Daily Archive: Monday, April 6, 2020

Minister of Public Health  Volda Lawrence, this evening confirmed a fifth death in Guyana as a result of COVID-19.

Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence today announced that the number of COVID-19 cases here has risen to 31 and eight persons are in the Intensive Care Unit and one is in critical condition.

In light of the COVID-19 emergency measures effective April 3, 2020 – May 3, 2020, released by the Minister of Public Health, the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) will be closed from Thursday April 9, 2020.

(Jamaica Observer) An invention by two Jamaicans could soon determine how motor vehicles, boats, aeroplanes, and other devices with a gearbox system operate in the future.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Jamaican scientist Dr Henry Lowe is awaiting approval of a patent for a cannabis-based drug that could be a winning remedy for the novel coronavirus, The Gleaner has learnt.

(Jamaica Star) A Jamaica-born woman who has been living in Brooklyn, New York, for 16 years, said she had a near-death experience when she contracted the coronavirus.

Marcus Brian Bisram was committed to stand trial at the High Court this morning after Magistrate Renita Singh reopened the preliminary inquiry into the murder charge against him last Thursday.

(Jamaica Star) A team of officers assigned to the Portmore Operational Support Team arrested and charged a pastor on Sunday, April 5, for breaching the Disaster Risk Management (Enforcement Measures) (No 2) Order 2020.

(Trinidad Newsday) The Prime Minister extended the lock-down of Trinidad & Tobago over the covid19 pandemic until April 30, speaking at a briefing on Monday at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s, and closed all restaurants until that time.

(Trinidad Express) Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has announced that the stay at home order has been extended to April 30.

CARACAS,  (Reuters) – Venezuelan retirees Carlos Blanco, 81, and Olga Rodriguez, 78, have for more than a year been unable to purchase the diabetes medication they need, as the country’s hyperinflation has left their monthly pensions insufficient to buy even a loaf of bread.

BEIJING, (Reuters) – Mainland China reported 39 new coronavirus cases as of yesterday, up from 30 a day earlier, and the number of asymptomatic cases also surged as the government vowed tighter controls at land borders.

West Indies wicketkeeper/batsman Chadwick Walton was overjoyed to see his young son, after spending 14 days in self-quarantine after returning home from a one-month stint in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

The Guyana Court of Appeal yesterday cleared the way for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to proceed with a recount of the ballots cast in the March 2nd general and regional elections but emphasised that GECOM cannot delegate its supervisory authority to any other body.

The decision of the T&T Super League (TTSL) to throw financial support behind the former T&T Football Association (TTFA), four executive members, in their efforts to fight the world governing body for football, FIFA, through the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) in Switzerland, for removing them from office on March 17, is being challenged.

On Tuesday March 31, 2020, the PPP/C-led National COVID-19 Stakeholders’ Response Forum says it launched two campaigns – `stay at home/self-isolation’ and `everyone wear a mask’ and expects production of 27,000 cloth masks shortly.

Across the world in different sporting disciplines, siblings playing together are unique.

A “Burnhamite faction” has taken control of the PNCR and will wage a bitter fight to ensure they continue to enjoy a good life, says former PNCR parliamentarian Jerome Khan.

Cricket West Indies (CWI), for some reason, has not been able to ink lucrative television endorsements in an era where the region is home to some of the world’s most iconic T20 players.

Dear Editor, Whilst he might seem God-like to most of his failing counterparts around the world,  Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore, is just resolute in his mission for the island nation. 

A Timehri father of one was fatally stabbed yesterday following an altercation with several others.

(BBC) The power struggle over how Premier League footballers can financially assist in the fight against coronavirus is “a disgrace” and has players in a “no-win situation”, says Wayne Rooney.

BUJUMBURA, (Reuters) – Burundi is to continue playing league football despite the threat of the coronavirus pandemic, its football federation decided yesterday after a meeting of its clubs.

Dear Editor, I applaud US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, for her statement of April 2, 2020 defending her own and the US government officials’ position on the need for a fair result from the March 2nd general elections in Guyana.

The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) yesterday said that pay cuts will be implemented at the company as a result of the economic impact of COVID-19.

(BBC) Formula 1 is “in a very fragile state” as a result of the coronavirus crisis and needs big changes to survive, McLaren boss Zak Brown says.

A biker of Cummings Lodge died in an early morning accident yesterday after he lost control of the motorcycle he was riding on the Coverden, East Bank Demerara Public Road.

Dear Editor, The conduct of the March 2 elections across the country was universally considered efficient, free and fair.

The March 16th Aide Memoire governing the recount of votes at the March 2nd general elections at which a CARICOM team was to be present had recognised the supremacy of the constitution in this matter (see below).

Dear Editor, Thanks for publishing my letter on the US Ambassador’s statement on Guyana’s elections (SN: 04/04/20).

(BBC) The Champions League and Europa League could be abandoned if coronavirus restrictions remain in place into September, according to Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin.

Additional kits to test for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are being procured by the Ministry of Public Health, Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO) Dr Karen Gordon-Boyle confirmed last night.

Dear Editor,  There does not seem to be enough information being shared internationally by countries about the coronavirus.

MANCHESTER, England, (Reuters) – FIFA is getting ready to deal with complaints and appeals over wage cuts for players, producing guidelines for clubs and football bodies looking to cut costs during the stoppage caused by the coronavirus pandemic, an internal document seen by Reuters showed.

