Epidemics Tracker

Sanaa, Yemen | AFP |  While many of the world’s markets have closed to curb the spread of coronavirus, in Yemen’s capital Sanaa, downtown districts selling qat — the ubiquitous mild narcotic — still bustle with people. Flouting social distancing rules, Yemenis jostle to select bunches of the chewable leaf from …

Arua, Uganda |  THE INDEPENDENT |  The Minister of health, Dr. Ruth Achieng has asked hotel owners in Arua to accommodate health workers managing the the Coronavirus (COVID -19) situation in the district.  While addressing leaders and health officials during a spot COVID -19 status visit to Arua on Friday, Dr. …

Athens, Greece | AFP |  Ten years after sinking into its worst economic crisis in living memory, Greece once again faces the spectre of a grave recession in the midst of a global coronavirus lockdown. Though the country has so far been spared the death toll of other European nations at …

Havana, Cuba | AFP |  Workers of the world scaled back their traditional May Day demos Friday with coronavirus lockdowns forcing many to rally online while a determined few hit the streets in face masks. There were arrests in the Philippines, Russia, Chile and Turkey, a riot in Indonesia and pepper …

Los Angeles, United States | AFP |  Protesters marched in several cities across California on Friday demanding the easing of restrictions due to the coronavirus outbreak and denouncing Governor Gavin Newsom’s decision to shut down some beaches. The protests were taking place in at least 11 cities, including the capital Sacramento …

Washington, United States | AFP | Commonly used blood pressure medicines do not heighten susceptibility to COVID-19 infection, or increase the risk of becoming seriously ill with the disease, three major studies said Friday, positive news for the millions of people who take them. The research primarily concerned angiotensin-converting–enzyme (ACE) inhibitors …

Kampala, Uganda |  THE INDEPENDENT |  As countries around the world start lifting COVID-19 lockdowns that were instituted to forestall the spread of the pandemic, Global Education Partners-GPE are calling upon for implementing new measures that will keep learners safe in schools.  Some of the measure that governments are being asked …

Washington, United States | AFP |  More US states eased pandemic lockdown measures on Friday even as coronavirus deaths rose, while American authorities greenlighted an experimental drug for emergency use on patients. Washington also renewed its warnings to Beijing a day after President Donald Trump threatened to slap tariffs on China, …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | These are the top stories in this week’s THE INDEPENDENT. COVER STORY Rebecca Kadaga vs Yoweri Museveni: It is not just about money THE LAST WORD In defense of Shs 10 billion for MPs : Why Kadaga is right and Museveni is wrong about the …

Geneva, Switzerland | AFP | The World Health Organization said Friday it hoped China would invite it to take part in its investigations into the animal origins of the novel coronavirus. “WHO would be keen to work with international partners and at the invitation of the Chinese government to participate in …