NewsReports

Edo State Government has opened a new ultra-modern 30-bed isolation facility at the Stella Obasanjo Hospital, Benin City, equipped with 15 ventilators, oxygen concentrators, dialysis and mobile x-ray machines, among other equipment to manage cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state. Deputy Governor and Chairman, Technical Sub-committee on COVID-19 Response, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, who led a team of …

President Donald Trump unveiled new guidelines on Thursday meant to help states loosen their social distancing restrictions, but in a retreat from his onetime claim of “absolute authority” to restart the economy, he told governors on an afternoon telephone call it was their decision on when and how to reopen. “You are going to call your own shots,” Trump said, …

PRESS RELEASE The Nigerian Non-Custodial Service of the Edo State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service has commenced full operations. This followed the sentencing of violators of the Edo State Government regulations on Social Distancing, compulsory use of nose masks and other instructions. They were sentenced to carry out Community services by Mobile courts constituted by the State. The Officer …

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 …