatal The basic rationale behind this is the fact that air pollution could make even minor cases fatal, for it inflames the lungs and adds on to respiratory woes, which may get complicated after long-term exposure to pollution coinciding with one contracting the deadly virus. Air pollution also significantly adds to heart disease, putting them at more risk of death. The research was undertaken by a group of scientists at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, and has been reviewed by independent scientists. Also read: 'Worst-case' UK winter could see 120,000 COVID deaths in second wave The team was able to find a “positive relationship” between air pollution and coronavirus cases. A similar study earlier undertaken by Harvard University had claimed how an eight per cent increase in COVID-related deaths could be attributed to a single-unit increase in the fine particle pollution. The researchers also took into account the “Netherlands carnival”, where people meet in the livestock farming regions. It is here that the number of coronavirus infections remain the highest, probably due to the high levels of ammonia emitted by the animals. They also looked at factors like smoking, average income, and education level.

Air pollution significantly contributes to rise in coronavirus infections and deaths: Study

Venezuelans who left their country following an economic collapse over four years ago are now being forced to return in view of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

According to data from the UN Refugee Agency, over five million Venezuelans had fled their country since 2016. Owing to the economic collapse, poverty was on the rise, and no infrastructure In place to keep health and social services running.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has left no country untouched, and its fallout in already struggling countries will be felt way more than others.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://wionews.com/videos/fineprint-venezuelan-migrants-left-homeless-covid-19-pandemic-298933/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Deliberately infected?

However, returning migrants may not be accepted back into their country. On June 11, the embattled President Nicolas Maduro claimed that many migrants were being purposely infected with COVID-19 and sent from other countries to wreak havoc in Venezuela.

As of now, only 1,000 migrants can reenter the country every week.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/britain-recognises-guaido-as-venezuela-president-not-maduro-uk-high-court-310199" hreflang="en">Britain recognises Guaido as Venezuela president, not Maduro: UK High Court</a>

Government data suggests that between March and June, over 56,000 migrants had crossed back into the country. However, Colombian authorities claim that 60,000 have ventured back through Cucuta alone since March. Over three million Venezuelans had earlier marched through this border leaving their country behind in search for better employment opportunities.

South America in ruins!

Venezuela is no longer the only South American country to be in economic shackles.

According to the International Labour Organization, Peru has witnessed a dip of 80 per cent in the average working hours, implying employment has also fallen.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/trump-says-would-consider-meeting-venezuelas-maduro-report-307617" hreflang="en">Trump says would consider meeting Venezuela's Maduro: Report</a>

Additionally, the UN World Food Programme claims that ever since the pandemic began, all of South America has witnessed a three-fold increase in the demand for food assistance.

Venezuela’s ninety six per cent population currently lives under poverty, making it not the ideal location for one to hole up in during a pandemic.

Venezuelans who left their country following an economic collapse over four years ago are now being forced to return in view of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Venezuelans who left their country following an economic collapse over four years ago are now being forced to return in view of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. According to data from the UN Refugee Agency, over five million Venezuelans had fled their country since 2016. Owing to the economic collapse, poverty was on the rise, and no infrastructure In place to keep health and social services running. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has left no country untouched, and its fallout in already struggling countries will be felt way more than others. Deliberately infected? However, returning migrants may not be accepted back into their country. On June 11, the embattled President Nicolas Maduro claimed that many migrants were being purposely infected with COVID-19 and sent from other countries to wreak havoc in Venezuela. As of now, only 1,000 migrants can reenter the country every week. Also read: Britain recognises Guaido as Venezuela president, not Maduro: UK High Court Government data suggests that between March and June, over 56,000 migrants had crossed back into the country. However, Colombian authorities claim that 60,000 have ventured back through Cucuta alone since March. Over three million Venezuelans had earlier marched through this border leaving their country behind in search for better employment opportunities. South America in ruins! Venezuela is no longer the only South American country to be in economic shackles. According to the International Labour Organization, Peru has witnessed a dip of 80 per cent in the average working hours, implying employment has also fallen. Also read: Trump says would consider meeting Venezuela's Maduro: Report Additionally, the UN World Food Programme claims that ever since the pandemic began, all of South America has witnessed a three-fold increase in the demand for food assistance. Venezuela’s ninety six per cent population currently lives under poverty, making it not the ideal location for one to hole up in during a pandemic.

Venezuela: Migrants seek to return home, Maduro claims they're being deliberately infected with coronavirus

The Wuhan Coronavirus outbreak triggered a debate. Experts are split on whether or not a mask can defeat the coronavirus. What should you do? WION's Palki Sharma brings you the answer.

Gravitas: Should you wear a mask? | Wuhan Coronavirus