Category: Uncategorized

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has decided to expand the state of emergency over the coronavirus to nationwide in an effort to curb its further spread, Xinhua news agency cited public broadcaster NHK as saying Thursday.

On April 7, Japan declared a state of emergency over the coronavirus crisis for seven of the nation’s 47 prefectures.

The prefectures covered by the declaration at the time were Tokyo, Osaka, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Hyogo and Fukuoka prefectures.

The declaration better empowers those prefectures’ governors to take enhanced measures to curb the spread of the virus.

Read Also: WHO confirms no evidence coronavirus was made in a lab – China

But other prefectures’ governors have vehemently been calling to be added to the list, as the virus continues to spread elsewhere in the country.

Some prefectures, meanwhile, have taken matters into their own hands and issued their own state of emergency independent of the central government.

As with those under the emergency declaration, they have also asked their residents to take various precautionary measures, such as working from home, avoiding crowded areas and reducing social contact by up to 80 per cent, in a bid to prevent the virus’ spread.

(www.newsnow.co.uk)

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Afghanistan has reached 840 as of Thursday morning, with 56 new cases reported within the last 24 hours, a public health official said.

“A total of 56 COVID-19 new cases were detected in Afghanistan within the last 24 hours.

Thirty-seven new cases are in Kabul province, 11 in western Herat, six in Balkh and two in Nangarhar provinces,’’ Wahidullah Mayar, spokesman of Ministry of Public Health, told reporters at a press briefing.

Providing the daily updates, the official added that one patient had died in Kabul during the period, bringing to 30 the confirmed death toll in Afghanistan.

Read Also; Nigeria was sick before COVID-19

“During the last 24 hours, 10 patients recovered and were discharged from a hospital in Kabul.

“Now, the number of people recovering for the coronavirus disease stands at 54 across the country,’’ Mayar noted.

To contain the pandemic, the government has put big cities under quarantine since late last month, calling on people to remain at home and avoid unnecessary street walks and travelling. (Xinhua/NAN)

 

The Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State has postponed its convocation scheduled for April 29 and 30 till further notice.

A statement by the institution’s registrar, Mr Omololu Adegbenro, noted that the graduation was postponed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It reads: “Following the Coronavirus Pandemic that is currently ravaging the entire world, the Governing Council of Elizade University, Ilara Mokin, Ondo State has postponed the institution’s Fourth Convocation Ceremony, scheduled to hold on Thursday, 29th and Friday, 30th April, 2020 until further notice. “

The Registrar prayed for an early end to the pandemic, urging all members of the University community to keep safe wherever they are.

 

By Olabisi Salau

 

The Union of Campus Journalists Alumni Association of the University of Ibadan has urged Nigerians to show compassion during this period of Coronavirus pandemic.

Its National President, Dr. Adebayo Ajala, said in a statement,  that they should be courteous, show utmost compassion to fellow human beings.

He said the union decried inflation of prices of food items without consideration at such a sensitive time and the overbearing attitude of security agents.

“It is also inhuman for security agents to impound vehicles bringing food and agricultural materials to the people for contravening the ‘sit at home’ order; we also implore the security agents to perform their functions with the milk of humanity.

Caning, slapping, whipping of Nigerians for contravening the stay at home order should be reviewed.  Though we do not encourage indiscipline, we urge them to conduct these affairs with the milk of kindness expected during this trying period” Ajala said.

The National SSecretary, Mr. Folarami Salau, urged Nigerians to rally round one another morally and financially in friendship as families, communities, associations and governments at all levels come together to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Together in unity, love and humanity we can win,” he said.

 

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

 

UK-based non-profit,Universal Learning Solutions, has launched the  Nigerians Educate Everywhere at a Distance project (NEED) in response to the call by the Universal Basic Education Commission, (UBEC) for states to develop programmes to ensure that young learners are learning at home whilst schools are closed.

