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Brazil hospitals pushed to limit as coronavirus death toll soars

Hospitals in Brazil’s main cities are reaching capacity, health officials have warned, as the country recorded the world’s highest COVID-19 death toll over the past week, triggering tighter restrictions on Thursday in its most populous state. Intensive care wards for treating COVID-19 patients have reached critical occupancy levels over 90% in 15 of 27 state capitals, according to biomedical center Fiocruz. In Porto Alegre, the largest city in southern Brazil, there are no free intensive care units (ICUs), and occupancy has also hit 100% in two other state capitals, Fiocruz reported. The Health Ministry on Wednesday reported a record 2,286 deaths from COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, as new infections rose by 79,876. With more than 270,000 deaths, Brazil’s pandemic death toll over the past y...

We paid N10 million to secure hospital bed space for Bolu Akin-Olugbade – brother

Sunmade Akin-Olugbade, the economist brother of late socialite and businessman, Bolu Akin-Olugbade, has alleged that the family had to cough up N10m before his brother could be allocated a bed space at a hospital in Lagos to be treated for Covid-19. Unfortunately, the Rolls Royce connoisseur gave up the ghost. Speaking to Asabe Afrika TV, Sunmade said his billionaire brother who had been away for most of 2020, arrived Nigeria from London in October hale and hearty and began attending parties against his advice. Bolu he said, would always dismiss his worries by telling him he had his face mask on. He said Bolu was doing fine until New Year’s Eve when he complained that he was feeling unwell. He was initially sent some bitter kola and ginger among other local herbs but it was his breathing d...

Minister: We have spent $570,000 on coronavirus prevention in schools

Sri Lanka has spent around $570,000 on COVID-19 precautionary measures in schools around the country, state media reported on Monday. The Minister of Education, Gamini Peiris, said this in Colombo. Peiris was quoted in state-owned Daily News as saying that sets of equipment have been provided to schools in order to protect the health of children ahead of classes restarting in the New Year. He said that schools would be reopened in isolated areas on Jan. 11 following consultation with health officials. The minister said that teachers and ministry officials would meet between Jan. 4 to 11 to discuss the implementation of health and safety protocols. So far, Sri Lanka had recorded 44,774 cases, 213 deaths and 37,252 recovered. Get more stories like this on Twitter You Deserve to Make Money Ev...

Bandits kill 19 in Kaduna attacks

Some bandits on motorcycles have invaded Kaya Village in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State and killed no fewer than 19 persons, including the leader of the volunteer team in the area. Over nine persons sustained gunshot wounds in the incident that started from New Year’s day (Friday) to Saturday night. Several houses, shops as well as motorcycles were burnt during the reprisal attack by the bandits. The Kaya village in Kaduna Central Senatorial District shared a border with Hayin Kaura village of Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State. The Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, who confirmed the attack on Sunday, said trouble started on New Year’s day when bandits attacked Kaya town and kidnapped some locals, including two marr...

Bandits kill 19 in Kaduna attacks

Some bandits on motorcycles have invaded Kaya Village in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State and killed no fewer than 19 persons, including the leader of the volunteer team in the area. Over nine persons sustained gunshot wounds in the incident that started from New Year’s day (Friday) to Saturday night. Several houses, shops as well as motorcycles were burnt during the reprisal attack by the bandits. The Kaya village in Kaduna Central Senatorial District shared a border with Hayin Kaura village of Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State. The Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, who confirmed the attack on Sunday, said trouble started on New Year’s day when bandits attacked Kaya town and kidnapped some locals, including two marr...

Lagos governor recovers from coronavirus, urges precautions

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday announced his recovery from COVID-19 infection, having tested negative, following 14 days of treatment. Addressing State House correspondents at ‘Lagos House’, Marina, Sanwo-Olu said that he experienced moderate symptoms like headache, cough, among other COVID-19 symptoms. He thanked the people of Lagos and the medical team for their care, prayers, and concern throughout his isolation. “I was fortunate to have had a relatively moderate COVID-19 experience. About one in every 10 persons who contracted the disease in Lagos State were not so lucky; they have to go into intensive care, and some of them did not make it out alive. “For this reason, my gratitude is deep and profuse. And it is also for this reason, that I am here to app...

FRSC urges motorists to exercise patience

The Ifo Unit Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ogun has advised motorists to exercise patience and drive with caution to stem road crashes during the Yuletide. The Commander of the unit, Mr Joshua Ibitomi, gave the advice on Thursday in Ota, Ogun. The Federal Government had on Wednesday declared Dec. 25 and Dec. 28, 2020, as well as, Jan. 1, 2021, as public holidays for the citizens to celebrate Christmas and the New Year festivities respectively. Ibitomi said that the advice had become necessary as motorists are always in a hurry during the festive season to arrive at their destinations without being conscious of the safety measures on the roads. “The FRSC implores motorists to exercise patience and adhere strictly to traffic rules and regulations to avoid carnage on the ...

Yuletide: Police chief orders tight security nations wide

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, M.A. Adamu, has ordered 24/7 water-tight security arrangement and proactive high visibility patrols in all the States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), ahead of the Christmas and New Year Celebrations. The IGP gave the directives to all Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police in charge of Zonal and State Commands nationwide to ensure a peaceful celebration. The IGP equally directed the Strategic Officers to ensure massive deployment of intelligence and other operational assets of the Force particularly on major highways, airports, railway stations, recreational centres, motor – parks, places of worship, financial institutions, amongst others. They are also to ensure that personnel deployed are adequat...

Qatar to host FIFA Club World Cup 2020 across three venues

Qatar will host the FIFA Club World Cup 2020 from February 1 to 11, 2021, after it was postponed earlier this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Six continental confederations, as well as the host nation’s league champions, will compete in the tournament, which will be held across three FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 stadiums — Ahmad Bin Ali, Khalifa International and Education City. The Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, inaugurated just last week on December 18, will stage the opening match between Qatari champions Al Duhail and Auckland City of New Zealand on February 1, and the final will be played at Education City Stadium on February 11. Joining the two teams will be European champions and German side FC Bayern Munich, CONCACAF champions Tigres UANL from Mexico, Al Ahly SC, Egyptian side and winners ...