Covid-19 Big Data April 21, 2020

News headlines and positive stories are below the numbers and maps.

Top ten most affected countries

News

1. Stockholm could have 'herd immunity' by next month, Swedish health chief claims

People enjoy the spring weather in Stockholm over the weekend | Image Source: Getty

The population of the Swedish capital Stockholm could achieve “herd immunity” from coronavirus within weeks, a health chief has claimed.

Dr Anders Tegnell, the man responsible for drawing up the country’s controversial coronavirus strategy, said infection rates in the capital are slowing because people had developed a resistance.

“According to our modellers, we are starting to see so many immune people in the population in Stockholm that it is starting to have an effect on the spread of the infection,” he told local media.

“Our models point to some time in May.”

2. China, Zimbabwe to step up pandemic fight

China and Zimbabwe have vowed to strengthen cooperation and join forces to fight the COVID-19 pandemic as it spreads on the African continent.

President Xi Jinping and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa reached the consensus during their recent exchange of congratulatory messages on the 40th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations on Saturday.

Xi said that China and Zimbabwe have always adhered to mutual trust and mutual support over the past four decades and the relationship has withstood the test of time and the challenges of the international situation.

3. 20-year-old is making ventilators with local materials to support Nigeria’s COVID-19 fight

In partnership with other Nigerian innovators, Usman Dalhatu, 20, built a local ventilator, which he has now transformed into a portable exceptional ultra-modern E-vent automatic ventilator. Dalhatu named the equipment RESPIRE-19.

Local media reported last Thursday the young innovator and his partners; Dr. Yunusa Muhammad Garba of the Human Anatomy Department, Gombe State University and Aliyu Hassan, a graduate of Mechatronics Engineering presented the RESPIRE-19 to the governor of Nigerian State of Gombe, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya.

Yahaya commended the trio saying: “We are indeed proud of you,” The Punch reported. “If we can go back to the rudiments, pursue and improve on what we have, we can be like Japan and China who utilized their local talents to achieve greatness. We have the brains and intellectual resources to become a reference point like other developed nations.”

4. Swedish Princess Volunteers At Hospital

Princess Sofia of Sweden has swapped her tiara for scrubs by reducing her royal duties in order to volunteer as a medical assistant at a Stockholm hospital to support staff dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic.

According to People, the royal completed an intensive online training course and will assist with non-medical duties like shifts in the kitchen, cleaning and disinfecting.

5. A Perfect Rainbow Appeared In New York City

Image Credit: GARY HERSHORN GETTY IMAGES

New York state is one of the worst hit area of the United States when it comes to the Coronavirus pandemic. On Easter Monday, residents in the city were given something to smile about as a full rainbow appeared over the Hudson river.

6. The Himalayas Become Visible in Punjab For First Time In Years

According to CNN, locals in the Punjab region of India have been able to see the Himalayas for the first time in decades due to reduced levels of pollution since India's Covid-19 lockdown. Delhi is believed to have experienced a 44% reduction in air pollution levels in the first day or so of lockdown.

7. Random act of good during the pandemic

In Massachusetts, before a mandatory shut down of shops was ordered, a 'mystery man' bought all the flowers in one florist and distributed them to the town of Needham's inhabitants.