Riviera Radio News Saturday 2nd May 2020

 

Lowest number of deaths reported in five weeks - France has reported 218 coronavirus deaths  in a 24-hour period this is the lowest number of deaths recorded in more than five weeks.

To date France has reported 24,594 deaths since the beginning of the epidemic.

141 fewer people were being treated on Friday in intensive care units.

Regional - 94 new cases of Covid-19 coronavirus were detected in 24 hours, according to the latest figures for the Provence Alpes Côté d’Azur region bringing the total number of cases to 14,890.

The decline in the number of hospitalizations continues in the Paca with 1,500 people hospitalized, showing 32 less in the last 24 hours.

247 patients are still in intensive care. The death toll stands at  704, while 3,858 people have returned home since the start of the epidemic.

Green light given to use blood plasma from cured patients - Meanwhile France's drug agency has given the green light for blood plasma from cured Covid-19 patients to be used to treat those who are critically ill with the disease – albeit under strict conditions.

The idea is to transfer the virus fighting antibodies from the blood of someone who has recovered from the virus to a newly sick person, who does yet have those antibodies.

The method has been used by more than a century to treat diphtheria, the Spanish flu, measles and chicken pox.

City council meeting Nice - A press release from the City of Nice has been published this morning presenting the city’s agenda for a meeting on Monday 4th May which will naturally, be focused on the current health crisis.

The meeting will define measures to continue “the support for the health, safety and employment of citizens and particularly the most vulnerable", says the city council.

The local council proposes to allocate an exceptional subsidy of 3,3 million euros to the Center Communal d'Action Sociale, under the code of social action for families, in order to help the most fragile during the health crisis.

As well as subsidies to various associations currently working  in the social field it proposes an exceptional food aid to support seniors over 65 in the context of the health crisis.


The local Council also proposes, taking into account the worrying situation of the economic situation in the region, to grant a total exemption of rent, throughout the period of closure to premises rented through the city of Nice.  

It’s all suggested to create an exceptional  bonus for the agents of local services mobilized within the framework of the current health crisis.

And finally the city council plans to put in place a free service of childcare for priority employees for children up to the age of 12. 

 

Concert - Rock legend Mick Jagger and Hollywood's Will Smith will be among dozens of international stars taking part in a four-hour concert on Sunday to raise funds for the battle against coronavirus in India.

The concert aims to raise millions of dollars for more than 100 groups providing food and other essential services during the crisis.

Concert organisers said the money was needed "for those who have no work and no home and do not know where their next meal is coming from".

India's 1.3 billion people have been under lockdown since March 25 with the restrictions, while recently eased, set to last until at least May 17.

India has so far reported 37,335 coronavirus cases and 1,218 deaths, with more than 2,000 new infections in the last 24 hours.

 


 

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