Geneva, Switzerland | AFP | The global death toll from the new coronavirus topped 3,000 on Monday, as airlines cancelled or reduced flights and stock markets swung wildly. Andorra, the Czech Republic, Indonesia, Jordan, Latvia, Portugal, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia were among countries that confirmed their first cases, along with Senegal, …
Read More »Pope ‘tests negative for coronavirus’: report
Vatican City, Holy See | AFP | Pope Francis, who is suffering from a cold, has tested negative for the coronavirus, an Italian newspaper reported Tuesday, as Italy battles Europe’s worst outbreak. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni did not respond to a request for comment on the report in the Messaggero newspaper. Francis cancelled a Lent …
Read More »Handshake? No thanks: coronavirus changes global habits
Paris, France | AFP | Say no to a handshake, refuse every peck on the cheek and definitely avoid hugging. Instead, try a direct gaze, or maybe a hand gesture. Around the world people are changing their habits at work, home and in worship to reduce the risk of contracting the …
Read More »‘They’re the virus’: Iraq outbreak refuels anti-govt protests
Baghdad, Iraq | AFP | Iraqi protesters had been rallying against government incompetence, poor public services and foreign political meddling for months. Then the novel coronavirus hit and fuelled their grievances. “The real virus is Iraqi politicians,” said Fatima, an 18-year-old protester and medical student from Baghdad. “We are immune to …
Read More »Countries with weak health care systems get emergency aid to fight coronavirus
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The United Nation’s Central Emergency Fund has released USD 15 million to fund vulnerable countries with weak health care systems to contain the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. The announcement came as the World Health Organization (WHO) upgraded the global risk of the coronavirus outbreak …
Read More »Tests on isolated foreigners negative, Uganda still free of COVID-19
Entebbe, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Results from the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) indicate that the four foreign national isolated after presenting flu and cough symptoms yesterday, do not have the dreaded COVID-19. Minister of Health Ruth Aceng reported the negative test results Monday for a French national and …
Read More »Trump aides defend US coronavirus response
Washington, United States | AFP | Vice President Mike Pence defended Sunday the US administration’s handling of the coronavirus epidemic after two confirmed deaths on American soil and rising criticism of the state of US preparedness. Pence and Health Secretary Alex Azar made the rounds of Sunday talk shows with the …
Read More »Blip or bust: coronavirus economic impact still in doubt
Paris, France | AFP | Markets have shuddered as the coronavirus spreads worldwide, but analysts doubt it will plunge economies into a crisis like the one that followed the 2008 Lehman Brothers investment bank failure. Where will the market slide end? Stock markets held up fairly well in the first weeks …
Read More »Museveni speaks out on Coronavirus prevention
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | President Yoweri Museveni has urged Ugandans to take precaution and protect themselves against the deadly COVID-19 alias coronavirus. In a message posted on twitter on Saturday afternoon, Museveni urged Ugandans to take personal precaution and mainly wash hands as a preventive measure, as …
Read More »Nigeria braces as coronavirus hits megacity Lagos
Lagos, Nigeria | AFP | Residents of Nigeria’s economic hub Lagos scrambled for hygiene products Friday, after the chaotic megacity of 20 million announced the first confirmed case of new coronavirus in sub-Saharan Africa. Health Minister Osagie Ehanire said in a statement overnight that the infected person was an Italian citizen …
Read More »