Health

Breaking: Seyi Makinde Tests Positive for Covid-19

By Web News 1374

Oyo state governor, Engr Seyi Makinde has tested positive for coronavirus.
He confirmed this via his twitter handle @seyiamakinde, according to the tweet:
“I just received my COVID-19 confirmation test result, it is POSITIVE. I am asymptomatic and will continue to self-isolate.

I have designated Prof Temitope Alonge, former Chief Medical Director of the University College, Ibadan, as the Head of COVID-19 Task Force while I recover fully. Please continue to comply with all the directives from the COVID-19 Task Force. Stay home, stay safe”.

@seyiamakinde

Health

Covid-19: Oyo LG Caretaker Chairmen Embark on Grassroots sensitization

By Web News 702

The Caretaker Chairmen in Oyo state have taken a step further in combating the deadly Corona virus disease ravaging the whole world by providing materials to prevent the spread of the virus in their local government area.

The sensitization programme was held in Akinyele, Ibarapa North and Atiba local government areas of the state.

The Caretaker chairmen distributed hand sanitizers, soaps and bowl to markets in their domains.

Distribution of these items was also extended to Okada garages for proper Hygiene.

In a remark, caretaker chairman, Ibarapa North Mr. Iliasu Shittu, while sensitizing the people of his local government advised them to abide by the rules and regulations guiding the prevention of the virus as directed by the government.

His counterpart from Atiba local government in Oyo, Mr. Ibrahim Akinkunmi expressed joy for the large turn-out of the people and commended the state government for its efforts at tackling covid-19 in the state.

They hailed the state government for Stay-at-home directive given to the people of the state to prevent the spread of covid-19 otherwise known as Corona virus.

Adebisi Iyabo

Health

Covid-19 Patient Discharged in Oyo

By Web News 646

The US returnee who tested positive to coronavirus in Oyo state has been released from the COVID-19 isolation centre.

The release of the patient was consequent upon the completion of his treatment at the Agbami Chest Hospital isolation centre, Ibadan.

The American returnee had initially tested negative only for the second test to read positive.

The index case had been on self-isolation at a private residence in Ibadan until he was transferred to the Isolation centre at Agbami, Jericho area of Ibadan on March 23.

A statement by the state’s Incident Manager on Covid-19 in the state, Dr Taiwo Ladipo notes that the index case was released after two consecutive negative tests.

The statement also adds that the confirmed case spent six days in the isolation centre and had two negative tests.

Adebisi Iyabo

Foreign

Coronavirus: Huge crowds as India lockdown sparks mass migration

By Web News 938

Streets around the Indian capital, Delhi, have been filled with people walking to reach their villages in neighboring states.

Most of them are daily-wage workers who are now out of work after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a complete lockdown of the country on the 24th of March to halt the spread of corona virus.

In the absence of money and jobs, they are desperate to reach their villages. Some found government-run buses to reach home and others just continued to walk.

BBC News

News Analysis

Examining the Efforts of Ondo State Government at Preventing Coronavirus

By Web News 1752 Post a comment

Coronavirus, also known as Covid-19 is one disease that is currently ravaging the world with so many deaths recorded and new cases reported by the day.

Nigeria happens to be one of the countries of the world facing the challenge of coronavirus as it was imported into the country in February by an Italian national who has now recovered from the disease.

The entry of Covid-19 into Nigeria no doubt sent shivers down the spines of every Nigerian for the fact that it has no cure for now and that it is highly infectious, killing people by the day especially In Asia, Europe and America.

Since the emergence of this disease in Nigeria, the federal government has deployed all necessary measures to contain its spread while ensuring that victims get the best of medical care to prevent death from coronavirus.

Governors of states where confirmed cases of coronavirus have been announced have also put in place various safety measures to stem the tide of the viral disease.

It is noteworthy that even states where a single case of Covid-19 infection has not been recorded, are not leaving anything to chance in ensuring that the disease does not catch them unawares.

