Coronavirus updates As it happens (2020-03-31)
Mar 31, 2020
LIVE: Press Briefing with Coronavirus Task Force
Mar 31, 2020
Boy, 13, dies after testing positive for virus
By BBC News
A 13-year-old boy from London has died after testing positive for coronavirus, King's College Hospital has said.
"Sadly, a 13-year old boy who tested positive for Covid-19 has passed away, and our thoughts and condolences are with the family at this time," a spokesman for the hospital said.
"The death has been referred to the coroner and no further comment will be made."
Mar 31, 2020
France’s deaths rise by 499 in 24 hours
By BBC News
France has recorded 499 new hospital deaths from coronavirus in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 3,523, its director of health has said. This is the highest daily rise in such deaths since the outbreak began.
Health agency director Jérôme Salomon told a news conference that the number of cases had risen to 52,128 from 44,550 in the same period.
He said a total of 5,565 patients had been placed in intensive case, a rise of 588 in 24 hours.
France is one of five countries, including the US, China, Italy and Spain, to have surpassed the threshold of 3,000 deaths.
France is not yet counting deaths outside hospitals, so the total number of deaths could potentially be higher.
Mar 31, 2020
Covid-19: UHAS To Begin Testing – Health Minister
The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in the Volta Region will begin testing for COVID-19.
This was announced by Minister for Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu in Ho, when he paid a surprise visit to the regional capital to ascertain the preparedness and operations of the Regional Health Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH) regarding isolation and treatment of suspected/confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the enclave.
Mar 31, 2020
No Covid-19 Recorded In Koforidua
The Eastern Regional Health Directorate has debunked reports that there is a recorded coronavirus case in Koforidua.
According to the directorate, the number of suspected cases is 28 as at 30th March 2020 and were negative when tested.
Mar 31, 2020
US' coronavirus death toll surpasses China's
By BBC News
The United States’ death toll from coronavirus is now higher than that of China’s, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University. The US has reported 3,415 deaths, while in China, where the virus originated, the number stands at 3,309.
It comes as the country’s leading infectious disease expert says there is a “reasonably good chance” the US will face a second wave of coronavirus later this year.
Dr Anthony Fauci, from the National Institutes of Health, said a second wave was likely “given the pervasiveness of this infection and its transmissibility”. But if a second wave does happen, the US "will be much, much better prepared", he added.
The US would have better medical equipment and anti-viral drugs and a vaccine may be available by the time a second outbreak occurs, Dr Fauci said in an interview with CNN on Tuesday.
On Sunday, Dr Fauci predicted the coronavirus pandemic could kill up to 200,000 Americans.
The US has 165,874 confirmed cases of coronavirus, the highest number in the world, figures from Johns Hopkins University showed.
Dr Anthony Fauci has become the face of the Trump administration's Coronavirus Task Force - Getty Images
Mar 31, 2020
Covid-19 Lockdown: MoMo Operators Cleared To Operate
Operators of mobile money in areas under the partial lockdown have been given the clearance to continue business.
President Akufo-Addo imposed a two-week partial lockdown on Accra, Tema, Kasoa, and Kumasi from Monday, March 30, 2020.
Mar 31, 2020
Covid-19: Nine More Recorded; Cases Hit 161
Ghana has recorded additional nine new novel coronavirus cases.
All the nine cases were reported in Accra, the Ghana Health Service has confirmed.
Mar 31, 2020
COVID-19: Recovery Cases Now Three
Another Coronavirus patient has recovered.
This brings to 3, the total number of people who have recovered from the disease in the country.
Mar 31, 2020
Five Malians Suspected Of Covid-19 Quarantined In Northern Region
The Northern Regional Authorities have quarantined five Malians who were travelling from Kumasi to Tamale in the Northern Region.
The five were part of 78 passengers in a Malian registered vehicle which was intercepted by security officials in the region.