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English Premier League & Australia’s A League Season Set to Resume | #COVID19 Updates
182 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in Nigeria
182 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in Nigeria, on Thursday. According to The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), 111 cases were recorded in Lagos, 16 in FCT, 10 in Akwa Ibom, 8 in Oyo, 6 in Kaduna, 6 in Rivers, 5 in Ogun, 4 in Ebonyi, 3 in Kano, 2 in Plateau, 2 in Gombe, 2 in Kwara, 1 in Kebbi, 1 in Bauchi and 1 in Borno State.
In total, Nigeria has recorded 8915 cases of COVID-19. 2592 patients have been discharged from various Isolation centers across the country, while 259 deaths have been recorded.
182 new cases of #COVID19;
Lagos-111
FCT-16
Akwa Ibom-10
Oyo-8
Kaduna-6
Delta-6
Rivers-5
Ogun-4
Ebonyi-4
Kano-3
Plateau-2
Gombe-2
Kebbi-1
Kwara-2
Bauchi-1
Borno-18915 cases of #COVID19Nigeria
Discharged: 2592
Deaths: 259 pic.twitter.com/j23D8XfjOk— NCDC (@NCDCgov) May 28, 2020
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Africa’s COVID-19 cases hit 123,000
The World Health Organisation reported on Thursday that COVID-19 cases in Africa as of May 26 had risen to over 123, 000.
The WHO Regional Office for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo, gave the update on its official twitter handle. The figures show that South Africa, Algeria, and Nigeria have the highest reported cases on the continent.
Over 123,000 confirmed #COVID19 cases on the African continent – with more than 50,000 recoveries & 3,600 deaths. View country figures & more with the WHO African Region COVID-19 Dashboard: https://t.co/V0fkK8dYTg pic.twitter.com/Bcjcya67En
— WHO African Region (@WHOAFRO) May 28, 2020
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Ogun state eases lockdown and declares weekends a total lockdown
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has eased the lockdown in the state. He declared the weekdays – Mondays to Fridays, free for movement and business activities between 6 am and 8 pm.
Saturdays and Sundays, according to him, would be observed as a total lockdown henceforth. The new eased lockdown, Abiodun added, takes effect from Monday, June 1st. The Governor made this known on Thursday evening at the Governor’s Office while addressing newsmen.
These violations have been reflected in the 2nd phase of the lockdown easing, which as I indicated in my last briefing, begins on Monday, 1st June, 2020, as advised by our science professionals, statistics and feedback.
— Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun – MFR (@dabiodunMFR) May 28, 2020
The 2nd phase of the lockdown easing will be guided by the following, in line with the extant guidelines of the COVID-19 PTF, being that Ogun State is affected by the FG’s lockdown directive:
— Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun – MFR (@dabiodunMFR) May 28, 2020
A. Relaxation windows will now be observed on all 5 working days (Monday to Friday), but the FG-directed curfew from 8pm (night) to 6am (morning) remains in place on these days. Total lockdown will be maintained on Saturday and Sunday.
— Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun – MFR (@dabiodunMFR) May 28, 2020
B. Extant restrictions and advisories remain in place on interstate travels, wearing of facemasks, public transport, markets, religious centres, restaurants and other relaxation spots.
— Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun – MFR (@dabiodunMFR) May 28, 2020
This implies that all forms of gatherings (social or religious) of more than 20 people remain banned.
— Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun – MFR (@dabiodunMFR) May 28, 2020
C. Industries are advised to comply with the “Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines for
Workplaces in Ogun State to Combat COVID-19” jointly issued by the Ministries of Health, and Industry, Trade and Investments.— Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun – MFR (@dabiodunMFR) May 28, 2020
A Task Force we have now set up will be conducting random checks on industries and other enterprises to ascertain compliance.
— Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun – MFR (@dabiodunMFR) May 28, 2020
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NCDC boss reacts after Kogi state government dismissed two reported cases of COVID19 in the state
Chikwe Ihekweazu, the Director-General of the NCDC, has reacted following the Kogi state government’s dismissal of the two COVID19 cases that the NCDC recorded against the state on Wednesday.
The NCDC in the results released on Wednesday night announced that Kogi state which hitherto had no confirmed case now has two cases.
The state Commissioner for Health, Saka Haruna-Audu, in a statement, dismissed the results, saying the state has conducted hundreds of tests for COVID19 and all have returned negative. The Commissioner said the state will not bow to pressures from anyone to accept fictitious results as the state government only recognizes tests conducted in the state by the Ministry of Health.
However at the daily press briefing of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID19 in Abuja earlier today, the NCDC boss dismissed the claims made by the Kogi state government. He said there is no confusion about the cases because the reference address given by the patients is Kogi state
‘There is actually no dilemma in the two cases. They followed absolutely normal practice. The patient that was referred from the Federal Medical Center to the National Hospital. This is a normal referral pathway when you have a case. They physicians in the National Hospital suspected COVID19 from the clinical symptoms of the patient, asked for a test, it came out positive. The individual lives in Kogi state.
Your public health response is based on where you live because that is where your contacts are so this is not controversial in anyway. Standard practice was followed. Once the results came out, the state epidiemiologist was informed that he has to do contact tracing around this patient. It is the state’s responsibility to do that contact tracing. So we hope they do it” he said
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Premier League planning to restart season on June 17
The Premier League plans to restart on June 17 after a 100-day shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic, with new kickoff times to make sure every game can be shown on TV as fans are prevented from attending games.
