TheNewsGuru

Tag: Coronavirus

  • Davido shares starry-eyed moment with Chioma Rowland

    Davido shares starry-eyed moment with Chioma Rowland

    Superstar Afrobeats singer, Davido Adeleke, aka davido, has proven any separation rumor with his babymama, Chioma Rowland, to be false as he shares a loved-up video with her.

    This came amidst unending rumors of their separation even though the duo never at any point confirmed or deny the claims.

    It would be recalled that Chioma on Sunday spent time at church with the singer who had not stepped foot in the ministry in three years.

    The most recent clip on Davido’s Instagram story captured the loved-up moment he had with Chioma Rowland at the club.

    The duo could be seen holding on to one another heart-to-heart as they playfully make a pinky swear.

    When in 2018, Davido released his single, Assurance, a lot of people did not take time to figure out that the song was a dedication to his Chioma.

    Chioma and Davido started dating in late 2017 and went exclusive the following year. A relationship that was already causing tongues to wag, suddenly became the talk of the town in 2018, after rumours emerged that Chioma was madly in love with Davido, that she had to skip classes, in order to be with the pop star on his various tours and shows, around the world.

    Davido, on his part, did everything to show the world how serious he was about Chioma, including buying her a Porsche car as a gift on her birthday.

    A year later, Davido took it a step further by proposing to Chioma, days after their introduction. They welcomed their son, Ifeanyi, also in the same year.

    Davido and Chioma, according to people’s expectations, actually had a family introduction in September 2019, preparatory to their wedding in 2020, but came Coronavirus, when a lot of plans were put on hold.

    The marriage too was hung in the air. However, in some interviews in 2020, Davido informed the public that the marriage could happen the following year, but hardly had his words sunk in, before rumours began flying around in the social media of a pending crisis in the once beautiful relationship and the rumours reached its peak, in December 2020, when Davido hosted an American model, Mya Yafai in Lagos.

  • FACT CHECK: No reported #COVID19 Vaccine mortality in Nigeria since vaccination rollout

    FACT CHECK: No reported #COVID19 Vaccine mortality in Nigeria since vaccination rollout

    By Oghenekevwe Uchechukwu

    As part of an ongoing vaccination campaign, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced that there has been no reported case of death from the COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria since the country rolled out its vaccination programme.

    In a tweet via its verified twitter handle @NCDCgov on Wednesday 16th February 2022, the NCDC said Nigerian academics and independent researchers have continued to study the safety of the vaccine, adding that they are safe and effective.

    “There has been no COVID-19 vaccine related mortality and hospitalization in Nigeria since the commencement of vaccination,” the tweet stated.

    HOW TRUE IS THIS CLAIM?

    The first case of the coronavirus in Nigeria was recorded on 27th February 2020 but vaccination did not commence until 6th March 2021, with priority given to frontline health workers at a time when the country had recorded close to 165, 000 confirmed cases of infection and 2000 deaths.

    Nigeria has now administered at least 20,617,588 doses of COVID vaccines and although about 10, 113 cases of mild Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) and 86 cases of moderate to severe incidents have been reported, there has been no record of any adverse reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine in the country.

    Most of the COVID-19 jabs require two doses and at the current average of about 192,919 doses administered each day, Nigeria could vaccinate up to 10 per cent of its estimated 214 million population with at least one shot of the vaccine by September.

    VERDICT

    TRUE. The number of infection of the corona virus in Nigeria has risen to 254, 182 with 3, 141 total deaths, but no single case of vaccine mortality has been officially recorded.

  • Arteta to miss New Year’s Day clash after Coronavirus test

    Arteta to miss New Year’s Day clash after Coronavirus test

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be absent for his side’s New Year’s Day clash with Manchester City after testing positive for coronavirus.

    The Spaniard is now isolating and will be unable to attend the tea-time kick-off at the Emirates Stadium.

    A club statement read: “Mikel Arteta will miss our match against Manchester City on New Year’s Day after testing positive for COVID-19.

    “Mikel is isolating in line with Government guidelines and we wish him well.”

    Arteta is still expected to do press duties ahead of the game on Thursday.

    He previously contracted the virus in March 2020, which prompted the shutdown of English football at the start of the pandemic.

    Assistants Albert Stuivenberg and Steve Round will be in charge on match day.

    The Gunners were without a number of players during their 5-0 win at Norwich on Boxing Day due to coronavirus.

    Calum Chambers, Cedric Soares, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ainsley Maitland-Niles among those infected.

    Their game with Wolves on Tuesday was postponed due to an outbreak in Bruno Lage’s squad.

  • Garba Shehu recovers from COVID-19

    Garba Shehu recovers from COVID-19

    Spokesman to President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu has disclosed his speedy recovery from Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Shehu made the disclosure on Wednesday, thanking God and individuals, who checked up on him during the period he was battling the ailment.

    “I thank Almighty Allah for my speedy recovery from COVID-19. My prayers and deepest respect are for all of you, who prayed, called or texted expressing your concerns for me.

