COVID-19 - The African Mirror

Aug

24

2020

WHO says children aged 12 and over should wear masks like adults

COVID-19

THE World Health Organization (WHO) said children aged 12 and over should wear masks to help tackle the COVID-19 pandemic under the same conditions as adults, while children between six and 11 should wear them on a risk-based approach. Children aged 12 and over should particularly wear a mask when a one-metre distance from others cannot be guaranteed and there is widespread transmission in the area, the WHO and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said in a document on the WHO website dated August 21. Whether children between six and 11 should wear masks depends on a number of…

Aug

23

2020

By The African Mirror

African leaders’ concerned with one million COVID-19 cases but happy with high recoveries

COVID-19

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER AFRICAN leaders have expressed concern over the number of COVID-19 cases across the continent has reached a million, with 26 000 recorded deaths. The worry of Africa’s heads of states and governments was communicated after an extraordinary meeting of the African Union (AU), convened by its chairperson, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa. Ramaphosa chaired the third teleconference Meeting of the Bureau of the Assembly of AU Heads of State and Government with Chairpersons of the AU Regional Economic Communities (RECs). Although concerned about the levels of COVID-19 on the African continent, the leaders welcomed the hight…

Aug

23

2020

By The African Mirror

Climate fund for poor nations vows to drive green COVID recovery

COVID-19

MEGAN ROWLING THE Green Climate Fund has promised developing nations it will ramp up efforts to help them tackle climate challenges as they strive to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, approving $879 million in backing for 15 new projects around the world. At a four-day virtual board meeting ending late Friday, the fund added Afghanistan and Sudan to a list of more than 100 countries receiving a total of $6.2 billion to reduce planet-heating emissions and enhance climate resilience. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) was set up under U.N. climate talks in 2010 to help developing nations tackle global warming,…

Aug

23

2020

By The African Mirror

Zambia’s COVID-19 home-based care relieves health facilities

COVID-19

SHORTLY after Zambia reported its first cases of COVID-19 in March 2020, the country’s National Public Health Institute launched intensive, targeted screenings for cases in high-risk populations and locations. In Nakonde, a town on the border with Tanzania, the screenings revealed a huge number of infections. “We recorded 400 cases in three days and knew hospital capacity in the area would not be able to handle so many patients at a time,” says Dr Paul Zulu, an infectious disease specialist and the national Incident Manager for COVID-19. “We had to take immediate measures or face severe overstretching of our hospitals.…

Aug

22

2020

By The African Mirror

Tunisia imposes curfew in two southern towns to counter coronavirus

COVID-19

TUNISIA has imposed a 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew in two southern towns to help contain a renewed coronavirus outbreak, the state news agency TAP said. The North African nation is seeking to counter a second spread of COVID-19 evident since it reopened its borders on June 27 as part of steps to ease a lockdown and revive the economy, particularly the vital tourist industry. Since then, however, Tunisia has recorded a major resurgence of infections, exceeding 100 per day over the last two weeks. The curfew in the towns of Hamma and Hamma Gharbia will remain in effect…

Aug

22

2020

By The African Mirror

Morocco may reimpose full lockdown as COVID-19 cases surge – King

COVID-19

MORROCO could return to a complete coronavirus lockdown as cases continue to spike, Moroccan King Mohammed VI said, warning of severe economic repercussions. The warning came as a jump in infections in the once-bustling tourist hub of Marrakech strained health services and led to protests by medical staff in recent days. New cases nationally have surged to more than 1,000 a day since Morocco lifted a strict three-month-long lockdown in late June and hit a record high of 1,766 on August 15. "If figures continue to increase, the COVID-19 Scientific Committee may recommend another lockdown, perhaps with even tighter restrictions,"…

Aug

21

2020

By The African Mirror

Doctors strike in Nairobi over pay, lack of COVID protection

COVID-19

GEORGE OBULUTSA and BAZ RATNER DOCTORS in most public hospitals in Kenya's capital have gone on strike to protest against delayed salaries and a lack of protective equipment when handling patients who may have COVID-19. The strike began at midnight, said Thuranira Kaugiria, secretary-general for the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union. He said 320 doctors employed by the Nairobi County government were taking part in the strike because they had inadequate health insurance, poor quality protective gear and too few isolation wards to treat COVID-19 patients. The strike will not affect private hospitals and public hospitals within Nairobi…

Aug

31

2020

By The African Mirror

Schools to reopen in Nigeria’s Lagos as COVID-19 cases decline

COVID-19

SCHOOLS will reopen in Nigeria's commercial hub of Lagos next month as part of plans to revive the economy as COVID-19 cases decline, the state governor has announced. Lagos, the epicentre of the pandemic in Nigeria, plans to reopen colleges on September 14, and primary and secondary school schools on September 21, Babajide Sanwo-Olu said. "The gradual easing doesn't mean the pandemic is over," he said in a tweet. "It is not an invitation to carelessness or nonchalance." The Lagos governor said restaurants, social clubs and recreational centers would also be allowed to reopen as long as they followed safety…

Sep

01

2020

By The African Mirror

With borders closed, South Africa pins hopes on cash-strapped local tourists

COVID-19

WENDELL ROELF LISA Krohn’s Ashanti Lodge in Cape Town - normally abuzz with backpackers from around the world - today sits largely empty, a sign of how the pandemic has crushed South Africa’s tourist industry. “This place is like a morgue,” she said, contemplating the Victorian-era building’s deserted foyer. Following a five-month lockdown, South Africa is easing domestic travel restrictions, allowing hotels to reopen. With international borders still closed, the government is pinning its hopes on domestic tourism, echoing a strategy being tried from Vietnam to New Zealand with mixed results. South Africa remains among the countries hardest hit by…

Sep

01

2020

By The African Mirror

Locked out by COVID, refugees’ lives on hold

COVID-19

EDWARD MCALLISTER WHEN Michelle Alfaro left her office at the United Nations in Geneva on March 13, her job finding homes for the world’s most vulnerable refugees was under control. Four days later, the new coronavirus had knocked it into chaos. Governments across the world announced border closures, lockdowns and flight cancellations. The United Nations was forced to suspend the programme. “Everything collapsed that week,” said Alfaro, who manages resettlements for the U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR. Millions of people have been thrown into limbo by the new coronavirus. Those Alfaro works with had been promised escape from war, violence, conflict…