One of such states is Ondo, where the government wasted no time in announcing some safety measures towards preventing the entry of coronavirus into the state and also contain it in case of any eventuality. 

The first step was to embark massive media awareness campaign sensitizing people on the dangers of Coronavirus and the need to increase both environmental and personal hygiene especially regular hand washing with soap and running water to keep it away.

Another step being taken by the Ondo State Government against Covid-19 is the activation of its rapid response mechanism, mounting of surveillance on all border towns, ban on interstate travels, the closure of schools, markets, and worship centres.

Besides, the government has also directed workers on grade level one to twelve to work from home while Governor Akeredolu has also cancelled all official activities for two weeks, all in the bid to reduce the chance of contracting the disease.

Other safety measures are the ban on political gathering, social gathering and the convergence of more than fifty people at a time.

The government has also set up a task force to ensure total compliance with the shutting of markets, worship centres.

To cap it all, Governor Akeredolu directed all members of the state executive council to proceed to their local government areas to sensitise the people on the deadly virus.

An awareness video post by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu

These steps have no doubt helped Ondo State in keeping coronavirus away thus becoming the only state in the Southwest of Nigeria that has not recorded any confirmed case of Covid-19.

While the government, through the Ministries of Health and Information has promised to introduce more precautionary measures against the disease as the days go by, residents are also calling on the government to sustain the tempo to help Ondo state remain coronavirus-free.

Stakeholders believe that if this is done, more people will live beyond the pandemic.

Adebukola Bardi

Health

Covid-19 Case Update

By Web News 28456

Fourteen new cases of covid-19 have been reported in Nigeria; 9 in Lagos and 5 in FCT
As at 09:30 pm 29th March there are 111 confirmed cases of covid-19 reported in Nigeria with 1 death.
Currently:
Lagos- 68
FCT- 21
Ogun- 3
Enugu- 2
Ekiti- 1
Oyo- 7
Edo- 2
Bauchi- 2
Osun-2
Rivers-1
Benue- 1
Kaduna- 1
@NCDCgov

Health

Covid-19 Update

By Web News 20052

Eight new cases of covid-19 have been reported in Nigeria, 2 in FCT, 4 in Oyo, 1 in Kaduna and 1 in Osun State
As at 10:40 pm 28th March there are 97 confirmed cases of covid-19 reported in Nigeria with 1 death.
Currently:
Lagos- 59
FCT- 16
Ogun- 3
Enugu- 2
Ekiti- 1
Oyo- 7
Edo- 2
Bauchi- 2
Osun-2
Rivers-1
Benue- 1
Kaduna- 1

@NCDCgov

News

Obasanjo Donates Former Residence for Covid-19 Isolation Centre

By Web News 678

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has donated his former residence at the Presidential Hilltop, Abeokuta, Ogun State for use as Isolation centre for victims of the dreaded Coronavirus disease.

Chief Obasanjo said the thirty two room facility has been handed over to the Ogun state government for immediate take over.

A statement by thehe Special Assistant on Media to the former president, Mr. Kehinde Akinyemi said that the former President was concerned about the pandemic urged those who can also assist in this situation to do so.

The facility located off the Presidential Boulevard, Oke Sari, and Abeokuta has each of the thirty two rooms en suite, with a standby generator. 

Health

Oyo Takes Steps to Prevent Community Transmission of Coronavirus

By Web News 756

Oyo State Government is intensifying efforts to ensure that there is no community transmission of coronavirus in the state.
Incidence Manager for Oyo State Emergency Operation Centre, Dr Taiwo Ladipo stated this in an interview with Radio Nigeria while reacting to the 2 new positive cases of coronavirus in the state.
He said so far all the 3 cases are returnees from overseas as the target of the government was to make sure that there were no community transmission of the virus.
Dr Ladipo said the 3 victims were at the isolation centre receiving treatment and was optimistic that they would soon get better.
He confirmed that a lot of people were at home undergoing self isolation as the government was following them while relevant tests were being carried out on them.
The Incident Manager said the Information about most of those in self isolation were gotten through communities and that prompted adding them to the surveillance system of government.
He added that the government was not considering shutting of markets for now as that would create panic but precautionary measures would henceforth be put in such places to prevent the spread of the virus.

