Radio Nigeria Ibadan Zonal Station

Tag: Covid-19

  • Delta Earmarks 3.5bn for CARES

    By Egheweree Oghenero

    The Delta State Government says the administration has earmarked the sum of three point five billion naira aimed at reactivating the COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Program CARES, as s short-term response to the current economic difficulties and the coronavirus pandemic.

    The State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Chairman of the CARES Steering Committee Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, disclosed this at the end of a Two Day Pre Mid-Term Review visit to the state by partners.

    Mr. Ekedayen said the fund which was the first in the life of the new dispensation would enable the programme to reach out to more beneficiaries and in return attract more funding from the World Bank.

    https://radionigeriaibadan.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/COVID-19-RECOVERY1.mp3

    The Team Lead from the Federal CARES Support Unit Mr. Edebeatu Chetachi, commended the execution of the project in the state, which he noted was according to the World Bank specifications and called for more funds to be released to consolidate the gains achieved.

    The Commissioner for Agricultural Resources Mr Perez Omuon and his counterpart in the Ministry of Humanitarian Support Services Miss Orode Uduaghan, alongside the Delta CARES Coordinator Dr Patience Ugbewe, in their separate remarks lauded the impact of the initiative in the state.

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  • Kano Begins Contact Tracing as Diphtheria Spreads

    The Kano State Government says it had activated contact tracing has the diphtheria outbreak in the state spread to 31 out of the 44 local government areas of the state.

    The state epidemiologist, Dr. Abdullahi Karaunmata, who disclosed this in a chat with newsmen, said over 100 patients were on hospital admission, while about 2,000 patients who were treated and had recovered had been discharged.

    The resurgence of diphtheria, according to him, may be linked to the aftermath of the COVID-19  pandemic, which resulted in a lockdown and disruption of routine immunisation of children.

    Karaunmata said, “Recently, the NCDC  released a list or an update outlining the number of states affected, with the total number of confirmed cases, including the mortality among the children. The report has categorised  Kano among the states with the highest number of diphtheria patients.

    “Currently, we have more than 100 cases on admission. We have treated and discharged over 2,000.

    “The diphtheria has been reported in 31 out of the 44 LGAs in the state.

    “Through the epidemiology unit, we have now established contact tracing teams across the high-burden LGAs. The team is actively searching for the children, with symptoms of diphtheria. With this development we have focused our searchlight on all the nooks and crannies of the state, searching for these patients.”

    Punch / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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  • Man in Police Net for Assaulting Son over Quran Recitation

    The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, DSVA, has arrested the man who allegedly inflicted bodily injuries on his 11-year-old son for his inability to recite the Holy Quran.

    DSVA Spokesperson, Mrs Joke Ladenegan-Oginni, who stated this in Lagos on Saturday noted that the man had been detained at Meiran Division of the Nigeria Police Force.

    The assault on the 11-year-old went viral in the social media as his body showed welts received from belt whips leading to excessive bleeding.

    Ladenegan-Oginni stated that DSVA received the report from concerned citizen on repeated assaults on the child.

    “The agency received a report from a journalist of an 11-year-old male who was physically assaulted by his father.

    “The DSVA gathered that the father meted the assault because the boy had not been able to recite the Holy Quran.

    “Following repeated assaults, the boy has haematuria (blood in urine), two episodes of loss of consciousness, bleeding from the ears and nostrils,’’ she stated.

    Ladenegan-Oginni added that the child was receiving medical attention facilitated by the Lagos State Ministry of Health and the state’s Primary Health Care Board.

    She advised members of the public to report all cases of abuse, assault and sexual violence against persons to the agency for justice to be served.

    Culled / Titilayo Kupoliyi

  • WHO Declares Covid-19 No Longer Health Emergency

    The World Health Organisation said on Friday that the Covid-19 pandemic was no longer considered a public health emergency of international concern.

    The Director-General, WHO, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, announced this in Geneva, while also lifting the highest alert level that can be imposed in the event of a threat, which has been in place for more than three years.

    This came after more than three years of declaring the outbreak to be a Public health emergency of international concern in January 2020, about six weeks before characterizing it as a pandemic.

    WHO’s International Health Regulations Emergency Committee discussed the pandemic at its 15th meeting on Covid-19 and decided that the PHEIC declaration should come to an end.

