Russia has defended the World Health Organisation (WHO) against recent criticism by United States (U.S.) President Donald Trump, arguing that the United Nations (UN) body is contributing significantly to the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
Last week, Trump said the WHO “really blew” its response to the virus by focusing too much on China and giving the U.S. bad advice at the beginning of the outbreak.
In a tweet, he also said Washington would take a “good look” at its WHO funding.
The WHO “is now doing a lot to curb the pandemic,” Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told state television on Saturday, according to the TASS news agency.
He said Kremlin also wants the WHO to become more effective, but that for such to happen, states would have to do more to support the global health organisation.
On Friday, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas also praised the “indispensable” role the WHO was playing.
Should Washington end its WHO contributions, Peskov expressed hope that it would not weaken the global body.
He also said he hoped the U.S. would overcome the coronavirus crisis.
More than half a million people are infected with the virus in the U.S., according to data compiled by the Johns Hopkins University.
Relations between Moscow and Washington have been strained for years over a range of international conflicts.
Nonetheless, the presidents of both countries were able to hold a constructive dialogue, Peskov said.
“Relations are bad, but the presidents speak to one another,” he noted.
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth said on Saturday that coronavirus “would not overcome us” as she delivered her second rallying message to the nation in a week.
The 93-year-old monarch, who is the symbolic head of the Church of England, also stated that “Easter isn’t cancelled” in her first ever address to mark the Christian holy day.
“This year, Easter will be different for many of us, but by keeping apart, we keep others safe.
“But Easter isn’t cancelled; indeed, we need Easter as much as ever,” she said.
Last Sunday, Elizabeth gave only the fifth televised address of her 68-year reign to say that if Britons stayed resolute in the face of a lockdown and self-isolation, they would beat the COVID-19 pandemic.
On that occasion, she made reference to her experience of World War Two, but this time the monarch, who takes her religious faith seriously, used the Easter message to reinforce that message.
“The discovery of the risen Christ on the first Easter Day gave his followers new hope and fresh purpose, and we can all take heart from this,” she said in the audio recording on Twitter.
“We know that coronavirus will not overcome us.
“As dark as death can be – particularly for those suffering with grief – light and life are greater.
“May the living flame of the Easter hope be a steady guide as we face the future,” she added.
Her message comes as Britain’s death toll nears 10,000, with 917 more deaths reported by health officials on Saturday.
The queen is usually joined by other senior members of the royal family at a traditional Easter service at Windsor Castle, where she is staying with her husband Prince Philip, 98.
However, the service will not take place this year because of restrictions on social gatherings including a ban on church services.
“I wish everyone of all faiths and denominations a blessed Easter,” the queen said.
Meanwhile, the Institute of Maternal and Child Health (Ayinke House), Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, has recorded a COVID-19 related death, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
Ayinke House is a 170-bed healthcare centre, upgraded on April 24, 2019, and domiciled at LASUTH, Ikeja.
The patient was referred to Ayinke House from Alimosho General Hospital, and was admitted on April 8 for ailment of “puerperal sepsis” with a high index of suspicion of COVID-19.
Puerperal Sepsis is an infection in the female genital tract within 10 days of childbirth, miscarriage, or abortion.
According to a source, the patient’s temperature was high and her sample was taken for COVID-19 test on April 9, with the outcome of the result being positive for COVID-19.
“Unfortunately, the patient had died by the time we got the result,” the source said.
A memo by Prof. Tokunboh Fabamwo, Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, to staff members of the hospital on Saturday, confirmed the incident.
It reads: “From the CMD, Saturday 11th April 2020 CORONA VIRUS POSITIVE MORTALITY IN AYINKE HOUSE.
“A case of puerperal sepsis with a high index of suspicion of Covid-19 was admitted on Wednesday.
“LASUTH management was notified on Thursday about the suspicion.
“The normal protocol for testing was activated and the test was carried out. The patient eventually died this morning and the test came out positive.
“The corpse is awaiting evacuation to Yaba. The emergency unit where she was managed will be fumigated immediately and shut down for 48 hours.
“All the doctors and nurses as well as other health workers who came in contact with the patient are being audited regarding the practice of universal precautions.
“The news from HOD OB & Gyn is that it was unlikely any of them did not practice universal precautions since there was a high level of suspicion.
“In case we find any staff who came in contact without precautions, such staff will self isolate and be tested in five days time.
“The Honourable Commissioner for Health has been briefed about the development and is in total agreement with all the steps that we are taking.”
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, on Saturday, announced the recovery and discharge of another four COVID-19 patients, including 11 years old boy, having tested negative twice to the virus.
Sanwo-Olu, through his verified Twitter handle, said that the patients all males, including an 11 year-old-boy were discharged from the State Isolation facilities to reunite with the society, bringing to 50 the discharged patients in Lagos.
According to him, three of the patients were from the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Yaba, and one from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba.
He said that the patients were discharged after testing negative twice consecutively for COVID-19.
The governor appealed to residents to stay at home, practice social distancing and observe the highest possible personal and hand hygiene.
“We are on a steady course to victory, let’s all make little sacrifices for the greater good,” Sanwo-Olu, the State COVID-19 Incident Commander, said in the tweet.
The governor added that the state would take care of its health workers, appreciating them for always being ready, hardworking and passionate in the fight against COVID-19 and other medical conditions.
“Thank you for your sacrifice, even during #Easter that allows other residents to stay safely at home. We appreciate you,” he said.
The governor said that the state’s plan for healthcare would touch every level from infrastructure to welfare and capacity development.
