04/22/2020
Africa
Sixty-eight-year-old births twins - In Nigeria, a 68-year old woman gave birth to twins on April 19. The mother’s name has not been released, but hospital officials say she and her babies are doing well. The woman gave birth through an elective cesarean section at 37 weeks gestation, according to a statement from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.
Staff member escapes quarantine in South Sudan - The United Nations is preparing to discipline one of its WHO employees who did not self-isolate and left his post in South Sudan. The staff member was one of more than 100 people who is believed to have come in contact with someone who has COVID-19. That staff member flew out of the country on a commercial flight, according to the United Nations.
Asia
Dozens arrested in India for lynching - Police in India say they have arrested at least 100 people in connection to the death of three men. The attack was recorded on video and shows a mob lynching the men while police tried to rescue them. The men were falsely accused of being child abductors and were going to a funeral at the time of the attack. Numerous Hindu groups spoke out against the incident.
New Zealand eases lockdown - New Zealand plans to reopen some businesses and some schools while local travel rules are being relaxed, the country’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said. There are five million people who live in New Zealand, but only 12 people have died while there have been 1,440 confirmed cases of COVID-19. The country has been condemned for its response to the pandemic.
Europe
Some shops reopen in Germany - Car dealerships, bicycle stores and more have reopened in Germany as the country begins to ease its lockdown. Social distancing measures will remain in force, while other parts of the country are requiring people to wear face masks in public. Germany has had large-scale testing during the pandemic.
United Kingdom to try new COVID-19 treatment - The United Kingdom is preparing to use blood antibodies from COVID-19 survivors to treat COVID-19 patients in the hospital. Doctors are hopeful antibodies in the blood can help rid the virus. The United States has been testing similarly in over 1,500 hospitals in the country.
Latin America
Brazil President protests lockdown - Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro joined protesters who were calling for restrictions to be lifted as the country works to control COVID-19. There have been at least 38,000 confirmed cases of the virus in Brazil. Bolsonaro called the protesters patriots as he spoke at a rally in Brasilia.
Haiti has less than 65 ventilators - Haiti is a country that is home to 11 million people, but there are only 60 ventilators in the country. Haiti has tried to buy ventilators and personal protective equipment but some doctors say it is too late. There have only been 40 confirmed cases, but it is believed there is a high number of unreported cases in the country, including in remote areas.
North America
Disney to stop paying some employees - Disney is planning to stop paying over 100,000 employees this week in the United States, Europe and Asia. The company will save around $500 million by doing so. Disney still plans to provide full healthcare benefits to its staff and is telling its employees to apply for government benefits.
New Yorkers can marry over Zoom - New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an order that will allow for couples to have wedding ceremonies over Zoom. One can apply for marriage licenses remotely and wedding ceremonies can be carried out virtually. At least 13,000 people have died from COVID-19, just in New York City.
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