MADRID, Spain (AFP) — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced Saturday the extension of the country’s lockdown until April 25 in order to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. “The cabinet on Tuesday will again ask for authorization from parliament to extend for a second time the state of alert until Saturday April 25 at midnight,’ Sanchez said in a televised speech. “With the utmost caution, we believe that this is the time that […]
Other News
Italy’s doctors look for help from sleek new robots
by Miguel MEDINA Agence France Presse VARESE, Italy (AFP) — The shiny new robots gently check the pulses of highly infectious patients on life support in the Italian epicentre of COVID-19. The doctors and nurses love them because they also help save their own lives. Italians have seen the world around them turn unrecognisable from the various lockdowns and social distancing measures used to fight the new coronavirus outbreak. But little appears to have […]
Las Piñas confirms 37 COVID-19 cases
(Eagle News)–Las Piñas has recorded 37 coronavirus disease 2019 cases. The local government said of the 37, one each was from Almanza Uno, Barangays Daniel Fajardo, Elias Aldana, Manuyo Uno and Talon Uno; five from BF International-CAA and Pilar; four from Manuyo Dos and Talon Dos; three from Pamplona Uno and Zapote; and two from Pamplona Dos, Pamplona Tres, Pulanglupa Dos and Talon Kuwatro. Seven patients have recovered and three have died. Seven people are […]
Coronavirus infects medics at Egypt cancer centre
CAIRO, Egypt (AFP) — Egypt’s main cancer institute has confirmed 15 cases of the novel coronavirus among its medical staff, the facility’s chief said Saturday, sparking fears of exposure among vulnerable patients. “Three doctors and 12 nurses were infected by the virus,” Hatem Abulkassem, the director of Cairo’s National Cancer Institute, told a private Egyptian TV channel, adding that the 15 had been isolated. The facility will be sterilised over three days and patients […]
DOH says mass COVID-19 testing has already started; vulnerable sectors with symptoms prioritized
(Eagle News) – The Department of Health (DOH) said that the mass testing has already started in the country for COVID-19 which is prioritizing vulnerable populations with symptoms. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that so far around 19,000 individuals have already been tested for coronavirus and that more than 15,000 have tested negative for the disease. Positive test results have reached 3,739 so far. This includes repeat tests, Vergeire said, which is why […]
DOH to LGUs: Pass ordinances vs the discrimination of health workers, other frontliners
(Eagle News)–The Department of Health on Saturday, April 4, urged local government units to pass ordinances against the discrimination of medical workers and other frontliners. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire cited in particular Manila City’s Ordinance No. 8624 or the Anti-COVID-19 Discrimination Ordinance of 2020, which also bans the discrimination against COVID-19 patients, patients under probe and patients under monitoring. Under the ordinance, violators will be fined P5,000 fine or be meted out a maximum […]
South Africa’s detected coronavirus cases rise to 1,505
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AFP) — South Africa on Friday announced two more coronavirus deaths and 43 new confirmed cases, bringing to tally in Africa’s worst-affected country up to 1,505 infections and seven deaths. Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, who released the latest figures, said the figure was likely to be underestimated due to testing limits. “I want to raise the point that this number is affected by… the limitations of the active testing that […]
Only 76 new COVID-19 cases reported in the past 24 hours, says DOH; total cases reach 3,094
Eight fatalities and five patient recoveries also reported (Eagle News) – Only 76 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the past day bringing the total cases in the country so far to 3,094, with five additional recoveries as of Saturday, April 4, according to the Department of Health. The additional cases reported in the past 24 hours were way below the previous 385 cases added on Friday, April 3 that brought the total to […]
Cloudy skies, isolated rainshowers expected in Visayas, Occidental Mindoro
(Eagle News)–Cloudy skies and isolated rainshowers are expected in parts of the country today. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the entire Visayas and Occidental Mindoro will have partly cloudy to mostly cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers mostly in the eastern section. PAGASA said this was due to the easterlies. Light to moderate winds from the East to Northeast will prevail over Visayas, Palawan, and Occidental Mindoro with slight to moderate seas, […]
Robredo camp thanks President Duterte for acknowledging OVP efforts in COVID-19 response
(Eagle News)–The camp of Vice President Leni Robredo on Saturday April 4, thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for acknowledging her help in the Philippines’ response to the coronavirus disease 2019 emergency. “Nagpapasalamat kami sa pahayag ng Pangulo na hindi kasalanan ang tumulong sa kapwa Pilipino ngayong panahon ng krisis,” Barry Gutierrez, Robredo’s lawyer, said in a statement. He called on the public for donations for protective equipment and other assistance to doctors, nurses and other frontliners. […]
DOTr: Usage of Manila ports at 75 percent as shippers, consignees start withdrawing overstaying cargoes
(Eagle News)–Usage of the Manila ports is now at 75 percent as shippers and consignees have started withdrawing overstaying cargoes. This is according to the Department of Transportation, which issued a statement on Saturday, April 4, days after Transportation Secretary Art Tugade appealed for consignees to withdraw these to pave the way for incoming cargoes carrying essential needs. “The (Philippine Ports Authority) is happy about this. There (are) now efforts on shippers and consignees to […]
PHL gov’t condemns harassment vs health workers, COVID-19 cases; says “this is not how Filipinos should act”
(Eagle News) – The Philippine government appealed to Filipinos not to harass or discriminate against health care workers who are treating COVID-19 patients, saying that this is not the way that the people should act in this time of crisis. Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said that they are saddened to receive reports that health care workers, and even ordinary Filipinos who are dealing with the COVID-19 patients have been barred from entering villages or their […]