Sanwo-Olu said that working with the state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, he would continue to improve and reach new levels in the healthcare delivery.
“I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to every health worker in Lagos. You are all heroes and I can’t thank you enough.
“We will get through this, and we will learn the lessons from #COVID19; so, we are more resilient in the future,” he said.
Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State, on Saturday, said 10 COVID-19 patients had been discharged from the state COVID-19 treatment centre according to NCDC protocol after testing negative twice to the virus.
Oyetola disclosed this while addressing journalists at the Government House in Osogbo while giving updates on efforts at the management of COVID-19 in the state.
He said the 10 discharged patients makes it a total of 11 COVID-19 patients that had been discharged from the 20 cases in the state.
“When I updated you on the state of the management of the Coronavirus pandemic in the State of Osun eight days ago, I disclosed that 110 of the 127 Ivory Coast returnees who tested negative for the Coronavirus had been released to join their families, while the remaining 17 whose results came back positive were receiving treatment and care at our facility in Ejigbo.
“I also expressed confidence that the 17 patients would soon be released to join their families.
“I am happy to inform you today that 10 of the 17 patients have tested negative twice for the virus in line with the National Centre for Disease Control and will soon be released to join their families and live their normal lives.
“The remaining seven patients are responding to treatment and shall, by the grace of God, soon follow in the steps of their colleagues.
“You will recall that of the two earlier cases, one had tested negative and had since been discharged.
“Consequently, the release of 10 patients today brings to 11, the number of cases that have tested negative twice and have been discharged after treatment in the State of Osun.
“This development underscores our belief that Coronavirus disease is not a death sentence, but is treatable if the patients surrender themselves for treatment on time.
“These successful treatments should also encourage persons who are feeling unwell to come out for testing and treatment if found positive.
“They are a proof that we have the right equipment and personnel to handle the Coronavirus pandemic.
“We thank our people for their understanding and for complying with the directives imposed by government and the relevant agencies.
“We urge them all to continue to obey the regulations to avert community transmission.” he said.
Meanwhile, the state government has commenced investigation into claims that a few bags of rice out of the over 6000 bags distributed as palliatives to cushion the effect of the lockdown on people of the state, are adulterated.
Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, said the government had received complaints that some of the distributed bags of rice may not have met the expected quality.
Egbemode noted that the state government was pained by the development and had immediately begun investigation to establish the source of the affected few bags.
She said: “The State of Osun, under the leadership of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, is particularly pained by this development, considering the fact that it has never compromised quality in its provision of economic stimulus for the people of Osun in spite of its limited resources.
“The State Government of Osun, under the leadership of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, is a very responsible and responsive government that places premium on the well-being of its people and would not do anything to jeopardize its citizens’ health.
“Upon receipt of the complaints, the State Government has immediately begun investigations to establish the source of the few bags that appear not to have met the quality expected.”
The Commissioner disclosed that as part of the investigation, the State government had invited all suppliers and vendors from whom the relief materials were purchased, for questioning in order to dentify the source of the problem.
“We assure our citizens that upon unraveling what went wrong , the State Government will take necessary punitive measures against the erring Supplier(s) or Vendor(s), including de-listing such vendor from the Government’s directory and even proclaiming a disclaimer to that effect,” she added.
Mrs. Egbemode also revealed that all the over 6000 bags of rice were purchased from dealers in Osun, which she said was part of government’s efforts to empower its people and also stimulate the local economy.
“If the over 6,020 bags were gotten from Lagos or Abuja, we would have denied our market traders the opportunity to supply and to compensate them for the lockdown,” she added.
The Commissioner restated the commitment of the State government toward protecting its citizens from potential and actual threats, stressing that the “development would not deter the State from dedicatedly seeking to improve the welfare of the people of Osun, especially the vulnerable group, during the time of the State-wide lockdown.”
Traders in some parts of Kaduna, on Saturday, defied the state government lockdown order to make brisk sales at black markets located within neighborhoods just as residents rush to buy food items ahead of the Easter festivity.
It would be recalled that the Kaduna State Government had placed total restriction of movement from Friday, April 3, with exception of Tuesday and Wednesday weekly.
A visit to Television Market at Unguwan Yelwa and Sabo areas showed brisk business activities involving sellers and buyers of items like fish, beef, perishables and other food items.
Mrs Grace Ezekiel, a pretty trader who sells perishables, said that although she was aware of the restriction order, she needed to sale off the perishable items to avoid incurring losses.
She also said that most of the sellers were at the market following high demand from residents of the area.
“The situation is not palatable for everyone, including petty traders who depend on the little gains they make to cater for their families,” she said.
Also, Mrs Grace Andy who sells vegetables such as cabbages, tomatoes, pepper, carrots, green beans and pears at Sabo Market, said she came to the market because she knew her wares would be on demand.
“It is out of our concern for the people who need food to survive that we risked coming out today.
“If government said market can only operate Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so what happens to weekends?” she wandered.
Mr Gabriel Peter, a parent, said he was at the black market in Sabo to buy a few food items not necessarily because of the Easter festivity, but to meet his family needs by providing food at home.
“As you can see, even members of the Vigilante can be seen making purchases and that’s to show hunger has eaten deep, irrespective of your profession,” he said.
Also, Mrs Sarah Musa of Sabo area said that the turnout was much as there were fears of strict enforcement of the restriction of movement order on Saturday, as such, the people took advantage of the laxity of the enforcement in their neighbourhoods to make purchases.
