Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: covid-19

Gov. Sanwo-Olu commissions first indigenous medical face mask factory in Lagos

The first indigenous medically graded face mask manufacturing company has opened in Lagos State.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, opened the O-Care Medical Face Mask factory in Odofin Park Estate, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of the State, saying the development was timely.

The factory is a subsidiary of Transgreen Nigeria Limited, a local manufacturer of medical equipment, such as respirator, ventilator, hand gloves and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

The O-Care face mask is said to be the first certified medical face mask locally produced in Nigeria in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) standards.

The Governor said the idea of setting up the factory was necessitated by the shortage of medically treated PPEs experienced in the wake of the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. He said he was personally elated by the development, in that the first indigenous face mask production factory was built in Lagos.

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He said: “I am personally excited to attend this event, because Lagos is recording another first for a good cause. The establishment of the first indigenous factory producing certified medical face masks represents the can-do spirit of Nigerians. As a Government that supports fresh and progressive ideas, we will continue to celebrate and encourage good innovation.

“Mr. Orakpor deserves commendation because he has not let the pandemic affect his investment drive in bringing about new business and products to fit our own environment. This is part of the narratives we are pushing as government. We can be the enabler for investors to set up businesses.

“If wearing of face masks must be accepted as a new normal, we must be able to strategically domesticate solutions that can provide ready market for our people. The opening of the factory is a confirmation of what we stand for as a Government. We must be the catalyst to nurture ideas and support business.”

The Governor disclosed that the State Government had started to work out modalities for the creation of economic zone for healthcare delivery to drive more investments to the sector.

He said the Government was looking at a long-term loan facility for operators in the health sector to achieve local production of scarce medical equipment and materials.

The Governor hailed the factory owner’s audacity and resilience in investing his capital for the production of medical face mask, which he described as the most sought after product in this period of public health crisis.

To encourage the manufacturer, Sanwo-Olu procured 250,000 pieces of the O-Care face mask from the first production batch. He said the materials would be distributed to medical and emergency workers on the frontline.

Managing Director of Transgreen Nigeria Limited, Mr. Cyprian Orakpo, said the idea of setting up the company was born out of the embarrassing situation the nation found itself with the absence of local manufacturers of medical face masks in the country.

Orakpo said medical PPEs had become objects of national security, especially in the period when there is not curative vaccine to stop the spread of the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic. He stressed that scarcity of the products could spell doom for the nation if there’s no local manufacturer.

He said: “In this time when the use of medical face mask is highly recommended, we have risen to the occasion to fill the void in medically certified face mask production to contribute our quota in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic and to promote health security in the country.”

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The O-Care face mask is developed with three layers that offer substantial protection against dust, airborne viruses and bacteria. Its nose clip provides comfort for breathing and gives low respiratory resistance.

An official of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Kola Jinadu, who represented the agency’s Director-General, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, said the company must be commended for the initiative, which he also described as “timely”.

In showing appreciation to the Governor for his support, the owner of the factory donated 30,000 medical face masks to the State Government. Sanwo-Olu ordered that the face masks be donated to Secondary School pupils who will be taking their examination from next week.

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July 31, 2020
Eid-el-Kabir: Saraki canvasses Muslims on complying with COVID-19 regulations, patriotism

Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has stressed that it is important for Muslim faithful to avoid huge gatherings and other conduct which may lead to the spread of Covid-19 as they celebrate Sallah.

In a statement issued by his Media Office in Abuja on Thursday, Saraki, while he felicitated with Muslims across the country on the celebration of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival, canvasses adherence to COVID-19 regulations.

“We should also stick to the use of face masks, wash our hands from time to time, apply hand sanitizers and maintain physical distance. This is important to avert a situation where after Sallah, there would be increased cases of people infected with the virus”, he stated.

The former lawmaker called on Muslims to pray for the unity, development and security of Nigeria because the nation is facing many challenges which pose serious threat to her unity and progress.

He also noted that citizens need to rededicate themselves physically, spiritually and intellectually to the cause of saving and serving the country.