    “May all of our countrymen and women still afflicted with the virus fight this scourge with all their might and get well soon,” Shehu stated via his official Facebook page.

    TNG reports this is the second time it is public knowledge that the presidential spokesman contracted the dreaded disease.

    In 2020, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity first contracted the disease.

    In March of that year, via Twitter, he tweeted that he had tested negative to the deadly Coronavirus disease.

    Back then, the presidential aide, advised all citizens to stay at home as recommended by relevant authorities to guide against the spread of the virus.

  • Tokyo Paralympics confirmed to hold without fans amid coronavirus pandemic

    Tokyo Paralympics confirmed to hold without fans amid coronavirus pandemic

    The 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo later this month will follow the lead of the 2020 Olympics and exclude fans from the majority of venues due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    The organisers confirmed on Monday however that an exception would be made for school children as part of an education programme.

    They said the school children could be allowed to attend venues if local school authorities, in discussion with parents, wish.

    The Paralympic Games will see around 4,400 athletes from 160 nations compete in Tokyo from Aug. 24 to Sept. 5.

    Tokyo is currently under a fourth coronavirus state of emergency set to last until Aug. 31.

    The Japanese government, according to local media reports, wishes to extend that to Sept. 12, covering the whole period of the Paralympics.

    The decision to keep fans away from the Paralympics was made in discussions with the local Tokyo government and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

    Andrew Parsons, president of the IPC, recently said the Olympic Games being held “has shown to the world that a major global sports event can be delivered safely”.

    But he called on those involved in the Paralympics to “be vigilant” to obey health rules.

    Considering the alarming rise in infections in Tokyo, experts have urged Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to take “drastic measures” in response, such as stay-at-home orders as used in other countries.

    Presently Japan only appeals to citizens to stay at home, while restaurants remain open even though they cannot sell alcohol and must close early.

  • Tokyo Games official not ruling out cancellation amid rising coronavirus cases

    Tokyo Games official not ruling out cancellation amid rising coronavirus cases

    Tokyo Olympics organising committee chief, Toshiro Muto, has not ruled out cancelling the Games at the last minute should there be a surge in coronavirus cases.

    Officials announced a further nine positive cases among those linked to the Games on Tuesday, taking the overall number of people infected since the start of July to 71.

    That total includes South Africa’s male footballers Thabiso Monyane and Kamohelo Mahlatsi testing positive while inside the athletes’ village over the weekend.

    A number of other athletes have been forced to isolate after coming into close contact with an individual that has contracted the disease.

    With just three days to go until the global sporting event’s opening ceremony, and with the first events starting as soon as Wednesday, director-general Muto will continue monitoring infection levels.

    But this will be with the hope they do not spiral out of control.

    “We can’t predict what will happen with the number of coronavirus cases. So, we will continue discussions if there is a spike in cases,” he said at a news conference.

    “We have agreed that based on the coronavirus situation, we will convene five-party talks again.

    “At this point, the coronavirus cases may rise or fall. So, we will think about what we should do when the situation arises.”

    Around 11,000 athletes from 205 national Olympic committees are expected to stay at the Olympic Village over the next three weeks.

    The 2020 Games, delayed by a year due to the global health pandemic, will be held mostly without spectators due to a state of emergency being declared in Tokyo.

    The number of new coronavirus cases in the Japanese capital topped 1,000 for five days running before dropping to 727 on Monday.

    Amid concerns from the wider population over the Games going ahead, Japan’s chef de mission Tsuyoshi Fukui insisted a number of safety measures are in place to stop the virus spreading.

    “Under these circumstances, we must admit that COVID-19 is not subsiding,” Fukui said on Tuesday. “We have to pay tribute to many people that enabled us to start the Games.

    “We will give our utmost efforts so that the athletes can do their best. We will, as Team Japan, never forget the sense of appreciation.

    “As of Monday night, the Japanese athletes staying at the Athletes’ Village is 236.

    “We have seen more and more athletes from other nations enter the Village, but there are rigorous COVID-19 counter-measures enforced and, so far, there has been no major issues.

    “Including myself, athletes and other members are taking antigen tests every day, as well as using an app to monitor our health situations.

    “Every time we enter the Athletes’ Village, our temperatures are checked, and we disinfect our hands.

    “In the dining hall, each seat is separated by acrylic boards. Also, everyone is also wearing face masks.

    “So, we have a strong sense that rigorous measures against the spread of COVID-19 are in place by the organising committee.”

    He added: “There are various opinions regarding the Games and we are aware of that. We will like to earnestly listen to and take these opinions into account.

    “But, at the same time, the mission of the Japanese delegation is to establish an environment where an athlete could focus on sports.

    “So through sports we want to deliver hope and bravery and to make sure that each athlete can do their best in their performance.”