Ridwan Fasasi

Health

Covid-19 Case Update

By Web News 20139

Five new cases of covid-19 have been reported in Nigeria: 3 in FCT and 2 in Oyo State
As at 08:00 pm 27th March there are 70 cases of confirmed covid-19 reported in Nigeria, 3 have been discharged with 1 death.
Currently break down of covid-19 cases state by state:
Lagos- 44
FCT- 14
Ogun- 3
Ekiti- 1
Oyo- 3
Edo- 1
Bauchi- 2
Osun-1
Rivers-1
@NCDCgov

Religion

Social Distancing: Most Mosques across Ibadan under Lock

By Web News 1192

Many mosques have complied with Oyo state government’s ban on religious gatherings to curb the spread of the deadly Coronavirus.

Our team of correspondents who visited different mosques in Ibadan metropolis where Jumat services were being held reports that the mosques were under lock.

At Aba-Pan, Ayedaade Central Mosque and Masjid Ibaadullahi Mosobalaje, Olose community, Kuola Area, Apata the mosques were not opened for Jumat Prayers.

The situation was the same at NASFAT Central Mosque, Samonda, Orogun Central Mosque and Ansarudeen Society of Nigeria Mosque, Agbowo.

 It was not different at Arulogun Road, off Ojoo as some of the mosques visited were not open for Jumat services.

The same story was observed at Odua Central Mosque, Dugbe and Lebanon Street Mosque, Ogunpa as the usual moving up and down of the faithful was absent.

Commenting, Imam Abdulah  Ishola of Masjid Ibaadullahi Mosobalaje, Olose Community said members of the congregation had been informed earlier of the suspension of Jumat service as part of precautionary measures against the spread of COVID 19.

However, it was noticed that some Islamic faithful observed their four Rakat of Suhr prayer in groups at homes in place of 2 Rakaat of Jumat prayer.

Some Muslim brethren who spoke with radio Nigeria noted that it was necessary to obey the government’s directives in ensuring that the virus did not spread beyond control.

Ridwan Fasasi/Adedayo Adelowo/Rotimi Famakin/Taiwo Akinola

Health

NCDC DG Appeals for Nigerians’ Support on Ending Covid-19

By Web News 778

Director-General, Nigeria Center for Disease Control, NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu says the centre is working very hard to scale up its testing capacity to bring in more people for clinical management.

Dr Ihekweazu stated this while featuring on a live television programme.

The NCDC DG noted that the centre was also not relenting in its sensitization campaigns across the country to ensure that every Nigerian was aware of the virus and the need to take necessary precautionary measures.

Dr Ihekweazu stressed that, as much as the government was making concerted efforts at containing Covid-19, defeating the virus depended more on individuals.

The NCDC Director General, therefore, called on Nigerians to continue to cooperate with the centre and government to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Politics

Conronavirus: Delta State to Begin 2-Weeks Shutdown by March 29th

By Web News 997

Delta State Government says the Asaba International Airport will be closed to traffic for a period of two weeks with effect from today, Friday 26th of March, and has slated the 29 March for the shutting of borders in and out of the state.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa issued the orders in Asaba while giving an update on decisions reached by Delta State Central Committee on containing the Coronavirus pandemic in the state.

Dr Okowa listed other resolutions by the committee to include a Stay-at-Home directive to residents from Wednesday 1st of April, while businesses such as supermarkets and shops are to shut down activities the same date.

Dr Okowa also charged food sellers to conduct their businesses within their homes and to adhere strictly to social distancing rules.

He added that there would be an increase in security presence on the streets and land borders to ensure compliance to the new directives while urging resident to cooperate with the law enforcement agencies to address the challenges occasioned by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Oghenero Eghweree

Health

Covid-19 Case Update

By Web News 5361

14 new cases of covid-19 have been confirmed in Nigeria, 1 in FCT, 1 in Bauchi and 12 in Lagos.