    The statement read in part, “The committee’s position has been evolving over the last several months. While acknowledging the remaining uncertainties posed by the potential evolution of SARS-CoV-2, they advised that it is time to transition to long-term management of the Covid-19 pandemic.

    “The WHO DG concurs with the advice offered by the committee regarding the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. He determines that Covid-19 is now an established and ongoing health issue that no longer constitutes a PHEIC.

    “The WHO DG considered the advice provided by the committee regarding the proposed temporary recommendations and issued a statement. The WHO Director-General will convene an IHR Review Committee to advise on standing recommendations for the long-term management of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, taking into account the 2023-2025 COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan.”

    It noted that during the transition, state parties were advised to continue following the issued temporary recommendations.

    It quoted the DG as appreciating the members and the advisors of the committee for their engagement and advice during the last three years.

    The global health body said while the global risk assessment remained high, there was evidence of reducing risks to human health driven mainly by high population-level immunity from infection, vaccination, or both; consistent virulence of currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sub-lineages compared to previously circulating Omicron sub-lineages; and improved clinical case management.

    It added, “These factors have contributed to a significant global decline in the weekly number of Covid-19 related deaths, hospitalisation and admissions to intensive care units since the beginning of the pandemic. While SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, the currently circulating variants do not appear to be associated with increased severity.

    “WHO provided updates on the status of global vaccination and considerations of implications for the potential termination of a PHEIC. The committee was informed that, globally, 13.3 billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered.”

    It noted that currently, 89 percent of health workers and 82 percent of adults over 60 years had completed the primary series (the initial one or two doses recommended as per the vaccine schedule), although coverage in priority groups varied in different regions.

    It added that states would still be able to access vaccines and diagnostics, provided the manufacturers continue production.

    It noted that COVAX would also continue to provide funded doses and delivery support throughout 2023 in line with demand.

    Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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  • EFCC Arraigns Ibadan Club Owner for Allegedly Defrauding Americans

    By Oluwakayode Banjo

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Command on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, arraigned the owner of Ibadan-based Club, De Rock Club, Adepoju Olawale Sunday alias SSG before Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State on two separate charges for his alleged involvement in cybercrime and obtaining money under false pretence to the tune of N31, 821, 000.00 (Thirty-One Million, Eight Hundred and Twenty-One Thousand Naira).

    This is contained in a statement signed by the Head, Media and Publicity of the commission, Mr Wilson Uwujaren.

    The first charge, containing eight counts bordering on identity theft, obtaining COVID–19 and unemployment benefits from the United States of America Government while the other 19-count charge is premised on the transfer of proceeds of crime to one Owoade Emmanuel David.

    Investigations revealed that Adepoju, 36, who claimed to be a graduate of Industrial Chemistry of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Osun State had, during the COVID–19 pandemic swindled the American government and unsuspecting American citizens thousands of dollars.

    He allegedly stole the identities of American citizens eligible for the tax refund programme across the U.S. and filed the stolen information to claim the benefits.

    Investigations also showed that Adepoju through the US Small Business Administration (SBA), a programme established in New York City during Covid-19 to help Americans build resilient businesses, stole personal identifying information of American citizens which he deployed in filing false benefits claims.

    One of the eight-counts read, “That you, Adepoju Olawale Sunday (aka SSG), Tope Ogunruku (aka DLA Frd Husband) at large, Owoade Emmanuel David (.ka. UK CEO Ace Lounge) at large, Desmond (aka Stanf line 2 2022) at large and Blessing (aka Ghost) at large, sometime in 2022 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired to commit an illegal act to wit; Identity Theft contrary to Sections 27(1)(b) and 22(2) (b) (ii) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc.) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22(2) (b) of the same Act.”

    Count two reads: “That you, Adepoju Olawale Sunday (aka SSG), Tope Ogunruku (aka. DLA Frd Husband) at large, Owoade Emmanuel David (aka UK CEO Ace Lounge) at large, Desmond (aka Stanf line 2 2022) at large and Blessing (aka. Ghost) at large, sometime in 2022 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired to commit an illegal act to wit; Obtaining COVID – 19 benefits from the United States of America Government by falsely representing that you are one Joel Richard Carlson and thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 8 and 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

    Count one of the the19-counts reads: “That you, Adepoju Olawale Sunday aka SSG on or about the 21st day of September 2020 did transfer the sum of N3, 108, 000.00 (Three Million, One Hundred and Eight Thousand Naira) from your bank account domiciled at Guaranty Trust Bank with account number: 0050174721 to one Owoade Emmanuel David (aka UK CEO Ace Lounge) through his bank account domiciled at First City Monument Bank account number: 2875316012, which money you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (As Amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”

    The defendant pleaded ‘not guilty’ when the charges were read to him.

