NEWS

Why coronavirus is killing more people in Italy than elsewhere

Published

6 years ago

March 23, 2020

Italy has been the hardest-hit country since the outbreak of COVID-19 in Europe, with the highest mortality rate and the most confirmed cases in the region. Local medical analysts said there are multiple factors behind the tragic data.

Last week Thursday 427 people died in the country. On Friday, 627 patients died, the highest leap in fatalities in a single day in the country, bringing its COVID-19 death toll to 4,032, according to official statistics from Italy’s Civil Protection Department.

The fatalities were worse the day after, with 793 dying and death toll jumping to a record 4,825, out of an estimated 53,578 cases.

The current COVID-19 morality rate in Italy stands at about 8 percent, which is higher than the global average.

According to the World Health Organisation, as of Sunday , there were 318,410 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 13,671 deaths worldwide, with the global average mortality rate standing at some 4 percent.

Local medical experts told Xinhua that factors such as untested mild cases and a high proportion of the elderly population are among the factors behind the high mortality rate in Italy.

Fabrizio Pregliasco, a researcher at Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health at the University of Milan, said that many mild or non-symptomatic cases have not been confirmed due to the insufficient diagnostic capacity in the early stage of the coronavirus outbreak.

He said that if the number of unconfirmed cases is included in the cumulative number of confirmed cases, the mortality rate in Italy may be close to that of elsewhere.

Currently, Italy has been intensifying its testing capacity steadily. According to the Italian Ministry of Health, the country had performed more than 180,000 tests nationwide as of Thursday, which are among the highest in the world.

Silvio Paone, a viral disease researcher at Rome’s La Sapienza University, agreed with Pregliasco, saying another factor is the larger elderly population in Italy.

According to a report released by the Italian National Bureau of Statistics in February 2019, Italy’s total population was about 60.39 million as of January 2019, and the population aged over 65 was 13.8 million, accounting for 22.8 percent of the total population.

Italy ranks the second in the world in terms of ageing, only behind Japan, according to the World Bank data for 2018.

Italy’s Civil Protection Department chief Angelo Borrelli repeatedly stressed at regular press conferences held in Italy that the majority of deaths were among the elderly. He provided a report on March 9, saying that about 31 percent of the deaths were aged 70-79, about 44 percent aged 80-89, and about 14 percent aged over 90.

In another report published by Italy’s Superior Institute of Health (ISS) on March 13, the statistics on deaths from the coronavirus showed that the average age of deaths in Italy was 80. If considered by age, the mortality rate of Italian patients infected with coronavirus would not be higher than that of other countries.

In addition, the ISS report said that 46 percent to 47 percent of those deaths had two to three or more other diseases. The institute pointed out that among those deaths, most cases had suffered hypertension, ischemic heart disease or diabetes before.

Director of the ISS Silvio Brusaferro said that research confirmed that the elderly and the people with other diseases are more vulnerable to COVID-19, and should be the focus of the coronavirus prevention and control effort.

NEWS

Becky Slim Crowned AFROMAICA June Edition Dancehall Queen

Published

2 days ago

July 1, 2026

Baba Blow

Becky Slim Crowned AFROMAICA June Edition Dancehall Queen

AFROMAICA which is Nigeria’s Number 1 monthly urban reggae dancehall party delivered another unforgettable celebration of reggae and dancehall culture on june 25th 2026 as Emediong Emmanuel Edet, popularly known as Becky Slim won the cash prize of #500,000, she emerged the overall winner after an outstanding performance that earned her the admiration of both the organizers and the audiences at Club Plan B by Carabana. Afromaica happens every last thursday of the month at same venue.

Representing Kenya also know as Slim Shady showcased remarkable stage presence, confidence, and authentic dancehall energy throughout the competition. Her captivating performance distinguished her from a lineup of talented contestants, securing her the coveted Dancehall Queen title in what proved to be one of the most competitive editions of the event.

The June edition featured an impressive display of reggae and dancehall artistry, highlighting the depth of emerging talent across the African music scene. Contestants thrilled fans with energetic performances and a passion for preserving the vibrant spirit of the genre.

Adding to the excitement of the event recorded the presence of several notable entertainment personalities who came out to support the movement. Popular Facebook content creator MC Mbakara, respected reggae artist Tossy Young, and dancehall heavyweight Bclean were all in attendance, lending their support to AFROMAICA‘s vision of promoting reggae and urban dancehall music while encouraging the next generation of performers.

Their presence further demonstrated the growing influence of AFROMAICA as a platform that continues to unite entertainers, content creators, artists, and music lovers under one cultural movement dedicated to the advancement of reggae and urban dancehall across Africa.

The event is proudly powered by Spartan Media Ltd and Club Plan B, with valuable support from Element Irish Whiskey, TM Luxury Apartments, Aurum Trading Exchange, Jogab Logistics, The Cove, and Isno Hotels. Their partnership played a significant role in delivering a well-organized and memorable experience for contestants, guests, and fans.