From the 14 confirmed cases , 6 were detected on a vessel, 3 are returning travellers into the country while 2 are close contacts of confirmed cases.

Currently:
Lagos- 32
FCT- 10
Ogun- 3
Ekiti- 1
Oyo- 1
Edo- 1
Bauchi-1
Osun-1
Rivers-1
@NCDCgov

Health

Oyo State COVID-19 Task Force Update

By Web News 819
  1. The Oyo State civil service will shut down for two weeks from, Friday, March 27, 2020. Only workers rendering essential services will be required to report for duty.
  2. We still have one confirmed case of coronavirus in Oyo State, the Bodija case, who is receiving treatment at the isolation centre – Agbami Chest Centre, Jericho, Ibadan.
  3. Additional numbers have been added to the Emergency Operations Centre’s Helplines. Please call these numbers for any issue related to Coronavirus; 08095394000 / 08095963000 / 08078288999 / 08078288800
  4. The returnee from the USA in Oluyole Local Government Area is still asymptomatic. She has completed her 14-day self-isolation period (March 8-22).
  5. New guidelines on public transportation have been issued by the Ministry of Public Works, Infrastructure and Transportation to ensure proper hygienic standards and social distancing.
    All transport operators and park managers are to provide at the entrance to their respective parks/garages, hand washing facilities with soap and running water. They are to provide alcohol-based sanitizers in their vehicles for the use of drivers, conductors and passengers.
    Standing is prohibited in public mass transit buses and there must be a minimum of one seat interval between passengers. Tricycles are limited to three passengers and commercial motorcycles are limited to one passenger only.
  6. Enlightenment campaigns on Coronavirus in English and Yoruba have commenced in the media. Street to street public announcements using megaphones have commenced in the rural areas.
  7. We have received reports of a few private schools flouting the directive for closure of schools. A task force from SUBEB, TESCOM and the Ministry of Education have been authorised to take appropriate action against any school flouting this directive. Any school acting in breach of the directive can be reported by calling the Emergency Operations Centre Helplines on 08095394000 / 08095963000 / 08078288999 / 08078288800.
  8. Ministry of Health officials met with religious leaders to ensure compliance with the directive that gatherings are limited to a maximum of 30 persons. They also met with stakeholders in the hospitality industry to ensure compliance with the directive that nightclubs remain closed.
Politics

Everyone must play their role in fighting Covid-19 – OYHA Speaker

By Web News 660

Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, OYHA, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin has urged residents of the state to take seriously precautionary measures against the spread of coronavirus also known as Covid-19 to curtail the spread of the virus. 

Mr Ogundoyin who gave the advice during plenary explained that the appeal became necessary because of the inadequate capacity of the country to fight the disease if it goes out of hand.

Some members of the Oyo State House of Assembly during plenary on Tuesday 24th of March, 2020

The speaker called on everyone to practice good hygiene and adhere strictly to directives by the federal and state governments on curbing the menace, saying the challenge posed by Covid-19 was a major one that needs a synergy to be fought. 

Mr Ogundoyin equally advised the lawmakers and the assembly staff to take priority measures against the spread of the virus. 

The house later adjourned its sitting till the 7th of next month.

Mosope Kehinde

Health

Oyo Governor Inspects Isolation Centres

By Web News 1081

Oyo state government says it is targeting one hundred bed-spaces in designated isolation centres on the outbreak of the Coronavirus in Oyo state.

The state presently has one confirmed case of Coronavirus.

Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde (right); Commissioner for Health, Dr Bashir Bello (second right); Incident Manager, Covid-19 Response, Dr Taiwo Ladipo (left) during the governor inspection to Isolation centre, Jericho, Ibadan. PHOTO: Oyo State Government.

Governor Seyi Makinde disclosed this during an on the spot assessment of the Chest Clinic Jericho, Ibadan which has now be converted to Isolation center by the state government.

Speaking with journalists, Governor Makinnde expressed satisfaction with the facilities at the center pointing out that the clinic has ten-bed spaces for suspected victims.

