Apr 4, 2020
Trump blames Obama for lack of pandemic prep
Pressed by a reporter over why the US was not more prepared for the pandemic, Mr Trump blamed the Obama administration, saying "the shelves were empty, we had no ammunition or medical supplies".
He also claimed he inherited "broken" tests, though it is unclear what he meant as the previous administration would not have developed such tests.
"I always knew that pandemics are one of the worst things that could happen," Mr Trump said.
Apr 4, 2020
COVID-19: Ridge Hospital Doctor Tests Positive
A specialist doctor at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, also known as the Ridge Hospital has tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
The affected doctor returned to Ghana from South Africa where he attended a medical conference. This makes the case an imported one.
Apr 4, 2020
Statistical Services Uses New Data Methods To Help Fight Against Covid-19
Ghana Statistical Services, Vodafone Ghana, and the Flowminder Foundation are using innovative data science techniques to support the government's response against COVID-19.
The long-standing Data For Good partnership between Ghana Statistical Services, Vodafone Ghana, and the Flowminder Foundation has enabled the production of rapid mobility estimates using anonymised and aggregated mobile phone data to support the government's interventions against COVID-19.
Apr 4, 2020
We've Not Approved Any Vaccine For Covid-19 Treatment — GHS
Director-General of Ghana Health Service (GHS) Dr Patrick Kuma Aboagye, on Friday said no vaccine has been approved for the treatment of COVID-19 disease.
He explained that ever since the disease started many medical research centres were using enhanced and fast track approaches to get a cure.
Apr 3, 2020
Gabon bans eating of pangolin and bats amid pandemic
Gabon's government on Friday banned the sale and eating of bats and pangolins, which are suspected of sparking the novel coronavirus in China where they are highly prized in traditional medicine.
The novel coronavirus is believed to have come from bats, but researchers think it might have spread to humans via another mammal.
Pangolins are critically endangered and have long been protected, but they are sold in the markets of the capital Libreville and their meat is popular. By ROSLAN RAHMAN (AFP/File)
Apr 3, 2020
Covid-19: Persons With Disability Cries To Gov’t Over Neglected
The Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations has called on the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to provide details of the support intended for persons with disabilities as the country continue to observe the partial lockdown.
“By this press release, we want to remind government of its responsibility to ensuring that proper support is given to persons with disabilities to meet their daily living requirements,including access to food,housing and quality healthcare.
Apr 3, 2020
Covid-19: Ghana Starts Local Production Of Nose Masks
Ghana has commenced the local production of nose masks as part of efforts to combat the spread of the novel Coronavirus disease in the country.
The Director General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Patrick Aboagye, made this known at a press briefing in Accra on Friday.
Apr 3, 2020
COVID-19: Deloitte Predicts Ghana Will Suffer From Low Int’l Trade, Reserves
Given that Ghana is an import-driven economy, COVID-19 is likely to have a significant adverse impact on the country’s international trade and reserves, accounting professionals Deloitte have said.
“If the Covid-19 situation persists longer than anticipated, the economy could suffer from significant decline in Government revenue and expenditure resulting in potential job losses. This could in turn erode the economic gains achieved in recent years and significantly slow down Ghana’s economic development”, Deloitte said in its Economic Impact Analysis of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Ghanaian Economy.
Apr 3, 2020
COVID-19: Mahama Advises Gov't To Produce Locally Made Masks
Former President John Mahama is advising Akufo-Addo's government to consider producing face masks locally for easy access by all Ghanaians for protection against COVID-19.
In a Facebook write-up on day five of the two-week partial lockdown, the flag bearer of the NDC suggested: “We can also consider applying some revenue to procure the appropriate materials to facilitate local production of face masks by our tailors and dressmakers”.
Apr 3, 2020
COVID-19: Use Stabilisation Fund, Waive Fuel Taxes, Give Utility Tariff Reliefs – Mahama To Gov’t
former President John Mahama has stated, "It is time for the Akufo-Addo government to use the Stabilisation Fund “to build some additional buffers for the economy”, since the two-week “well-intentioned” partial lockdown of parts of the country, as part of efforts to mitigate the spread of coronavirus, which has, so far, killed five out of two hundred and four people in Ghana, has “obviously, led to some unintended consequences.”
“The use of the fund”, the flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress said, “Should be directed at cushioning the general population through this period of economic slowdown. These measures may include short term temporary tariff relief in respect of utilities”, he suggested.
Apr 3, 2020
COVID-19 Lockdown: Halt 'Talk Tax' – Mahama Tells Gov’t
Former President John Mahama has urged government that since a lot of people are working from home, as part of measures to halt the spread of the coronavirus, it is important that it gives some tax reliefs to data users.
In a Facebook write-up, Mr Mahama said: “Since a significant number of people are in WFH (working-from-home) mode, the use of data and ICT mediums have become imperative.