As AFROMAICA continues to expand its impact on the African entertainment landscape, anticipation is already building for the next edition, where more gifted dance and lyrical artists will bring mind blowing performances while celebrating the rich heritage and enduring influence of reggae and urban dancehall music.

Congratulations to Emediong Emmanuel Edet (@Beckslim001 on tiktok ) on her well-deserved victory at the AFROMAICA Dancehall Queen June Edition. Her success stands as a testament to hard work, talent, and dedication, inspiring aspiring artists to pursue excellence while keeping the spirit of reggae and urban dancehall alive.

See Exclusive photos below

NEWS

Popular Nigerian Singer Ceena Gears Up for October Release as He Joins Forces with Speroachbeatz (Watch Video)

Published

2 weeks ago

June 17, 2026

Baba Blow

Popular Nigerian Singer Ceena Gears Up for October Release as He Joins Forces with Speroachbeatz

Nigerian music sensation Ceena has once again set tongues wagging after being spotted in the studio with legendary producer Speroachbeatz, fueling anticipation for what could become one of the biggest records of 2026.

Although details surrounding the project remain under wraps, including the official title and release date, sources close to the camp reveal that the highly anticipated collaboration is expected to arrive in October 2026.

Known for his consistency, creativity, and ability to deliver captivating records, Ceena appears determined to elevate his career to a new heights. The singer reportedly disclosed that the forthcoming track is designed to serve as an anthem that listeners from all walks of life can relate to and embrace.

The studio session has already generated excitement among fans and industry stakeholders, especially considering Speroachbeatz’s impressive track record of producing chart-topping hits for some of Africa’s biggest stars like Davido.

With Ceena’s growing influence and Speroachbeatz’s production genius, expectations are high that this collaboration will make a significant impact upon release.

As the countdown to October begins, music lovers will be eagerly awaiting further updates on what promises to be a spectacular hit project from the talented singer.

See video teaser below;

NEWS

How “Hardest Truth” Became One Of Nigeria’s Most Searched Emerging Songs and Number 4 Song On Shazam Worldwide Chart.

Published

1 month ago

May 20, 2026

Baba Blow

In a music industry constantly chasing noise, controversy and trends, fast-rising Nigerian artist Jubet is building momentum differently, through emotional honesty.

Born Akanbi Oluwa Jubelo Emmanuel and raised in Ilora, Oyo State, Jubet’s journey into music started long before the numbers began rising. During his secondary school days, he developed his passion for music through freestyle sessions and raw self-expression, gradually shaping the emotionally driven sound that listeners are now connecting with across streaming platforms and social media.

A graduate of Obong University, Akwa Ibom State, where he won the Best Performing Artist Award in 2025, Jubet represents a new generation of artists using music to communicate pain, reality, heartbreak, struggle, reflection and survival in a deeply relatable way.

His breakout record, “Hardest Truth,” has quickly become one of the most emotionally resonant emerging songs in Nigeria’s digital music space.

Within just TWO WEEKS of release, the song has generated:

• Over 119,600 Spotify monthly listeners
• More than 504,000 Spotify streams
• Over 1.3 million Audiomack streams
• More than 406,000 Boomplay streams
• More than 411,000 YouTube audio views
• Over 281,805 Shazams
• More than 900,000 TikTok user-generated contents (UGC)
• #1 on Shazam Viral Nigeria
• #1 Shazam in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda and Zambia
• #4 Shazam Worldwide
• #60 Shazam United Kingdom
• #109 Shazam Canada
• #133 Shazam United States
• Spotify Nigeria Top 100 entry
• Apple Music chart entries across multiple African countries
• Placement across dozens of editorial playlists on Audiomack and Boomplay

The rapid growth has been driven largely by organic audience connection, emotional relatability and massive social sharing across platforms, with listeners strongly connecting to the song’s raw honesty and reflective storytelling.

What makes Jubet’s rise stand out is not just the numbers, but the emotional relationship listeners are building with the music. Across social media, fans continue to describe “Hardest Truth” as deeply relatable, emotionally painful, honest and reflective of real-life experiences many young people silently go through.

Rather than positioning himself around luxury, hype or internet theatrics, Jubet’s music speaks directly to people navigating heartbreak, betrayal, pressure, emotional struggles and everyday realities.

As momentum around “Hardest Truth” continues to grow globally, Jubet is steadily emerging as one of the new emotionally driven voices to watch in Nigeria’s evolving music landscape.

Jubet is currently managed under the Louiza Williams -led LOUI-K EMPIRE LTD, as efforts continue toward building his long-term creative and commercial growth.

Listen to “Hardest Truth”: https://linktr.ee/jubetjayyouhttps://linktr.ee/jubetjayyou