Governor Makinde explained that Covid-19 center at the University College Hospital, Ibadan has five-bed spaces with another center at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital.

The governor explained that the government would put necessary facilities in place at the Olodo Maternity Centre changed to Covid-19 center.

Conducting the governor round the Jericho center, a member of the Oyo state Task Force on Covid-19, Dr. Taiwo Ladipo said the environment of the center was conducive with a good water system and functional generator.

Iyabo Adebisi

Sport

Tokyo 2020: Canada, Australia Pull Out Over Athletes’ Safety Concerns

By Web News 893

Canada and Australia have pulled out of the 2020 Summer Olympic Games over concerns for athletes’ safety with the outbreak of Coronavirus across the globe.

The International Olympic Committee, IOC, has been in consultation with Japan about possibly postponing the Games, which is scheduled to start in July.

However, host nation Japan is adamant the Games will go on as scheduled much to the consternation of many countries and athletes, who have criticized the Asian country.

Canada followed up the announcement of withdrawing from the games with a tweet on Sunday:

Meanwhile, the Australian Olympic Committee said it was clear the Games would not be held in July, as Japan has recorded 1046 cases with 41 confirmed deaths.

Olaolu Fawole

Transportation

FG Shuts Airports, International Flights, over Coronavirus

By Web News 554

Following the spike in the number of affected individuals with Covid-19, Federal government has announced the closure of all the country’s airports and international flights.

 Personal Assistant on New Media to President Muhammadu Buhari, Basir Ahmed, disclosed this via his official twitter handle.

According to him, the closure was part of the intensive measures being taken to prevent the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

‘The Federal Government has just announced the closure of all the country’s airports to all international flights. Part of the intensive measures being taken to prevent the coronavirus outbreak in the country.’

Culled from Vanguard

Health

No “Confirmed” Case of Coronavirus in Oyo State – Commissioner

By Web News 769

Oyo state government says there is no confirmed case of outbreak of coronavirus in the state contrary to speculation making round.

Addressing journalists in Ibadan, Commissioner for Health, Dr Bashir Bello stated this while addressing journalists in Ibadan.

Dr Bello explained that an individual who just returned from the UK was self-isolation pointing out that the investigation was ongoing to run tests on samples collected from the individual at the National Reference Laboratory, LUTH, for Southwest.

On the outbreak in neighbouring states, Dr Bello said Oyo state Ministry of Health has activated surveillance system while the contact tracing was ongoing.

He said adequate resources had been deployed to all facilities in case of unforeseen circumstances. 

Dr Bello implored member of the pubic to remain calm and ensure strict compliance to hygiene practices of regular hand washing (with soap and running water or use of alcohol-based sanitizers) and observe good respiratory hygiene.

The commissioner equally implored individuals arriving Oyo State and other parts of Nigeria from countries with ongoing COVID-19 outbreak to notify the Ministry of Health on arrival, and undergo supervised self-isolation for at least fourteen days before moving around. 

Iyabo Adebisi

Health

FG, NGF Collaborate to Tackle Coronavirus

By Web News 804

The Federal Government says it will collaborate with Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, to set up functional test isolation centres in every state to tackle the spread of coronavirus in the country.

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanere stated this after meeting with the 36 state governors during their monthly meeting in Abuja.

The Nigerian Economic Summit Group, NESG, and some agencies also made presentations at the meeting.

Dr Ehanere said he was at the secretariat of the NGF to update the governors on the pandemic of the coronavirus and the strategies that the federal government was making to curtail the spread of the virus in the country.

He explained that the governors agreed to work with the federal government and pledged the commitment of the ministry to always update Nigerians to avoid misinformation. 

“To get the story of how Coronavirus spread abroad and how it has come into Nigeria and what we have done so far. And they asked questions about our strategies, our approach and how it affects their states and our strategies and how they can have access to materials to be able to respond.

