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DAMASCUS, Syria (AFP) — The Syrian government has announced the first case of the novel coronavirus in the war-torn country, days after starting measures to stem the spread of the pandemic. Health Minister Nizar Yaziji late Sunday said authorities had recorded “a first case of the coronavirus in Syria in a person coming from abroad,” without specifying the country. “The appropriate measures have been taken to deal with” the female patient aged around 20, state […]
(Eagle News)–Government employees who physically report to work during the enhanced community quarantine will receive hazard pay. Administrative order number 26 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, March 23, said the hazard pay covers national government agencies including state universities and colleges and government-owned and controlled corporations. The pay is an amount not exceeding P500 per day of work. “Personnel who are already entitled to hazard pay, hazardous duty pay, hazard allowance or […]
BEIJING, China (AFP) — China has started the first phase of a clinical trial for a novel coronavirus vaccine, records show, as the world’s scientists race to find a way to combat the deadly pathogen. It comes after US health officials said last week they had started a trial to evaluate a possible vaccine in Seattle. The Chinese effort began on March 16 — the same day as the US announcement — and is expected […]
(Eagle News) – Agriculture Secretary William Dar assured that there is enough rice in Metro Manila to meet the Philippine capital’s requirements amid the enhanced community quarantine in place due to the coronavirus crisis. Dar said that the National Food Authority (NFA) as of Friday, March 20, has already completed the prepositioning of rice stocks which are ready for delivery and disbursement in strategic areas in Metro Manila. The agriculture chief also assured that there […]
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFP) — Iraq on Sunday imposed a total nationwide lockdown until March 28 to fight the novel coronavirus, as the number of cases grew and the death toll climbed to 20. Most of Iraq’s 18 provinces had so far imposed their own local curfews but the new measures would include the whole of the country, according to a new decision by the government’s crisis cell. Schools, universities and other gathering places would remain […]
BANGKOK, Thailand (AFP) — Thailand’s confirmed coronavirus cases rose by a third to nearly 600, the kingdom announced Sunday, as fears of a full-blown crisis take hold in a country largely spared until now. Thailand’s health ministry announced the spike was mainly in the capital, but warned residents of Bangkok not to leave and risk spreading the virus around the country. “We would like you to stay at home. Do not travel upcountry,” said health […]
PARIS, France (AFP) — French health workers will get free transport on the country’s high-speed and intercity trains, France’s state rail operator the SNCF announced on Monday. The rail operator was responding to an appeal by Paris hospitals for people with medical or paramedical training to come and reinforce their staff. Doctors, nurses and other medical staff will be able to travel for free to help in the fight against the virus, if they get […]
(Eagle News)– The Department of Health on Monday, March 23, denied it was prioritizing politicians in the testing for coronavirus disease 2019. In a radio interview, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said there were still many officials who wanted to be tested but had to wait in line. She said most of those who were tested were qualified for testing in the first place: They had a travel history and had exposure to COVID-19 cases. […]
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AFP) — Dubai’s famous malls will shut down for a fortnight under the United Arab Emirates’ plan to curb coronavirus, which will also see its airports closed to passenger and transit flights. The decision to close commercial centers takes in shopping centers as well as fresh food markets, but pharmacies and food retail outlets will be allowed to stay open. Restaurants are limited to home deliveries. The health ministry and the […]
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, US media reported Sunday. Weinstein, 68, is in prison in northern New York state after being sentenced to 23 years in jail for rape and sexual assault. The fallen film producer’s diagnosis was first reported Sunday evening by local paper the Niagara Gazette. Weinstein’s spokespeople have declined to comment to US media on the subject. The New […]
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — The NBA launched a global social engagement campaign Friday aimed at educating, inspiring and helping people respond to the coronavirus pandemic that has shut down the league season. The “NBA Together” program will include daily Instagram interviews with players and others in the NBA, educational programs, online content aimed at youth who can’t play with friends and a call for “one million acts of kindness” through volunteering and community […]
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Rand Paul, a critic of emergency coronavirus spending, has become the first US senator to test positive for COVID-19, the Republican lawmaker’s office said Sunday. A statement from a staff member said he was in quarantine but remained asymptomatic. As US senators work on a multi-trillion-dollar rescue package to help the US economy hit hard by the pandemic, Paul has at least twice voted against such emergency funding. Paul, who […]