He added that a period like that of Eid-el-Kabir, a season of sacrifice and demonstration of faith, provides an opportunity for such renewal of patriotism. The Eid-el-Kabir festival, he stated, symbolizes the voluntary obedience of Prophet Ibrahim (ASW) to the commands of Allah and the demonstration of his faith in his maker.

He urged Muslims to also remember that Allah commands them to obey the laws of their land, comply with lawful directives from the government of the day, live in peace with their neighbours and commit their affairs into the hands of the ultimate controller.

“There is no time that we need to demonstrate all the lessons of Eid-el-Adha than now. Apart from the economic and security problems, the unique challenges imposed on our environment by the Covid-19 pandemic demand that we all work together to reduce the spread of the virus, maintain peace in our society and help to channel the lean resources of state to funding of priority issues.

He urged Muslims to use the Sallah period to intensify prayers for the country. “We should seek for Almighty Allah (SWT) to heal her, restore full security, prosperity, peace and strengthen her unity. We should pray for victory for our soldiers fighting against insurgency and banditry in different parts of the country and protection for our health officials on the frontlines striving to prevent the spread of Covid-19 across the country”, Saraki stated.

July 30, 2020
FG commits to assisting 177 stranded Niger returnees

The Federal Government has assured the 177 Nigerians repatriated from Niger Republic of protection and support as well as respecting their dignity and rights as citizens of the Country.

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Farouq who gave the assurance in Abuja while receiving them said, the Federal Government had assembled an inter-ministerial team to ensure that arrangements were in place to cater for the returning citizens.

Represented by the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugee, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Senator Bashir Muhammed, the Minister said the Federal Government sympathised with them as the President deemed it fit to assist all Nigerians who wished to return to the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The Minister thanked the International Organisation of Migration (IOM), individuals as well as various government agencies and Organisations who contributed to the success of their return.

The 177 Nigerians who were stranded in Niger Republic due to the COVID-19 restrictions, arrived Abuja last night and would be managed in line with the COVID-19 Quarantine Protocol within 72hrs of arrival.

July 30, 2020
COVID-19: Ogun – Gov. Abiodun reopens worship centres Aug 14

The Governor Dapo Abiodun-led Ogun State Government has announced that worship centres would tentatively reopen across the state from August 14.

Giving an update on strategies his administration was employing to combat the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Abiodun explained that the decisions were reached after rigorous deliberations.

According to him, “After rigorous deliberations by the related committee, I can announce that worship centres will tentatively reopen on Friday, 14th August, on the condition that they adhere to agreed guidelines, failing which we shall not hesitate to impose severe sanctions on erring centres.

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“These are on the use of face masks and hand sanitisers; distancing; and provision of medical, toilet and hygiene facilities including Veronica buckets.

“Others include: Muslims should perform ablution at home and go to mosque with personal praying mats; certified medical personnel to check worshippers’ temperature before admittance to venues; handshakes, hugs and air conditioners to be avoided in all centres; provision of isolation rooms, as well as digital cameras to record services, in each centre; and adequate medical support to be provided for sick persons.

“Other measures are: duration of services not to be more than an hour and a half, while intervals in the case of multiples should be of the same duration; constant sensitisation on COVID-19, its dangers, preventive measures, and especially the susceptibility of the elderly, to be included in sermons; and large worship centres (with more than 200 worshippers in a given service) to further pursue concurrence with Ogun State Government Committee, towards ensuring ventilation and effective entry and exit management procedure and the avoidance of item sharing during Holy Communion.”

The governor said it’s worrisome that Ogun State, like Nigeria, has been witnessing an increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.

He noted that despite his administration having screened over 10,000 persons and also tested about 5,611 people as at July 28, the state has 1,326 confirmed cases; out of which 1,068 have been discharged; while the state has an unfortunate record of 23 related fatalities; with 227 active cases.

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Abiodun urged the residents of Ogun State to adhere to advisories rolled out by health authorities.

On the reopening of schools, the governor said despite having initiated e-classes for students, “we understand the uniqueness of physical classes, so we have made available Risk Assessment Forms on ogmoest.org to public and private schools to evaluate readiness for the adoption of the Federal Government’s resolve to allow SS3 students resume on 4th August to prepare for SSCE (to begin on the 17th).”

