Ethiopia joins WHO-Led Covid-19 medical research
Ethiopia joined World Health Organisation (WHO) led COVID-19 medical research initiative, according to Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI).
In its media briefing today regarding the on-going research works, Deputy Director-General of the Institute, Dr. Alemseged Abdissa said the institute is working on drug test in collaboration with the WHO.
Go deeper: The drug test will work in conjunction with 30 countries around the world, he said adding Ethiopia after Egypt and South Africa has joined the research network from Africa.
Egypt receives Chinese coronavirus vaccine, to provide it free for citizens
Egypt has received Thursday, the first batches of the Chinese coronavirus vaccine, the Egyptian Ministry of Health said.
Egypt’s Minister of Health, Hala Zayed said during a press conference at Cairo Airport that the new Chinese vaccine will be available for citizens 100% free of charge, as part of the directives of the political leadership.
Go deeper: Zayed has said that the priority in distributing the coronavirus vaccine would be for medical staff, people with chronic diseases, and the elderly.
The health minister stated earlier that Egypt has reserved doses of a potential coronavirus vaccine developed by the US pharmaceutical corporation Pfizer, which would cover up to 20 percent of the country’s needs.
US donates coronavirus supplies worth Shs6.8b
The United States through its Department of Defence (DoD) has donated Covid-19 testing reagents and personal protective equipment (PPEs) worth $1.87 million (approximately Shs6.8b) to help the government of Uganda in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
During the hand-over ceremony of the first batch of supplies at the Ministry of Health offices in Kampala yesterday, the US Embassy deputy chief of mission, Christopher Krafft, said they are ready to work hand-in-hand with Ugandan partners to overcome the pandemic.
Go deeper: The donations come at a time when Uganda has reported increased community cases of Covid-19 across the country, something that has overwhelmed the health facilities and testing kits.
South Africa’s youth calls for tougher COVID measures as cases surge
Young South Africans are calling for tougher coronavirus measures as the country reports a spike in cases and declared a second wave.
Why? On Wednesday, South Africa reported 6,700 new cases, the highest since August, bringing the total number of cases since the outbreak to over 800,000 with more than 22,000 deaths.
South Africa’s new wave is likely to spike so quickly that it could overwhelm hospital capacities in some regions, warned the country’s health minister Zweli Mkhize.
Senegal top year-end Africa rankings for fourth straight time
Senegal has been crowned FIFA’s African top team of the year for the fourth time in a row in the latest world rankings released on Thursday.
Tunisia and African champions Algeria complete the continental top teams podium on second and third best ranked teams.
And thanks to Morocco, Nigeria, Egypt and Cameroon, Africa ends 2020 with seven representatives in the World Top 50, one spot more than last year.
