COVID-19 Updates around the world
Mar 18, 2020
Canadian High Commission In Ghana Closed Down; Workers Leave Ghana
The Canadian High Commission in Ghana has shut down following the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus in the country.
“In doing our part to #flattenthecurve & prevent the spread of #COVID19, our offices are closed to the general public until further notice,” the High Commission posted on Twitter on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.
Mar 18, 2020
Two Italians Blocked From Entering Ghana
Immigration officials at the Kotoka International Airport on Monday, March 16 refused two Italian nationals entry into Ghana.
The two arrived via an Air France operated aircraft which landed in Accra.
The Information Minister, Kojo Oppong who made this known said the decision is in line with the government's travel advisory following the COVID-19 outbreak.
“Last night I think there were two Italians who were coming from the epicentre and as we got the confirmation of the details, even though the aircraft was in the air, we had to make arrangements at the airport to ensure they do not get off the aircraft and they have been returned to their original destination.”
“So although we are yet to hit the 1 pm deadline today, some soft enforcement has already commenced at our ports entry.”
Mar 18, 2020
7th Victim Is A Ghanaian Who Returned From France – GHS
Government has today Tuesday, 17th March disclosed that there was another confirmed case of the deadly COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 7.
In a statement, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) said, “This afternoon (17 March 2020); we have received report from NMIMR that indicated one (1) more confirmed case as positive for COVID-19 in Greater Accra Region.”
The Government website dedicated to give updates on the coronavirus outbreak in the country explained that the most recent case of involved a 35-year old male Ghanaian who returned from France within the past 14 days.
“This afternoon (17 March 2020); we have received report from NMIMR that indicated one (1) more confirmed case as positive for COVID-19 in Greater Accra Region. The case-patient is a 35-year-old male, a Ghanaian citizen, who returned to Acca from France within the past 14 days. This is another imported case, which brings the total number of confirmed cases to seven (7). The case is being managed in isolation and he is in stable condition.” The statement added.
The Ghana Health Service also provided some updates on the on-going contact-tracing for already existing cases of COVID-19 in Ghana.
“With regard to contact tracing, a total of 350 contacts have been identified and are being followed up. Two of the contacts who developed symptoms, had their samples tested but they came out to be negative. Currently, there is no death and all the seven (7) confirmed COVID-19 cases are being managed in isolation and are in stable condition,” the statement concluded.
Mar 18, 2020
Ghana’s Embassy In Berlin Suspends Consular Services Over Coronavirus
Ghana's embassy in Berlin, Germany, has temporarily suspended consular services due to increasing numbers of coronavirus cases in Germany.
The suspension is expected to last for two weeks with effect from Wednesday, March 18, 2020.
It is a precautionary measure, according to a statement issued by the Embassy.
“All applications receive prior to the effective date will be processed and dispatched to applicants,” it said.
Meanwhile, Ghana's Ambassador to Germany, Gina Blay, has admonished all Ghanaians living in Germany to strictly adhere to the World Health Organization's precautionary measures on Covid-19 in order to remain safe.
Mar 17, 2020
A vaccine could be ready 'towards autumn' - EU chief
The German company CureVac could have a vaccine ready “towards fall (autumn)”, EU Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen has said.
Experts have said it will take at least a year to 18 months to get to that stage.
Mar 17, 2020
Turkey makes arrests over virus posts
In Turkey, 19 people have been detained for making "“unfounded and provocative” posts on social media about the government's handling of the outbreak.
The government has also identified 93 suspects who had written posts “targeting officials and spreading panic and fear”, the country's interior ministry said.
Turkey has closed cafes, sports venues, and suspended mass prayers in mosques. The number of confirmed cases there is 47.
Mar 17, 2020
7th Case Of COVID-19 Recorded
Ghana has recorded another case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) today, Tuesday, March 17.
This was published on Government's dedicated website to provide frequent update on the pandemic.
This brings to seven the number of victims/cases recorded within the last few weeks.
The government through the Information Ministry is yet to provide full details of the seventh victim.
Mar 17, 2020
Iran releases 85,000 prisoners, mobilises army to fight coronavirus
Iran- the world's third worst coronavirus-hit country- says it temporarily released 85,000 prisoners from its jails to deal with the virus that has infected the country's penal system as well. Tehran mobilized its main fighting forces, the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRCG) and the army to help out too, but it doesn't manage to roll back the effects of the virus yet.
“In jails, we have taken precautionary measures to confront the outbreak,” Iran's judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili was quoted as saying by Reuters press agency, adding that “some 85,000 prisoners have been released.”
Mar 17, 2020
Lighthouse Chapel Introduces Online Church Services
By Jan van der Made - RFI
The Lighthouse Chapel International, Korle-Gonno Cathedral in the Greater Accra region is considering broadcasting its various church services to members via online as part of precautionary measures against the novel Coronavirus.
This would allow members to maintain close ties with their Maker, while reducing physical contact hours to avoid the spread of the virus.
Mar 17, 2020
Jack Ma 'to donate coronavirus test kits to Africa'
Chinese billionaire and co-founder of Alibaba, Jack Ma, has pledged donate 20,000 testing kits, 100,000 masks and 1,000 protective suits to each African country to help the fight against coronavirus.
Mr Ma, Asia's richest person, earlier this month sent consignments of medical supplies to the US and pledged to distribute two million protective masks across Europe.
The supplies for Africa would be delivered to Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed overseeing distribution to the rest of the continent, he said in a statement.
"As members of the global community, it will be irresponsible of us to sit on the fence, panic, ignore facts, or fail to act. We need to take action now," he said.
Mr Abiy confirmed the news in a series of tweets and spoke of his "great appreciation" for Jack Ma's partnership:
Mr Ma said his Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation would also provide online material for coronavirus clinical treatment to medical institutions on the continent.
There has been a sharp rise in coronavirus cases in Africa in recent days, although they are still fewer than in most other continents.
Strict measures have been ordered - including travel restrictions and the closure of schools - in South Africa and Kenya among others.
There are concerns that the continent's weak health systems may be unable to cope with a large outbreak, and that governments lack financial and logistical resources to deal with the virus.