He added that “a mandatory virtual training is also being organised for school staff on decontamination, medical equipment, toilet facilities, flexibility of closing times, and special requirements for boarding schools.”

Idowu Sowunmi

July 30, 2020
FG lifts ban on Executive Jets Air for violating COVID-19 lockdown

The Federal Government of Nigeria Monday lifted the ban placed on the Executive Jets Air Services for violating the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)-induced lockdown order.

The private airline was suspended indefinitely on June 16 by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, for operating a controversial flight, conveying Nigerian popular musician, Azeez Fashola, otherwise called Naira Marley, and ex-BB Naija housemate, Kim Oprah, from Lagos to Abuja and back to Lagos for a concert.

The flight was said to have been approved for a different purpose at that time to convey a serving judge on official assignment from Lagos to Abuja and back to Lagos.

Disclosing the lifting of the suspension order during the bi-weekly Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 briefing, Sirika explained that the Muhammadu Buhari administration decided to lift the ban following the compliance of the airline with sanctions imposed on it.

“Today, we lifted the ban on Executive Jets Air Services Limited. The firm has complied substantially with all of our imposed sanctions.

“The airline has paid parts of the fine and brought forward a payment plan for the balance. So, we have lifted the ban and the airline will continue to do its business. These kind of things are not punitive, they are things to make our industry work better and keep all of you safe,” the minister said.

Sirika added that he has not received the report of the investigation into alleged violations of the COVID-19 protocols by dignitaries who have been alleged to violate COVID-19 safety protocols at airports.

Some Nigerians including serving and former governors among others have been accused of violating COVID-19 safety protocols and the ban on air travels using private and official planes.

“As to the VIP offenders which are undergoing investigation, the report will be on my desk this week hopefully and we will keep Nigerians posted,” Sirika assured.

By Idowu Sowunmi

July 28, 2020
African Development Bank Approves $27m Grant Financing to Curb COVID-19 Pandemic

African Development Bank has approved a sum of $27.4 million in grants to boost the African Union (AU)’s efforts to mobilise continental response to curb the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Speaking after the bank’s approval by its Board of Governors, President of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina, said: “With this financing package, we are reaffirming our strong commitment to a coordinated African response in the face of COVID-19.

“Most importantly, we are sending a strong signal that collectively, the continent can address the pandemic in Africa, which is straining health systems and causing unprecedented socio-economic impacts on the continent.”

The bulk of the bank’s grant financing for this operation, about $26.03 million, would help to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to respond to public health emergencies across the continent, while the balance of $1.37 million, would be a contribution to the AU COVID-19 Response Fund.

The two grants, from the bank’s concessional window, the African Development Fund, and the Transition Support Facility, would support the implementation of Africa CDC’s COVID-19 Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan through strengthening surveillance at various points of entry (air, sea, and land) in African countries; building sub-regional and national capacity for epidemiological surveillance; and ensuring the availability of personal protective equipment for frontline workers deployed in hotspots and testing materials.

The operation would also facilitate collection of gender-disaggregated data and adequate staffing for Africa CDC’s emergency operations center.

The approval came on the heels of a meeting of the extended Bureau of the AU Conference of Heads of State and Government with Africa’s private sector on April 22, chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, who is the current chairperson of AU.

Adesina, who attended the meeting, pledged strong support for the AU COVID-19 initiative.

AU Bureau meeting called for contributions to the African Union’s COVID-19 Response Fund established by the AU Commission chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, in March 2020.

At the beginning of February 2020, only two reference laboratories in Senegal and South Africa could run tests for COVID-19 on the continent.

Africa CDC, working with governments, World Health Organisation (WHO), and several development partners and public health institutes, have increased this capacity to 44 countries.

Despite this progress, Africa’s testing capacity remains at less than 600 per one million people compared to 50,000 in Europe.