    Consequently, the prosecution counsel, Mabas Mabur asked the court for a trial date and remand the defendant pending the determination of the case.

    However, counsel to the defendant, Olaniyi George informed the court that he had filed two separate bail applications on behalf of his client and prayed the court to grant the defendant bail.

    However, Mabur told the court to reject the applications on the grounds that the defendant is a flight risk who has pending charges against him in other law courts.

    Justice Agomoh, adjourned the matter till April 18, 2023, for ruling and ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Agodi Correctional facility.

    The defendant was arrested on August 31, 2022, alongside 21 other suspected internet fraudsters, in an intelligence-driven operation carried out by the operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC.

    He was arrested with a 2020 Range Rover HSE Sports Utility Vehicle, an iPhone 13 Pro Max and Hp laptop, among others.

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  • Diphtheria Infection Hits Kano, Kills 25

    Diphtheria disease outbreak has killed no fewer than 25 persons in Kano.

    Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr Aminu Tsanyawa, confirmed the outbreak of the deadly disease.

    Symptoms of the killer disease include sore throat, cough, drooling of saliva, change of voice, neck swelling, abnormal breathing, fever or mouth odour, among others.

    The commissioner, noted that the state emergency preparedness committee is currently in a meeting with a view to evaluating the casualty figures, reviewing the data and measures to address the situation.

    Tsanyawa said presently, the state rapid response team has been reactivated and indexed an action plan to check the spread of the deadly disease in the state.

    ‘’Right now, we have presented a budget for this to the government and it has been approved,’’ the commissioner told an online newspaper.

    He said the low routine immunisation attributed to the spread of the disease is due to the hard-to-be-reached areas in the state.

    He noted that, however, the state is strengthening its routine immunization.

    Tsanyawa said apart from the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital designated as an isolation centre, other isolation centres would be created to check the spread of disease.

    “Although we used Yargaya for COVID-19 isolation, we have set the place aside for the isolation of diphtheria infection also.

    “We also have three cases of LASSA Fever in the state now with the index case from Taraba.

    “The people should not panic but if they notice any unusual fever, should immediately visit the hospital.

    “We are already embarking on sensitisation to educate the populace on the disease,” Tsanyawa said.

    Culled / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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  • COVID-19: FG Rules Out Restrictions on China Despite New Cases

    The Federal Government has insisted it will not impose COVID-19 restrictions on China despite the rising infections in the East Asia country.

    The Coordinator and Technical Head of the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, Dr Muktar Muhammad, who stated this in Abuja on Sunday, however, said the government has raised the surveillance level in the country.

    China’s decision to relax its strict COVID-19 rules to curb the virus and lack of transparency has been greeted with some anxiety in many countries.

    At least 23 countries have imposed restrictions on travellers from China amid fears of an increase in COVID-19.

    Data from the World Health Organisation shows that China reported 24,565 new cases on January 13, 2023, and so far there are 10,855,369 confirmed cases and 33,698 deaths.

    However, Muhammad said countries imposing restrictions on China are doing so without a scientific basis as available data shows that cases are increasing worldwide.

    He said, “For us, what we are doing now is to try to raise our surveillance level to be able to understand what kind of viruses are coming in, to continue to do our genomic sequencing to identify the variants that are coming into Nigeria so that we will have credible intelligence on what we need to do.”

    The expert said the government has intensified surveillance at sentinel points to monitor the situation in the country.

    He added, “We believe what is happening is not more than a seasonal increase in upper respiratory tract infections, including COVID-19, and we are monitoring the various variants circulating in the world.”

    Meanwhile, the centre has confirmed 42 new cases of the virus in the country in two weeks.

    The cases were recorded in Lagos, Edo, Kano, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Plateau States as well as the Federal Capital Territory.

    The 42 new cases brought the nation’s confirmed COVID-19 infections to 266,492, according to the NCDC.

    Punch / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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  • Covid Spreads, Forces Schools to Go Online in China

    China’s largest city, Shanghai, has ordered most of its schools to take classes online as Covid cases soar.