Universal Learning Solutions and UBEC deliver Africa’s largest and most effective English literacy programme in Nigeria – Jolly Phonics.

This usually focuses on providing face to face training and support to Nigerian government school primary school teachers using this fun and effective English literacy method, which has been proven to dramatically raise Early Grade literacy levels in Nigeria and globally.

However, the organisation has rapidly changed its approach due to the COVID-19 situation and has created a range of free distance learning solutions that can be accessed in a variety of ways.

As soon as school closure was announced, Universal Learning Solutions produced a 50-episode Jolly Phonics TV Lessons series to directly benefit Nigerian children; Nigerian Jolly Phonics trainers recorded a 42-part radio show for the North and South of the country and a free Jolly Phonics Apps and Africa-based Story Reading Apps have been made available on a dedicated website – www.jollphonics.ng – where all the audio, video and App content can be accessed. There are also a range of free worksheets and activities to keep children occupied in the home.

For families with no electricity, Universal Learning Solutions will be sending SMS messages to as many parents as possible including a full Jolly Phonics lessons course, developed in bite-sized chunks for parents.

Read Also: COVID-19: Buhari urged to ban foreign medical trips for one year

 

Already State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) in Zamfara, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Abia, Anambra, Jigawa,  Niger, Lagos, Benue, Adamawa, Kebbi, Yobe, Ebonyi Nasarrawa and Ekiti states  are embracing the project through airing the radio show  or television lesson on a range of stations.

The Kaduna SUBEB Chairman, Abdullahi Sani, highlighted the benefits of Jolly Phonics in his introduction to the radio broadcast saying; “Jolly Phonics is a fun and multisensory programme for teaching young learners how to read and write with confidence.

It is packed with activities that children  love. They feel like they are playing, yet they are learning. As it helps to read words in English, it also helps them learn how to read Hausa words.”

CEO, Universal Learning Solutions, Gary Foxcroft, said: ‘The NEED project has been developed quickly as part of our response to the Covid-19 crisis. We wish to implore all state government and wider development partners to work with us to promote this Jolly Phonics distance learning programme and enable children to access the right to literacy from home.

All resources are available for free on the website – www.jollyphonics.ng – and we wish to thank UBEC, who are presiding over this project, for making this possible.”

Cranfield University, a specialist postgraduate university situated in the UK, specialises in science, engineering, technology and management.

Cranfield Energy and Power is dedicated to training students to become leaders in the energy sector that would facilitate change, address the continuous use of carbon and create new forms of energy to replace fossil fuel use amongst others.

According to the University’s representative for sub-Saharan Africa, Mrs Ifeanyi Udofia: “Cranfield University has a longstanding reputation for training professionals in the energy industry. Our postgraduate degree courses form an extensive portfolio covering all aspects of the diverse, modern energy sector and our full-time postgraduate degrees in energy and power are ideal for ambitious graduates and professionals from Africa and across the globe.

In line with providing students with the best experience, Cranfield has close links with leading oil and gas companies, which offers a broad outlook into the oil and gas sector, providing learners with a dynamic environment, and an avenue for growth whilst preparing graduates for the next step in their career.

Cranfield Energy and Power welcomes applications from sub-Saharan students for the following courses in 2020:

• Advanced Chemical Engineering
• Advanced Mechanical Engineering
• Energy Informatics
• Energy Systems and Thermal Processes
• Offshore Engineering
• Advanced Process Engineering
• Renewable Energy

The University also offers an MBA Energy course that combines expertise in energy and power with the School of Management’s worldwide reputation in leadership development.

Cranfield has unrivalled links with industry, and students benefit from extensive contacts and a track record of close collaboration with government and the energy and power sector in the form of industrial advisory panels and project sponsors.

The University offers a series of funding opportunities to international students, which can easily be accessed on the Cranfield funding finder page which provides a searchable database of sources of financial support.

Visit www.cranfield.ac.uk/energyandpower for more.

Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan

No fewer than 19 doctors are on quarantine in the South West states, the Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors Southwest Caucus has stated.

The Association also decried what it described “increasing reports of information hoarding and denial of symptoms” by patients and their relatives especially as regards their traveling history and other important symptoms of COVID-19 thereby increasing the risk of exposure of doctors to the disease.”

The group spoke in a statement by Dr Sebastine Oiwoh and Dr Taofeek Sanni, Caucus leader and Deputy Caucus leader respectively on Monday.

The Association said it believed that the situation that led to the infection of the doctors who were on duty call was avoidable if the needful had been done by the authorities, patients and relations concerned.

The Southwest NARD also expressed optimism that the unified effort and cooperation that saw the country successfully defeat Ebola Virus Disease epidemic in 2014 will also pay off this time around too.

According to the doctors, what worsened the situation is the continuous inadequate provision of necessary Personal Protective Equipment by Hospital Management.

They noted that while some hospitals don’t readily make the PPE available, others claimed unavailability due to poor funding by the Government to the teaching hospitals in the fight against the scourge.

NARD warned if such act was not quickly addressed, it could threaten the wellbeing of her members who are in the frontline of attending to all forms of patients who present at the hospitals.

The statement reads in part: “The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) Southwest Caucus commends the efforts of our members, other healthcare workers, the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Governments at various levels and the good people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the indomitable effort and zeal at combating the global surge and pandemic of COVID-19.

“This unified effort and cooperation saw us successfully defeated Ebola Virus Disease epidemic in 2014 and it is our hope and prayer that it shall pay off this time around too.

“The Association is closely monitoring happenings in the country especially our tertiary health institutions in relation to the COVID -19 pandemic spread and management.

“According to NCDC report, out of the total numbers of confirmed cases and deaths in the country as at 12th April, 2020, the region accounts for 67.5 percent of the cases (218 out of 323) and 50 percent of death (5 out of 10). No state in the region is presently spared of the virus.

“We are aware of the increasing reports of information hoarding and denial of symptoms by patients and their relatives especially as regards their traveling history and other important symptoms of COVID-19 thereby increasing the risk of exposure of our members to the disease.

“Worsening the situation is the continuous inadequate provision of necessary Personal Protective Equipment by Hospital Management. With reports that some hospitals don’t readily make these available, others claimed unavailability due to poor funding by the Government to the Teaching Hospitals in the fight against this scourge.

“These acts could further threaten the wellbeing of our members who are in the frontline of attending to all forms of patients who present at the Hospitals.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: Niger traces, quarantines 53 contacts of confirmed case

“The Association noted with concern the increasing numbers of our members who are now in quarantine (currently about 19 members) due to exposure to COVID-19 infection in various tertiary health institutions in this region. This we believe was avoidable if the needful has been done by those authorities, patients and relations concerned.

“We are surprised with the various form of intimidation and harassment of our members in the line of duty by some overzealous law enforcement agents during this lockdown period despite being exempted by the President Federal Republic of Nigeria in line with the need to continue the provision of essential services during the sit at home period especially in Lagos and of recent Osun state.

“Members of the public will continue to need various medical services aside COVID-19 treatment during this period in both public and private hospitals.

“The Association commends and appreciates the efforts of our leaders in various local chapters in ensuring the safety of our members and adequate supply of needed Personal Protective Equipment during this trying period. It is only safe to say our safety and wellbeing is most paramount in the care of our patients as enshrined in our Physician’s pledge.

“The Association is also optimistic of the various efforts being made by NMA and NARD in ensuring the fulfillment of plans by the Governments to increase considerably the present meager monthly five thousand naira hazard allowance being paid our members and all other healthcare workers in the face of various infectious diseases like COVID-19, Lassa fever etc.

“And we must remind us that Lassa fever has killed more people in 2020 than COVID-19 has hence emphasizing the difficult terrain our members have to work daily to keep the society safe.

