NewsReports

The House of Representatives and stakeholders in the power sector have agreed to set up a joint implementation committee on the proposed two-month free power supply to Nigerians. The free electricity is part of the stimulus package aimed at alleviating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Nigerians. The House of Representatives had announced its decision to consider a fresh Stimulus Bill …

Coronavirus is slowly gaining a foothold in Africa, a continent once perceived as one of the safest regions against the disease. In less than two months after Egypt became the first country in Africa to confirm a coronavirus case, the outbreak has reached all but two of Africa’s 54 countries. Only Comoros and Lesotho have yet to report confirmed cases. Nearly a …

Countries that want to lift coronavirus restrictions must meet a row of conditions to prevent another surge of infections, Director-General of the World Health Organisation, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said on Thursday. In his weekly address to Geneva-based diplomats, Tedros said that easing social and economic curbs “must be done extremely carefully.” “If done too quickly, we risk a resurgence that …

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation says northern Nigeria remains a high-risk region for the spread of COVID-19 due to its weak primary healthcare system. Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Mark Suzman, said this during a conference call with select African journalists including The PUNCH on Thursday. Responding to a question on how the pandemic could affect northern Nigeria, Suzman said …

No fewer than 19 persons have died this year following the resurgence of Lassa fever in Bauchi State. The State Deputy Governor, Senator Baba Tela, disclosed this at a press conference held on Thursday at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Bauchi. He said no fewer than 48 persons were under watch and undergoing treatment for the deadly disease in the …

More people dying at home in Massachusetts and other states suggests the coronavirus pandemic death toll is higher than official reports. CAMBRIDGE, MA — In March, 317 people died at home in Middlesex County, an increase of 20 percent over the average number of at-home deaths in the state’s most populous county during the same month in the previous three …

Edo State Government has chided the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Edo State Branch, over what it said was false and misleading comments on the government’s efforts to check the spread of Coronavirus pandemic in the state. In a letter addressed to the Chairman, NMA, Edo State Branch, Valentine Omoifo, the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., said the …

 … Says services will extend across 18 LGAs Edo State Government has set up screening facilities in six Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) and four private hospitals in Benin City, as part of efforts to curtail the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state. The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Patrick Okundia, who disclosed this to journalists in Benin City, the Edo …

Edo State Government has placed a ban on street trading, as part of new measures to enforce social distancing and check the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state. At a press briefing on Thursday, Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, said the measure was being taken to restrict movement and ensure compliance to social distancing and other directives …

Stoltenberg held a virtual news conference in Brussels today after an online meeting of alliance defense ministers. Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper attended the defense ministers meeting from his Pentagon office. Alliance members are cooperating in reacting to the pandemic just as if an enemy had attacked a NATO member, the secretary general said. “COVID-19 represents an unprecedented challenge …