    According to Shanghai’s education bureau, Nurseries and childcare centres will also shut from Monday as restrictions were eased by Chinese authorities earlier this month following a wave of protests targeting China’s zero-Covid strategy.

    But the easing of strict lockdown measures has led to growing concerns over the spread of Covid in China.

    Significant changes in the country’s Covid testing and reporting systems have made it difficult to know just how widespread the virus has become.

    But hospitals and medical facilities have come under increasing strain, with temporary health centres and intensive care facilities being set up across the country.

    In Shanghai, it has been reported that an extra 230,000 hospital beds have been made available.

    Some schools in the city have also already stopped in-person classes because teachers and staff are ill.

    In a statement posted on the Chinese social media site WeChat on Saturday, Shanghai’s education bureau announced that most year groups in primary and secondary schools would move to online learning from Monday.

    Students and children who do not have alternative childcare arrangements can apply to attend school.

    The statement said the measures were being put in place in order to protect the health of teachers and students in line with current coronavirus prevention measures.

    The decision means that schools in the country’s financial hub will be closed for in-person learning until the end of term on 18 January, when the Lunar New Year holiday starts.

    Some Chinese social media users praised the decision, agreeing that it was best that students stay at home. Others complained about the efficacy of online learning in relation to in-person teaching and the extra strains put on working parents.

    Following the abandonment of its zero-Covid strategy, there has been an explosion of self-reported cases across the country, with many cities eerily quiet as large numbers of people isolated at home, either sick with Covid or trying to avoid becoming infected, reports the BBC’s Celia Hatton.

    There are concerns that China’s health infrastructure is not prepared to cope with a rapid increase in patients – especially as Covid spreads among the elderly, many of whom are not fully vaccinated.

    BBC/Taiwo Akinola

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  • Covid-19: Second Phase of Mass Vaccination Flagged off in Oyo

    The Oyo State Government, through the Primary Healthcare Board, has flagged off the second phase of the mass vaccination campaign.

    The campaign was flagged off by the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Taiwo Ladipo at a mini ceremony held at the State Secretariat, Ibadan.

    Speaking with Radio Nigeria, Executive Secretary, Oyo State Primary Health care Board, Dr Muideen Olatunji said the second phase of the mass vaccination exercise was to ensure at least seventy-five percent of the population get vaccinated.

    Dr Olatunji said with the coming of the fourth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic across the world, there was the need to intensify efforts and re-strategize to provide access to Covid-19 vaccines.

    He said thirty percent of the population of the state took the first dose of the vaccine in the first phase of the mass vaccination campaign.

    Dr Olatunji appealed to residents of the state to take advantage of the second phase of the mass vaccination campaign to get vaccinated and take the booster jab.

    He said vaccines are available in all Primary health care facilities across the state free of charge.

    Nofiu Busari

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  • Ogun Steps Up COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign

    A three-month covid-19 campaign strategic initiative called S.C.A.L.E.S 3.0 has been launched by Ogun state primary healthcare development board in collaboration with development partners on health to ensure full coverage vaccination of residents of the state.

    Speaking at the launch of the program at the family health centre, Oke Ilewo, Abeokuta, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, explained that the initiative which signified service delivery, communication, logistics, and supervision, would enable the government to meet its covid-19 vaccination target and gain the desired herd immunity against the virus for accelerated integrated exercise.

    He pointed out that the initiative would go a long way to identify and address the implementation gaps as well as promote accountability of performance.

     Dr. Coker urged the people to take advantage of the exercise to assist the present administration in achieving its target.

    in their separate remarks, the Southwest Zonal Coordinator, World Health Organization, W.H.O, Dr. Olufunmilola Kolude, her counterparts in the United Nations International Children Education Fund, UNICEF, Mrs. Florence Molokwu and the State Coordinator, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, Dr. Victoria Adebiyi unanimously applauded the effort of the present administration towards the fight against covid-19 pandemic and pledged their organization’s continued support to the initiative.

    Olusegun Folarin

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  • Covid-19: Ekiti Records 74 New Cases

    Ekiti State has recorded seventy four new COVID-19 cases in the state.

    In a statement in Ado Ekiti, the State Commissioner for Health and Human services, Dr Oyebanji Filani explained that the new cases were recorded after the Eld- EL- KABIR celebration.