“The Association shall continue to monitor events as they unfold and shall not hesitate to take the needed necessary action when due.

“We want to reassure our members all over our tertiary health facilities of our commitment to their welfare especially during this turbulent period and we appeal to us all to remain calm even in the presence of these numerous provocations.”

One-third of all NHS staff and key workers in the UK have tested positive for coronavirus, new data has shown.

Of the almost 17,000 tests carried out on critical workers, 5,733 have come back positive, meaning the rate currently stands at 33 per cent.

The general rate of infection among the rest of the population has so far come back at 23 per cent.

The news comes as the government faces louder calls to ensure NHS workers get sufficient Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

It has also been reported that some nurses have been told to refuse to work as a “last measure” if they have not been given adequate PPE.

An RCN spokesman stressed that nurses should only refuse to work if they “have exhausted all other measures to reduce the risk” of catching COVID-19.

Some others have resorted to making their own PPE out of items such as bin bags in an attempt to avoid catching COVID-19.

Three hero nurses in Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow, north London, recently tested positive for the virus after having to resort to such measures.

NHS staff members and their families are now able to get testing at drive-thru centres around the UK, and around 2,500 are now getting tested every day.

Read Also; COVID-19: Spain ‘reaches peak’ as deaths surpass 18,000

The testing for key workers was brought in on 25 March – two months after people from infected countries could begin getting swabs.

But it is feared the measures are too little, too late, as multiple members of the healthcare community have died from the virus.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has previously promised to increase the number of tests to 100,000 each day by the end of April, but so far no more than 15,000 have been carried out each day, raising questions on whether the government will be able to attain this target.

On testing, Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey told LBC she was “confident” that number is attainable.

She added: “We are working at pace and the same is true with testing – we are increasing the capacity, we are increasing it daily, but I appreciate we still need to reach that target of 100,000 set by the Government by the end of this month and that’s why many laboratories are being opened up so we can reach that target.”

Figures released today have shown around 10 per cent of nurses in the country are currently off work during the crisis.

Data from the COVID-19 national operational dashboard from Saturday, seen by the Health Service Journal, show that across English acute trusts there were 28,063 COVID-19-related absences reported among nurses and midwives – 10 per cent of a headcount of around 280,000.

This could include staff that has symptoms themselves or those who are in isolation due to someone in their home showing signs of illness.

(www.newsnow.co.uk)

While Spain’s official death toll jumped by 567 to 18,056 on Tuesday, the number of new contagions reached an unprecedented level since March 20.

On Monday, Spain’s Health Minister Salvador Illa said the recent data confirms that Spain has overcome the most acute part of the crisis.

“We’ve reached the peak and the goal this week is to reach the next phase,” he said.

The next milestone will be reaching the number of recovered cases outpacing new infections — something that has not happened since the beginning of the crisis.

Today, with 3,045 new contagions and 2,777 people recovering, the country is getting tantalizingly close to that goal. In total, 172,541 people have been diagnosed with the disease and 67,504 have recovered in Spain.

Testing will play a major role in containment and the government will soon launch an epidemiological study, taking samples from 62,400 people around the country, to try to determine the extent of the infection.

Currently, only essential workers or people with severe symptoms who need to be hospitalized are able to get a test.

Last night, the government also decreed that all private laboratories will now be at the disposal of the country’s various regional governments to carry out COVID-19 testing.

Read Also: COVID-19: China approves two vaccines for clinical trials

Spain remains under a strict lockdown, but on Monday millions of non-essential workers were allowed to return to their jobs in sectors like manufacturing and construction.

Monday was a holiday in several parts of Spain, so on Tuesday; regions like Catalonia are seeing workers back on the job for the first time in weeks.

The virus has spread to 185 countries, infecting more than 1.92 million people since first emerging in Wuhan, China late last year. The global death toll is over 119,800, while more than 458,500 people have recovered.

(www.newsnow.co.uk)