Amid coronavirus, Nigeria records 176 deaths from Lassa fever outbreak

ABUJA, March 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Amidst the burden from COVID-19, Nigeria has recorded three new deaths from Lassa fever, bringing the total number of deaths in the country to 176 since the outbreak in January. This was contained in the latest Lassa fever situation report published by the Nigeria Centre…

Covid-19: Woman quarantined in “deplorable conditions” kills herself in Kenya

NAIROBI, March 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Kenyan media report that a woman who was being quarantined in the western city of Nakuru has taken her own life. Health workers found her dead at the Kenya Industrial Training Institute facility where she was being held, having apparently hung herself, local media say.…

Covid-19: Virus-free Lesotho, Zimbabwe announce lockdowns, South Africa enforces curfew

MASERU, March 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Despite being among Africa’s virus-free nations, Lesotho Prime Minister Tom Thabane, has announced a lockdown starting from Saturday, March 28. The Mountain Kingdom landlocked by South Africa has not recorded any confirmed COVID-19 cases. It relies on South Africa to help with testing as it…

Covid-19: Virus-free Sierra Leone shuts borders after Guinea, Liberia closures

FREETOWN, March 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Virus-free Sierra Leone announced closure of its borders for a 30-day period barely days after President Julius Maada Bio announced a state of public health emergency. According to reports, the measure was to keep out the coronavirus which has engulfed all of West Africa except…

Covid-19 shakes up politicians across Africa

ABIDJAN, March 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — With Botswana’s head of state and Ivory Coast’s prime minister in self-quarantine and many government ministers infected across the continent, African politicians have suddenly found themselves on the coronavirus front line. Ivory Coast Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly, who plans to stand in a presidential…

Covid-19: Spain death toll hits 4,858 as 769 die in 24 hours – record one-day figure

MADRID, March 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The death toll in Spain soared over 4,800 Friday after 769 people died in 24 hours, in what was a record one-day figure for fatalities in the country, the government said. Spain has the world’s second-highest death toll after Italy, and has so far suffered…

Covid-19: Italy records almost 1,000 deaths in one-day record

ROME, March 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Italy recorded a shocking spike in coronavirus deaths Friday with 969 new victims, the worst daily record for any country since the pandemic began. The infection rate however continued its downward trend, with the civil protection agency reporting nearly 86,500 confirmed cases in Italy —…

Covid-19: British PM Johnson tests positive

LONDON, March 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Friday that he is self-isolating after testing positive for COVID-19. “Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus,” he said on Twitter, posting a video message. “I am now self-isolating, but…

Covid-19: Brazilian House approves emergency income for citizens in need

RIO DE JANEIRO, March 27 (NNN-Xinhua) — Brazil’s House of Representatives on Thursday approved a bill to provide a minimum income to citizens in need to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. Citizens who are unemployed, hold informal jobs or are self-employed, and on a low income are entitled to the relief…

Russian Pres Putin urges G20 to lift sanctions on essential goods due to COVID-19

Russian President Vladimir Putin MOSCOW, March 27 (NNN-Xinhua) — Russian President Vladimir Putin urged the leaders of the Group of 20 (G20) to lift all sanctions on supplies of essential goods until the COVID-19 pandemic is under control. “It is important for the period of crisis to create the so-called…