“Our response today and support to the African Union, is timely and will play a crucial role in helping Africa look inward for solutions to build resilience to this pandemic and future outbreaks,” said bank’s Acting Vice President, Agriculture and Human Development, Wambui Gichuri.

This support would complement various national and sub-regional operations financed by the African Development Bank under its COVID-19 Rapid Response Facility to support African countries contain and mitigate the impacts of the pandemic.

Idowu Sowunmi

July 28, 2020
COVID-19: Nigeria reopens secondary schools for SS3 students Aug 4

Baring any unforseen circumstance, secondary schools in the country would reopen as from August 4 for exit classes only (students in Senior Secondary 3).

Students would have two weeks within which to prepare for the forthcoming West African Examinations (WAEC) due to start on August 17.

These were some of the decisions unanimously agreed on Monday during a virtual consultative meeting between the Federal Ministry of Education, commissioners of education of the 36 states, the Nigerian Union of Teachers, (NUT), the proprietors of private schools, and chief executive officers of examination bodies.

The meeting agreed that “the exit classes should resume immediately after the Sallah break, from the 4th of August, 2020 to enable them prepare for the WAEC examinations scheduled to commence from the 17th of August, 2020,” said a statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Ben Bem Goong.

The meeting also resolved that a passionate appeal be made to the Federal Government through the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and public spirited Nigerians for assistance to schools across the country to enable them fast track preparations for a safe reopening, as agreed.

The statement added that another meeting would be convened tomorrow, Tuesday, between the Federal Ministry of Education and chief executive officers of examination bodies namely, NECO, NABTEB and NBAIS to harmonise their examination dates, noting that decisions reached at the meeting would be expeditiously conveyed to stakeholders by the Federal Ministry of Education.

Idowu Sowunmi

July 27, 2020
COVID-19: Nigeria extends phase-2 of eased lockdown by 1wk due to Sallah

The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended the second phase of easing COVID-19 lockdown regulations due to breach of guidelines and non-pharmaceutical measures put in place.

The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha made this known during the daily briefing on Monday.

Mustapha, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) expressed fear that: “Majority of Nigerians irrespective of status, creed and level of education continue to live in denial on the virulent nature of the virus and consistently breach the guidelines and non-pharmaceutical measures put in place”.

The SGF, who noted that the PTF, having reached an advanced stage of the process, has considered extending the second phase of eases of lockdown by one more week.

“Due to the upcoming Sallah (Eid El-Kabir) festivities which coincides with the expiration of the current phase it would be prudent to extend by one week, from 29th July, 2020 till Thursday 6th August, 2020. It has accordingly secured permission to retain the existing guidelines till that date.

“Our analysis has shown that people over 50 years of age especially those with underlying factors remain most at risk. This position is backed by the fact that 65% of fatalities recorded in Nigeria are in this category, Mustapha said.

I’m his advise to Nigerians, the PTF chairman said: “If you do not need to go outside your home, please stay indoors. Avoid large gatherings and observe all the measures.

“As we prepare for the Eid El Kabir celebration, we also want to urge all our Muslim Brothers and Sisters and indeed all Nigerians to continue to observe all measures, he said.

Recall that the first phase of the relaxed lockdown was extended by two weeks and elapsed midnight June 1. The second phase commenced on June 2 and was to elapse midnight, June 29. During the PTF briefing of that day, Mustapha announced that President Muhammau Buhari had approved that the Phase Two of the eased lockdown be extended by another four weeks with effect from Tuesday, June 30, 2020, through Midnight of Monday, 27 July, 2020.

Although, some of the regulations have been lifted, such as reopening of domestic flight operations and resumption of interstate travels, and state governments have modifications, the Phase Two of the eased lockdown are as follow:

The nationwide curfew of 10:00 P.M.
4:00 A.M. daily.

Healthcare workers and journalists are
exempted from this curfew.

Banks may resume normal working hours.

Government offices will be open between
9:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M. Monday – Friday.

The ban on interstate movement except for
agricultural produce, petroleum products,
manufactured goods, and essential services (now lifted).

All airports remain closed to domestic and
international travel, except for emergency
flights. (Domestic flight operations now
resumed).