According to CBC, the clubs agreed on Thursday that the competition should resume with a Wednesday night doubleheader featuring Manchester City playing Arsenal and Aston Villa hosting Sheffield United, two games that were postponed during earlier rounds due to the coronavirus.
However, the league still needs formal approval from the government as lockdown measures are gradually eased.
? 17.06.2020
Premier League Shareholders today agreed to a new provisional restart date for the 2019/20 season of Wednesday 17 June, provided that all safety requirements are in place
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 28, 2020
#PL Shareholders also approved a proposal that would see all 92 remaining matches broadcast live in the UK by the League’s existing broadcast partners
Full statement: https://t.co/RAY1idO9sH pic.twitter.com/4NXRsw2XBL
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 28, 2020
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The US reported more than 21,700 cases today
The US reported 21,760 new cases of coronavirus and 1,174 related deaths today, according to Johns Hopkins University coronavirus tracker.
That brings the national tally to at least 1,721,753 cases and 101,616 deaths. The totals include cases from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and other US territories, as well as repatriated cases.
New York is the hardest-hit state, with 366,733 cases and 29,529 deaths. New Jersey, Illinois, and California followed.
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Boston Marathon Canceled for the first time in 124 years
The Boston Marathon was canceled for the first time in its 124-year history, officials announced on Thursday, as the spread of the coronavirus made clear that earlier plans to postpone the race until September were too optimistic.
The race the most prestigious marathon in the United States has been held annually since 1897, even amid world wars, periods of domestic tension, and in snow and rainstorms.
Marathon Sports will need to reset their countdown to the #BostonMarathon as the race is cancelled for 2020, pushed to April 2021 at the earliest. @marty_walsh saying a September race is no longer feasible due to #coronavirus safety concerns. #wcvb pic.twitter.com/gkjt0Y1kHg
— Peter Eliopoulos (@petereliopoulos) May 28, 2020
The @BAA has announced that the 124th Boston Marathon will be held as a virtual event, following Boston Mayor Martin Walsh’s cancellation of the marathon as a mass participation road running event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. pic.twitter.com/tlIdvsU9sq
— Boston Marathon (@bostonmarathon) May 28, 2020
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Cyprus to pay the medical bill if tourists catch the coronavirus
Cyprus hopes to attract tourists after its coronavirus lockdown by paying the medical costs of anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 while holidaying on the island, officials said Wednesday.
The plan was outlined in a letter to tour operators and airlines detailing the measures Cyprus is taking to ensure the safety of its tourism sector. The letter was made public Wednesday and signed by the ministers of foreign affairs, transport, and tourism.
The Mediterranean island is marketing itself as a safe holiday destination during the global pandemic. The Republic of Cyprus has reported 939 novel coronavirus cases and only 17 deaths.
If a visitor to Cyprus tests positive for COVID-19 this summer, the government will cover many of their expenses — including food, drink and lodging — according to a new plan that maps out how the island nation can revive its crucial tourism industry. https://t.co/PgWTR3DdXt
— NPR (@NPR) May 28, 2020
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Paris to Reopen Parks and Public Gardens on June 2
Paris will reopen parks and public gardens from June 2, the city’s mayor said on Thursday on its websites.
France is due to enter a second phase in its relaxation of lockdown rules imposed to curb the spread of the new coronavirus on June 2.
Voilà pourquoi je demande la réouverture des parcs et jardins à Paris ! #OuvronsLesParcs pic.twitter.com/50Qy2Slk9g
— Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) May 20, 2020
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Australia’s A-league to resume in July
Australia’s A-League, which was suspended in March because of the coronavirus outbreak, will resume in mid-July providing an agreement that can be reached with broadcasters, Football Federation Australia said on Thursday.
The plan for the completion of the last six rounds of the regular season and the championship playoffs follows the easing of social restrictions in Australia with the country that has been largely successful in containing COVID-19.
“We are committed to delivering the completion of the A-League 2019-20 season and have agreed to a comprehensive plan with the clubs and the (players’ union),” FFA chief executive James Johnson said in a statement.
Save the date and start the countdown – @FootballWest is thrilled to announce the 2020 season will return on Sunday, 21 June, subject to the easing of the WA Government restrictions.
FULL DETAILS HERE: https://t.co/3qKxPAbaik pic.twitter.com/sOesJwxkw7
— Football West (@FootballWest) May 29, 2020
.@FootballWest has announced competitions will return from 21 June!https://t.co/jWXa2fBaP5
— Football Federation Australia (@FFA) May 29, 2020
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GSK to produce 1 bln doses of coronavirus vaccine booster in 2021
GlaxoSmithKline Plc will expand production of vaccine efficacy boosters, or adjuvants, to produce 1 billion doses in 2021 for use in shots for COVID-19, the British drugmaker said on Thursday.
The London-listed company said it was in talks with governments on backing for the program, which would effectively allow for a scaling up of production of future successful vaccines for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
GSK is one of several companies in the race to develop a vaccine for the respiratory illness that currently has no treatment and has already killed about 350,000 people.
We’ve announced our intention to manufacture 1 billion doses of pandemic vaccine adjuvant in 2021 to help combat #COVID19. Adjuvants could allow more doses to be produced, helping more people. Learn more about the science: https://t.co/aqzxZEYfnJ pic.twitter.com/5To8hVYbSP
— GSK (@GSK) May 28, 2020
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