  • 3 Italian Euro 2020 journalists positive for coronavirus

    3 Italian Euro 2020 journalists positive for coronavirus

    Three Italian journalists covering their country’s national team at Euro 2020 have tested positive for the coronavirus, two days before Italy take on England in the final at Wembley.

    As a result a scheduled press conference with defender Leonardo Bonucci took place only digitally at the team’s training camp in Florence.

    Media reports said the three were a reporter and two TV technicians from the Italian public broadcaster RAI.

    Italy are operating with a strict hygiene concept as part of the Euros and are set to return to London on Saturday.

  • Easter: Don’t lose hope in coronavirus times, Pope tells Christians

    Easter: Don’t lose hope in coronavirus times, Pope tells Christians

    Pope Francis called on the faithful at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday, not to lose hope in the protracted coronavirus crisis.

    “In the hour of darkness when humanity is grappling with the pandemic and other ills, Christians need to take to heart the Easter message of the angel not to be afraid,’’ the 84-year-old head of the Catholic Church said in St Peter’s Basilica.

    One message of Easter, he said, is that it is always possible to start anew.

    “Even from the shambles of human history, God has created something new from the rubble of our hearts,’’ the Pope said.

    “God can create a work of art from the ruined remnants of our humanity, God can prepare a new history.’’

    “In these dark months of the pandemic … listen to the Risen Lord as He invites us to begin anew and never lose hope,’’ the pope said.

    About 200 faithful and clergy joined in the service.

    Only a limited number of people were allowed to attend as a precaution to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

    Christians commemorate the resurrection of Jesus during the Easter weekend.

    At the beginning of Saturday’s vigil service, the pontiff carried the Easter candle – the light of Christ – into the dark St Peter’s Basilica.

    For devout Christians, Easter is the most important feast in the church year.

  • Jonathan shocked over death of Tanzania President, Magufuli

    Jonathan shocked over death of Tanzania President, Magufuli

    Nigeria’s former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is shocked by the death of Tanzania’s President, John Magufuli.

    Magufuli died on Wednesday as announced by Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

    Magufuli was 61. He was Tanzania’s first president to die while in office.

    His death was announced after more than two-week absence from public life, that led to speculation about his health.

    The opposition said he was struck with COVID-19, but VP Hassan said he died from the heart disease that had plagued him for a decade.

    Reacting to his death on Thursday morning, Jonathan said “A bright star has been plucked from the African continent.

    “President John Magufuli of Tanzania was a man I knew quite well, due to my frequent visits to Tanzania for the advancement of democracy in Africa.

    ”I found in him a true partner in democracy and a patriot who loved his country and did his best to steer the ship of state away from the brink and to the bank of the river of peace, progress and prosperity.

    “My condolences to his family, especially First Lady Janeth Magufuli, and their children, as well as the government and people of Tanzania.

    “My thoughts go out also to his party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi. May God grant his soul repose, and may He comfort the grieving nation.”

  • Coronavirus kills 15 as new variant spreads in Nigeria, 15 other countries

    Coronavirus kills 15 as new variant spreads in Nigeria, 15 other countries

    Anew variant of COVID-19 has been detected in Nigeria and 15 other countries as more COVID-19 deaths were recorded on Monday, with Lagos recording 15 of the 23 reported throughout Nigeria.

    Director-General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Chikwe Ihekweazu announced the finding at Monday’s joint briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

    Meanwhile, the national death toll jumped to 1862, from 1839 on Sunday, deaths in Lagos now totalled 399.

    According to NCDC data, the other eight deaths reported on Monday occurred in FCT Abuja, Kano, Osun, Kwara and Sokoto.

    Osun recorded three fatalities to increase its death toll to 48.

    The FCT death toll also crept to 142, with two new deaths.

    Kano, Sokoto and Kwara recorded one fatality each.

    Kano, the most populated state in northern Nigeria, now has a death toll of 103, the fifth highest after Lagos 399, Edo 158, FCT 142, Oyo 106.

    While more victims of the virus are dying, confirmed cases appeared to have plateaued, for the fifth day running.

    After February 16, when cases hit 1,572, the numbers have been tumbling down ever since.

    While on 17 February, 869 cases were recorded, on 18 February, the figure marginally went up to 877.

    On February 19, the cases recorded reduced to 662 and on 20 February, the cases fell to 645.

    Cases marginally also increased from 521 on Sunday to 542 on Monday.

    The NCDC also reported 681 new recoveries, taking the discharged to 129,300.

    Here is a breakdown of the cases for Monday 22 February:

    Lagos-99
    Kwara-91
    Ebonyi-48
    Ogun-44
    Kaduna-42
    Oyo-33
    Ondo-25
    FCT-24
    Kebbi-23
    Osun-20
    Ekiti-17
    Nasarawa-12
    Imo-11
    Delta-10
    Gombe-9
    Kano-8
    Katsina-7
    Rivers-7
    Edo-5
    Plateau-4
    Bauchi-3

    152,616 confirmed
    129,300 discharged
    1,862 deaths