I did not need to make an effort to remind the governors on what they should do because they all offered to play a role which was very good. In fact they want to know the cost of building isolation centres, the cost of the equipment and the kits. And they want us to present them with them cost tomorrow. We are happy that there is such engagement by the governors.”

After an extensive discussion on the negative impact of coronavirus to the economy and fall in oil prices, the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi said, the governors set up a committee to review and advice state governments on actions that were required to address the economic challenges in the country. 

“The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and falling oil prices in the Nigerian economy and the revenues of States governments, the forum constituted a sub-committee consisting of the Governors of Kaduna (Chair), Kebbi, Ebonyi, Ogun, Nasarawa, Edo and Jigawa to comprehensive review the trend and advice state governments on the set of actions required to address challenges in the economy”.

Following a presentation by the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, NESG, Laoye Jaiyeola on the economic roundtable, a platform that was created to facilitate improved economic policies in the states, Governor Fayemi said governors adopted the policy to improve effective partnership that would promote good governance at the states.

The Governors also welcomed Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo to his first NGF meeting since his assumption of office. 

Governors also commiserate with the governor of Lagos State on the recent pipe explosion that claimed many lives. 

Nehemiah Anini

Sport

Covid-19: Oyo FA Suspends Football Activities

By Web News 1012

Oyo State Football Association has suspended all football activities in the state in accordance with the directive from the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, that all football activities in the country for the next four weeks.

This was sequel to the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus.

A statement made available to newsmen by the secretary of Oyo FA, Kehinde Ojelowo, explains that chairman of the association, Oba James Odeniran directed that all school and local football competitions be suspended with immediate effect till the next four weeks.

Oba Odeniran enjoined chairmen of Zonal Football Associations across the five Zones and thirty-three Local Governments in the state, stakeholders and other members to adhere strictly to the various safety precautions such as hand-washing, the use of sanitizers and social distancing. 

The statement adds that Oyo FA will sanction violators of the directive.

Olaolu Fawole

Health

Breaking: Nigeria Records Five New Cases of Coronavirus

By Web News 846

The Federal Ministry of Health has announced five new cases of Coronavirus bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Nigeria to eight.

All the five new cases had a travel history to the United Kingdom and the United States.

The development is alarming as it comes on the heels of the confirmation of the third Coronavirus case in Nigeria on Tuesday, which spurred the Federal Government from its slumber as it rolled out a number of measures to stop the spread of the disease in the country.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, at a press conference in Ikeja on Tuesday morning, said the third case was a 30-year-old woman, who returned to the country on Friday from the United Kingdom.

The announcement of the third Coronavirus case triggered a flurry of activities by the Federal Government which included the  postponement  of the 20th edition of the National Sports Festival, tagged ‘Edo 2020’, scheduled to start on Friday.

The National Open University of Nigeria also put off its 9th convocation, which was slated from March 21 indefinitely.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, on its part, issued health advisory to religious organizations and other groups that could attract mass gatherings.

NCDC said they should not allow people who had cough, fever or other Coronavirus-like symptoms into their mass gatherings.

In the United Kingdom, the Nigerian High Commission suspended the processing of passports until further notice as a proactive measure to curb Coronavirus.

Similarly, the Federal Government on Tuesday inaugurated a task force on Coronavirus, whose members were named on March 9.

Nigeria recorded its first coronavirus case on February 27 when an Italian businessman, who was on a visit to Lafarge Africa Plc, Ewekoro, Ogun State, was diagnosed with the disease. The Italian is currently receiving treatment in Lagos.

A few days later, a Nigerian, who had contact with him and was isolated in Ogun State, was diagnosed with the disease.

Culled from Punch

Health

Breaking: FG Places Travel Ban on Italy, China, UK, US, nine others

By Web News 794

The Federal Government on Wednesday placed a travel ban on 13 high-risk Coronavirus countries.

The countries are China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Japan, France, Germany, Norway, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Netherlands and Switzerland.

The government said the ban would take effect on Saturday, March 21 and would last for four weeks

The travel restriction was placed on countries with over a thousand cases of coronavirus

Details later…

Culled from the Punch