Coronavirus
Lesotho records first coronavirus case
Lesotho recorded its first case of COVID-19 on Wednesday, the health ministry said, becoming the last country in southern and East Africa to be afflicted by the virus. The ministry said it had conducted 81 tests for COVID-19 from travellers from South Africa and Saudi Arabia, of which one was positive. The remote, high-altitude kingdom, nestled in a South African mountain range, had previously been spared the coronavirus, although its bigger, more industrialised neighbour has recorded more than 10,000 cases. The disease has struck at a time of political uncertainty in Lesotho, with embattled Prime Minister Thomas Thabane due to step down by the end of next week after his coalition collapsed in parliament. His exit would clear the way for a solution to a political crisis that erupted late l...
COVID-19: TransUnion Provides Key Info to Kenya’s Financial Services Providers
Global information and insights company TransUnion says Kenya’s financial services providers and consumer credit market will have to drive a robust, proactive response to the COVID-19 crisis if they are to manage the risks to the industry, with the pandemic expected to have a major impact on the country’s economy and the consumer landscape. Past crises and initial data suggest there will be ‘a significant reduction’ in the quality and volume of credit in Kenya as consumers and businesses grapple with lower income. What will define the COVID-19 pandemic for the consumer credit market is how banks and lenders respond to the challenges it presents, says Billy Owino, CEO of TransUnion Kenya. To help the consumer credit market respond to the crisis, TransUnion this morning launched its COVID-19...
Taraba discharge six coronavirus patients
The six are among the 17 COVID-19 cases so far recorded in the state. The state commissioner for Information and member of the state’s technical Committee on COVID-19, Danjuma Adamu, disclosed this at a briefing in Jalingo, the state capital. He explained that the six patients who recovered from the CoronaVirus were discharged Tuesday to reunite with their family. He further explained that those still in isolation are receiving the appropriate care needed. He further urged members of the public to observe all precautionary measures as the government is doing all it takes to contain the spread of the virus. Newsmen reports that Taraba still has 11 active COVID-19 cases. Get more stories like this on Twitter
Official: Why 471 persons died in Yobe in three weeks
Dr. Mohammed Lawan, Yobe Commissioner for Health, on Tuesday gave reasons for the 471 deaths recorded across different communities in the State in the past three weeks amidst fears that the deadly COVID-19 virus may has been claiming lives in the State without notice. Lawan, who is the Vice Chairman of the state’s COVID-19 Committee, however, said the deaths which occurred between the last days of April till date was not due to the global pandemic, according to preliminary report of the investigative response team constituted by the government. According to him, 90 per cent of the deaths had no multiple case definition symptoms of Coronavirus disease, while further noting that most of those that died were elderly people. According to him, “57 per cent of the total deaths had an underlying ...
Tony Shalhoub Recovers From Coronavirus
Tony Shalhoub reprised his famed Monk character during the premiere of Peacock’s At-Home Variety Show on Monday. While the return of Adrian Monk was certainly a welcome sight, Shalhoub also used the segment to share some harrowing news: He’s spent the last few weeks in quarantine battling COVID-19. The revelation came later in the Variety Show episode, following Shalhoub’s brief turn as the obsessive-compulsive Detective Monk, who unsurprisingly has been passing his pandemic time religiously cleaning every inch of his house. Out of character and speaking candidly to the camera, the 66-year-old actor confirmed that he and his wife had tested positive for coronavirus, but were now in recovery. “I hope you’re all being careful and following the protocol. We really are all ...
Nigeria’s coronavirus deaths jump to 158
Nigeria has recorded 158 Coronavirus deaths, with Lagos and Kano topping the chat. According to the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, on Tuesday, Lagos and Kano both have 33 coronavirus deaths each. Borno recorded 16 deaths while Sokoto rakes in 13 deaths from the deadly pandemic. Katsina ramps up 11 deaths, while FCT has seven and Ogun and Zamfara have five deaths each. Others are: Edo and Osun, four deaths; Bauchi, Kaduna, Kebbi, Rivers and Delta recorded three deaths respectively; Jigawa, Oyo, Akwa Ibom recorded three cases each, while Gombe, Kwara, Nasarawa, Yobe, Ondo and Ekiti have recorded one case each. Get more stories like this on Twitter
Texas Rangers Announce Concert in Your Car Series in Stadium Parking Lot
At least someone is getting creative. In order to comply with Texas’ social gathering policy, the Texas Rangers will be hosting a concert series at their stadium in Arlington, but with a twist. All attendees will need to be in their cars to comply with CDC and Texas state regulations. Here’s how the baseball team describe the event: Concert in Your Car is a concert series taking place in Tundra Lot B just North of Globe Life Field, featuring nationally recognized recording artists. The event is designed to give music fans the live show experience, while still maintaining social distancing. Think concert meets drive-in movie. Fair enough. So far, artists on the bill include Texas favorite Pat Green (performing on 6/6), Eli Green Band (6/4), Whiskey Meyers (6/5) and Josh Abbott and Kevin Fow...
Bob Dylan Cancels US Summer Tour Due to COVID-19
Musicians worldwide have scrapped their touring plans due to the pandemic, and now Bob Dylan is following suit. The legendary troubadour has canceled all of his Summer 2020 tour dates amid concerns over COVID-19. Part of his “Never Ending Tour”, the US trek was originally supposed to kick off in early June and extend well through mid-July. Dylan’s itinerary included two nights at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, as well as headlining gigs at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles and the Forest Hills Stadium in New York City. Fellow folk rockers Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats had been tapped as support. “In the interest of public health and safety and after many attempts to try and reschedule these shows for a workable timeframe this year, it is with deep regret that we announce the U....
Kwara records 10 fresh cases of coronavirus
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says 10 more people have tested positive to Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Kwara. This brings the total of confirmed cases of Coronavirus to 44, with nine patients discharged and one death recorded in the state. The State before now has 34 cases of the disease. The Special Assistant on New Media to the state governor, Mr Fafoluyi Olayinka, confirmed this on Tuesday in his verified official social media account. Olayinka said that the number of active cases as at 8 p.m is 34, while nine have so far been discharged and one death recorded. Get more stories like this on Twitter
Broadway to Remain Closed Through Labor Day
Broadway will remain dark through Labor Day as New York City continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. “While all Broadway shows would love to resume performances as soon as possible, we need to ensure the health and well-being of everyone who comes to the theater — behind the curtain and in front of it — before shows can return,” Broadway League president Charlotte St. Martin said in a statement Tuesday (via THR). “The Broadway League’s membership is working in cooperation with the theatrical unions, government officials and health experts to determine the safest ways to restart our industry. Throughout this challenging time, we have been in close communication with Governor Cuomo’s office and are grateful for his support and leadership as we work together to bring back this vital par...
Experts Recommend No Moshing or Crowdsurfing Once Concerts Return
The coronavirus pandemic has temporarily changed the future of live music. Drive-in concerts are now a thing, as are drive-in raves, because experts predict shows won’t return until 2021. With prominent figures like Live Nation now planning to resume concerts at “full scale” next year, organizers at nonprofit Event Safety Alliance have drafted a new guide to keep concertgoers and venue employees safe. Unfortunately, it includes a temporary ban on moshing and crowdsurfing (via Alternative Press). The Event Safety Alliance guide was created to help venues that plan to reopen eventually but want to do so safely. The suggestions within the document were written after staff members Steven Adelman and Jacob Worek spoke to over 400 promoters, caterers, Ticketmaster employees, and other worke...