The PTF is considering plans to reopen
airports for domestic flights by June 21, 2020 if proper protocols are put in place by the
aviation industry. (Now implemented).

Kano State is approved to enter phase one of eased lockdown.

Face masks or coverings are mandatory in
public settings and handwashing/sanitizing
practices must continue to be followed.

Ban on gatherings of more than 20 people
outside of a workplace.

Relaxation of restrictions on places of
worship based on guidelines issued by the
PTF and State governments.

By Tobiloba Kolawole

July 27, 2020
COVID-19: Sanwo-Olu explains N1m daily per patient

The Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State Government Thursday explained how it’s spending between N100,000 and N1 million daily on each of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) patient in the state.

Sanwo-Olu, speaking through his Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, at a media briefing, disclosed that for mild and moderate cases, Lagos State Government spends averagely about N100,000 daily.

He added that it costs the Sanwo-Olu administration between N500,000 and N1 million to manage a patient with a serious case.

While the commissioner explained that it would be extremely difficult to calculate the exact amount expends on each COVID-19 patient by the Sanwo-Olu administration to manage the deadly virus, he noted that what he provided was a rough estimate.

He said the estimated cost factored in treatment, cost of feeding, accommodation and the services provided by the healthcare givers, among others.

Meanwhile, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government has disclosed that it would disburse N100 million each to the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to boost their response against COVID-19.

This was disclosed on Thursday by the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, during the briefing by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

The minister explained that the funds would be made available to the states through the Regional Diseases Surveillance Enhancement (REDISSE) Project, saying REDISSE Project was initiated by the World Bank to cover all countries in the ECOWAS sub-region as a consequence of the 2014‒2015 West Africa Ebola crisis.

Lagos State Government also revealed that about 2,036 COVID-19 patients have not been picked from the community in the last two weeks, due to preference for home treatment, logistic issues, wrong information provided in their forms and inability to reach such patients because their phones were switched off.

The Sanwo-Olu administration has also reiterated that the use of Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kits for COVID-19 testing in Lagos remains illegal until the state could validate that the kits actually work.

Abayomi explained that RDT kits have a very high risk of giving false positive or negative results which could be traumatising for citizens.

“In the event that a false-positive result is given, a potentially negative person will be subjected to trauma, isolation and treatment like a positive patient. And in the event that a false negative is given, a potentially positive person is allowed to continue to roam freely in the community regardless of his positive status and as a result, the use of RDT kits is illegal until Lagos State can validate RDT kits that actually work,” the commissioner said.

He explained that the Sanwo-Olu administration had considered the use of RDT kits as part of the strategies to expand its testing capacity, but noted, however, that none of RDT kits submitted for validation passed the required test.

“In order to expand our testing capacity, we considered the use of RDT kits and to facilitate the quick validation of the RDT kits and reduce the barrier of entry for proposed manufacturers and suppliers of RDT kits, Mr. Governor paid the validation fees for the RDT kits.

“However, upon review of several RDT kits that were submitted for validation, we can report that none of the RDT kits passed the validation exercise,” Abayomi disclosed.

While noting that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has not declared any RDT kit useful for public use, Abayomi added that it’s also illegal for private health facilities to test or manage COVID-19 cases without proper accreditation and validation by the regulatory authorities.

“It has come to our attention that several laboratories and health facilities are testing and managing COVID patients without proper accreditation and validation by the regulatory authorities. Two laboratories were sealed as a result of this. We will continue to closely monitor all facilities that partake in these illegal activities and endanger the lives of all residents of Lagos State and instigate punitive measures to ensure they desist from such activities,” the commissioner said.

Disclosing that only seven private laboratories were already accredited by the Sanwo-Olu administration, he maintained that the second phase of accreditation and validation of laboratories would be conducted when the demand arises.

Abayomi added that Lagos State Government has also only accredited three private facilities and is currently in the process of accrediting more, including general practitioners and small clinics, that are interested in partaking in the soon to be launched community-based and home-based care programme.

“It is important to reiterate that the COVID-19 pandemic is a public health emergency and Lagos State Government has adopted a central planning approach to managing its response,” he noted.