ROME, (Reuters) – The Serie A season could be extended to September or October, the head of the Italian FA (FIGC) said yesterday, warning that there could be an “avalanche of litigation” if it was not settled on the field.

As of yesterday six persons were being processed for court in Berbice after they breached the partial lockdown order that was recently issued.

(Reuters) – The United States is entering what a senior official warned yesterday would be the “hardest” week of the coronavirus crisis as the death toll mounted, but some saw glimmers of hope from a slight slowing of fatalities in hard-hit New York.

Dear Editor, Now that David Hinds, a senior member for the APNU+AFC coalition has made an open call for the destruction of the ballot boxes, “I repeat my proposal here.

(Reuters) – The PGA Championship, one of golf’s four majors, has been rescheduled for Aug.

A day after Quincy Braithwaite publicly complained of health officials refusing to test him for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) despite displaying severe symptoms, he was tested on Friday.

(Barbados Nation) Barbados has recorded the first death from novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

PORT-AU-PRINCE,  (Reuters) – Haiti yesterday reported its first death linked to the coronavirus outbreak, with 21 confirmed cases of the respiratory disease in the impoverished Caribbean nation, the Health Ministry said.

Dear Editor, Guyana is in crisis – the 2020 Elections stalemate compounded by the Corona Virus pandemic. 

Since the COVID-19 hotlines were set up, operators have been receiving prank calls which has made contact tracing for the surveillance team and the job of the hotline operators difficult.

(Trinidad Guardian) The following is the latest COVID-19 Update from the Ministry of Health… TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO COVID-19 (NOVEL CORONAVIRUS) UPDATE #76 As part of the national drive to safeguard the health of the Trinidad and Tobago population in the face of the global COVID-19 outbreak, the Ministry of Health continues to provide up-to-date information on the country’s status in this regard.

SEOUL,  (Reuters) – South Korea reported fewer than 50 new coronavirus cases yesterday for the first time since its Feb.

NEW DELHI, (Reuters) – Royal Challengers Bangalore need to rediscover the joy of cricket if they are to end their Indian Premier League (IPL) title drought, captain Virat Kohli has said.

Dear Editor, In the turbulence of argumentation about the schisms within the society – ethnic, racial, social, economic, religious, single, dual and multiple citizenships, riggers, infrastructuralists, protestors, and counter protestors, leaders and pretenders – there remains a few who are bemused about their true identity.

(BBC) Fast bowler Mark Wood says it was the “right thing” for England players to make a £500,000 donation to the England and Wales Cricket Board and selected good causes.

(Trinidad Guardian) A third bar owner has been charged with breaching the Public Health Ordinance Regulations currently governing the COVID-19 crisis in Trinidad and Tobago.

(Reuters) – American Airlines Group Inc said late yesterday it would suspend more flights in and out of New York City’s three main airports for about a month, joining other airlines that have cut flights to the area following a spike in coronavirus cases.

Dear Editor, The AFC has lost all the bargaining power they had, to call for a national unity government.

In light of the newest confirmed Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Guyana, the Supreme Court of Judiciary yesterday updated Emergency Directions for all Courts in Guyana.

(Reuters) – Sri Lanka’s Twenty20 squad needs some adjustments, said coach Mickey Arthur, who will be overseeing the team’s bid for a second 20-overs World Cup title later this year.

(Trinidad Express) It’s official. The Health Ministry is now recommending that people wear masks when out in public.

LONDON,  (Reuters) – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was admitted to hospital for tests yesterday after suffering persistent coronavirus symptoms 10 days after testing positive for the virus, though Downing Street said he remained in charge of the government.

Dear Editor, The sweeping powers has swept the caretaker president’s order of closing restaurants, clubs  and bars and other public places  at 23 59 H on Friday, April 3 2020 to implementation of 18 00 H to 06 00 H (6 00 pm to 6 00 am) curfew with immediate effect until May 3 2020.

The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) yesterday began the distribution of relief hampers to vulnerable communities as part of the government’s efforts to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Alissa Trotz Editor of the In the Diaspora column The Covid-19 pandemic finds Guyanese at home and abroad plagued by worry about how our public health system, found sorely wanting at the best of times, but straining at the sinews in the context of the present political crisis since the March 2 election, will cope.

(Barbados Nation) In the wake of layoffs at LIAT and suspension of several services due to COVID-19, Minister of Tourism Kerrie Symmonds says the airline is still critical at this time.

MELBOURNE, (Reuters) – Organisers expect this year’s Twenty20 World Cup to be a success even if it has to vie with Australian rules football and rugby league for viewers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the head of the organising committee said yesterday.

In the quicksand of the twin viruses of COVID-19 and the most naked elections fraud, it is important to recap why five weeks after general elections a President is yet to be sworn in.

JOHANNESBURG/ADDIS ABABA,  (Reuters) – About 20 million jobs are at risk in Africa as the continent’s economies are projected to shrink this year due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, according an African Union (AU) study.

Dear Editor, Elections were held over a month ago. To date GECOM has not lived up to its mandate to provide a fair and transparent declaration of the results.

Men’s store Urban Life and Sports store MVP Sports, both located at Giftland Mall, have thrown their support behind the Ministry of Public Health’s effort to fight the current COVID-19 pandemic by  donating in excess of 5000 pairs of gloves valued just over $500,000  to be used by the frontline health workers at this critical time. 

The United States Government is entirely non-partisan about which party wins Guyana’s 2020 elections.