BREAKING Covid-19: Upper East Records First Case
One confirmed case of COVID-19 has been recorded in the Upper East region of the country.
This has increased the country’s total case count to 205.
Apr 3, 2020
France death toll rises by 588
By BBC News
A further 588 people in France have died from coronavirus, bringing the country's total to 6,507.
It's an increase on Thursday's figure of 471 deaths in a 24-hour period.
The number of cases nationally has increased to 64,338, a rise of more than 5,000.
France's death toll from the virus is the third highest in Europe, behind Italy (14,681) and Spain (10, 935).
We reported today that a high number of people have been dying in care homes in Europe - 884 in France since the epidemic began.
France's baccalaureat - the high-school leaving exam - will not take place this summer. This is the first time they have not been held since being introduced in 1808 under Napoleon Bonaparte.
Patients in France have been transferred on adapted trains to hospitals with more capacity - Getty Images
Apr 3, 2020
What's the latest from Asia?
- China has asked foreign diplomats to stay away from Beijing until the middle of next month, with foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying warning that "the virus will not grant them immunity". According to the South China Morning Post, a European envoy is currently receiving treatment in the capital, Beijing
- The country has announced 4 April as a day of mourning. Three minutes of silence will be held across China. Trains cars and ships will sound their horns.
- Indonesia's President Joko Widodo said he would not ban travel after Ramadan ends in May, as had been mooted. Millions of people usually head home towards the end of the fasting period. The decision has prompted fears that the outbreak will spread. Indonesia has recorded 181 deaths, the largest number outside of China and Iran.
Apr 3, 2020
US, UK and Spain deaths mount and now virus threatens war zones
Deaths from the global coronavirus epidemic accelerated again on Friday as the US, Spain and Britain grappled with their highest tolls yet and the world economy took a massive hit.
With more than 53,000 dead, the threat has never been more stark. Experts warn that the more than one million cases of COVID-19 confirmed globally are probably just a small proportion of total infections, as testing is not widely available.
Spanish soldiers are setting up temporary shelters for homeless people in a country where more than 10,000 people have now died. By JOSE JORDAN (STR/AFP)
Apr 3, 2020
Uefa wards leagues off ending seasons due to coronavirus
European football's governing body, Uefa, has warned organisers of leagues throughout the continent that their sides could lose places in next season's Champions League and Europa League if the 2019/20 championships are not completed.
Uefa chiefs wrote a joint letter with the European Clubs' Association and the European Leagues which said they are considering plans to ensure that campaigns could finish in July and August.
AFP/Archives
Apr 3, 2020
Coronavirus: 'Worst yet to come' for countries in conflict, says UN chief
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Friday renewed his call for a global ceasefire, urging all parties to conflict to lay down arms and allow war-torn nations to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
"The worst is yet to come," Guterres said, referring to countries beset with fighting like Syria, Libya and Yemen.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. By Fabrice COFFRINI (AFP/File)
Apr 3, 2020
S.Africa forced to confront homelessness amid virus lockdown
At a church in a quiet Pretoria suburb, a lost-looking man in ragged clothes was gently intercepted by a volunteer as he tried to wander out of the building.
"Shame, man," muttered the helper, as he coaxed the man back indoors. "He doesn't speak and no one knows his name."
Haven: The Lyttelton Community Hall in Pretoria, one of a number of temporary shelters for the city's homeless during the coronavirus lockdown. By Phill Magakoe (AFP)
Apr 3, 2020
Grassroots solidarity as Covid-19 information translated into African local languages
As the spread of Covid-19 grips the world, health officials on the African continent have called for help for essential supplies such as masks and ventilators. While some are trying to fill the physical gap, a grassroots effort to get out the information on how to prevent the virus -- washing hands, keeping a distance from others, coughing into your elbow -- has been effective in communicating vital information.
Journalists, filmmakers, graphic designers, and those who can speak or write effectively in one of the estimated 3,000 local languages on the African continent have mobilized to get the message out on how to prevent the deadly virus that is spread by breath droplets as they are coughed or sneezed. Coronavirus can also be transmitted when a person touches their face after touching a contaminated surface. The virus can be absorbed through mucus membranes.
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BREAKING Health officials advise masks, Trump won't wear one
President Donald Trump has announced the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) now recommends that Americans use non-medical, cloth face coverings to help prevent the spread of the virus.
"From recent studies we know that the transmission from individuals without symptoms is playing a more significant role in the spread of the virus than previously understood," Mr Trump said.
"With the masks, it's going to really be a voluntary thing," he emphasised. "It's voluntary, you do not have to do it. I don't think I'm going to be doing it."
He notes the CDC is not recommending the use of medical-grade masks, as those should go to health care workers.