Roundup: WHO chief isolates, Ryanair hit by record losses

Madrid Desk, Nov 2 (efe-epa).- The head of the World Health Organization is self-isolating after coming into contact with a person who tested positive for Covid-19 and budget airline Ryanair reported record losses as the pandemic continues to take its toll on the industry.

Portugal marked a day of mourning for those who have died as a result of coronavirus and Hungary recorded a record number of Covid-related deaths in 24 hours.

WHO

WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced on social media that he was self-isolating and working from home after he was identified as a contact of someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.

“I am well and without symptoms but will self-quarantine over the coming days, in line with WHO protocols, and work from home,” he tweeted.

“It is critically important that we all comply with health guidance. This is how we will break chains of COVID19 transmission, suppress the virus, and protect health systems.”

The WHO is coordinating the global Covid-19 response with governments around the world as well as aiding in the campaign to find a vaccine for the virus.

At least 46 million people have contracted the virus worldwide and more than a million people have died from it. A second wave of the pandemic is currently sweeping across Europe.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

Irish low-cost airline Ryanair reported a loss of 197 million euros ($230M) in the first half of the fiscal year (April to September) driven by the fact that 99% of its planes have been grounded by the pandemic.