Assuring that plans are in top gear by the Sanwo-Olu administration to scale up sample collection at the 20 local government areas to include the 37 local council development areas in order to improve the efficiency of sample collection in the community, Abayomi disclosed that residents would have access to free oxygen therapy at some of the centres, if required, while arrangements would be made to transfer such a person to a COVID-19 centre.

Abayomi hinted that Lagos State Government would in the next couple of days transition to the next phase of the COVID-19 response, which he referred to as the community-based care.

“Under the community-based care arrangement, we provide the opportunity for mild-to-moderate cases being managed and isolated at home in situations where this is allowed.

“However, our critical-to-severe cases will be continually managed in our COVID-19 isolation centres, where they will have the opportunity of the best treatment available,” the commissioner assured.

Stating that a date for the commencement of home-based care would be formally announced soon, Abayomi observed that vulnerable, elderly and severe-to-critically ill patients would be managed at the isolation centres to ensure that they receive the best possible care available.

Giving epidemiology statistics on COVID-19 cases in Lagos State, the commissioner said over 56,276 COVID-19 tests have been conducted so far, while the total number of positive cases stands at 13,543, pointing out that of the 2,476 COVID-19 patients admitted so far, 2,075 have been discharged to reunite with society after recovery.

Abayomi added that no fewer than 9,066 confirmed COVID-19 cases monitored in the communities by the COVID-19 Lagos response teams have either recovered or are positively responding to treatments, noting that 192 COVID-19 related deaths have been recorded in Lagos.

He disclosed that Eti-Osa Local Government has the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases with Eti-Osa, Alimosho, Kosofe, Ikeja and Oshodi accounting for 60 per cent of the total COVID-19 cases in Lagos State.

By Idowu Sowunmi

July 24, 2020
India records over 30,000 coronavirus deaths as US tops 4m cases

Official data reveals that Coronavirus death toll in India has now surpass number of fatalities in France on Friday with 30,601 deaths and nearly 50,000 new cases overnight.

According to AFP tally, the figure of coronavirus death in India is the sixth-biggest behind the US, Brazil, Britain, Mexico and Italy.

Having the third-highest caseload with almost 1.3 million infections, the country has in the past 24 hours recorded 740 new deaths from the virus and 49,310 fresh infections, health ministry revealed.

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But many experts say that with testing levels low, the extent of the pandemic across the world’s second-most populous country may be far worse than officially reported.

A antibody study commissioned by the government showed this week that almost a quarter of people in the capital New Delhi have had the virus — almost 40 times the official number.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government imposed one of the world’s strictest lockdowns in late March, but it has been steadily eased to lessen the devastating economic impact of the pandemic.

State governments have brought in fresh restrictions as cases soar in Bangalore and away from the big cities in Bihar, West Bengal, Kashmir and parts of Tamil Nadu.

Southern Kerala state, earlier hailed as a success story and which has already imposed partial restrictions, may decide on Monday to impose a full statewide lockdown, reports said.

In the United States the coronavirus pandemic hit grim new milestones on Thursday as cases topped four million and in Europe, three million, as fresh spikes from Belgium to Tokyo to Melbourne forced new restrictions on citizens.

While EU lawmakers combed through a huge aid package for their economies, the UN called for a basic income for the world’s poorest to help slow the spread of the pandemic, and the Red Cross warned of “massive” new migration caused by the economic devastation.

The United States, the hardest-hit country in the pandemic, added one million new cases in just over two weeks, according to a tracker maintained by Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 143,000 US deaths overall.

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The country has seen a coronavirus surge, particularly in southern and western states, as Texas, California, Alabama, Idaho and Florida all announced record one-day death tolls.

Meanwhile, the European continent now accounts for a fifth of the world’s more than 15 million cases and remains the hardest hit in terms of deaths, with 206,633 out of 627,307 worldwide.

A 750-billion-euro post-coronavirus recovery plan was hammered out at an EU summit this week, where fiscally rigid nations butted heads with hard-hit countries like Spain and Italy that have called for huge aid grants.

AFP

July 24, 2020