    He noted that there was significant decline in the number of positive COVID-19 cases and low occupancy in the isolation centres before the Eid El Kabir celebration which occurred early this month.

    Dr Filani appealed to all residents across Ekiti state to adhere strictly to the government’s public health and social measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

    The Commissioner said the following measures should be observed to mitigate the spread of the virus, wearing of facemasks in public gatherings, maintaining hand hygiene through proper handwashing or use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer, Social or physical distancing

    Others are reporting at the nearest health facility when sick, getting tested and isolating if positive and adherence to Covid-19 measures by banks and other institutions.

    Dr Filani said vaccination remains the most effective means of curbing the pandemic and encouraged all residents of the state to get vaccinated.

    The Commissioner confirmed that three hundred and eighty four thousand, seven hundred and thirty (384,730) persons were fully vaccinated in the state.

    Dr Filani said that the state government had trained and deployed over 80 mobile vaccination teams and 177 health facility-based teams across all Local Government Areas in the State.

    He encouraged citizens to visit the vaccination centres to get their complete Covid-19 jabs.

    Amos Ogunrinde

  • Avert COVID-19 Surge, WHO Tells Europe

    The World Health Organization has warned European nations to adequately prepare against the future spread of the already existing virus.

    WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr Hans Kluge urged countries to tackle a surge in COVID-19 cases driven by an Omicron offshoot and avoid stricter measures later in the year, Tuesday.

    Dr Hans Kluge said action should be taken to avoid overwhelming health systems in the autumn and winter as the Omicron sub variant, BA.5, continues to spread rapidly.

    According to Reuters, close to three million new COVID-19 cases were reported in Europe last week, which accounted for nearly half of all new cases globally.

    “People sometimes ask, is the virus back. It’s still there. It’s spreading. It is mutating. And unfortunately, it’s still taking a lot of lives after two and a half years of the pandemic and related lockdowns and disruptions, countries are now also having to deal with surging inflation and increased food insecurity caused partly by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but governments still need to invest further in healthcare, Kluge said.

    Kluge said hospitalization rates have doubled over the same period, and close to 3,000 people die of the disease every week.

    FRCN Abuja/Adetutu Adetule

  • COVID-19: Shanghai to Allow Dining-in at Restaurants from June 29

    Shanghai will gradually resume indoor dinning as the Chinese city continues its recovery from its latest COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent lockdown, which was lifted on June 1.

    The local commerce authority made the announcement on Sunday during a regular press conference on COVID-19 control, saying that indoor dinning can be resumed starting June 29. It added that the resumption must be conducted in an ordered manner.

    The specific areas for the resumption will be determined by the district authorities after comprehensive assessment, said Lai Xiaoyi, a local official.

    The authority listed six requirements that restaurants must meet to reopen, including official evaluation, capacity limits, strict disinfection and digital entrance control, among others.

    The decision to reopen was made based on experts’ opinions, the current COVID-19 situation in the city and the experiences gathered from the recent mass testing in Jinshan, Fengxian and Chongming districts.

    CGTN/Olaolu Fawole

  • US Cancels COVID-19 Test for Travellers

    The United States has announced that COVID-19 tests would no longer be required for international travellers arriving in the country, a major step in the country’s gradual lifting of pandemic restrictions.

    White House Assistant Press Secretary, Kevin Munoz, disclosed this via his Twitter page on Friday, saying the testing requirement would end on Sunday, June 12, after strong lobbying from the travel industry.

    All passengers had needed to show a negative COVID-19  viral test taken shortly before travel or proof of having recovered from the virus in the past 90 days,  before they boarded their flight” he said

    Munoz said President Joe Biden’s work on vaccines and treatments had been “critical” to easing the travel restrictions, adding that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would continue to evaluate COVID-19 data amid a recent rise in cases.

    Last month, the United States crossed the threshold of 1 million COVID-19  deaths, with Biden acknowledging the “unrelenting” pain of bereaved families, and urging Americans to remain vigilant.

    America recorded its first COVID-19 death on the West Coast, in February 2020.

    Many mask mandates have been lifted but the country had recently recorded a spike in the number of daily virus cases, largely due to new Omicron subvariants.

    Newspeak/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

  • Nigeria Gets Another Batch of Covid-19 Vaccine

    Nigeria has received another batch of four million from the Spanish European Union members.

            The donation was made today to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA in Abuja.

            The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Samuella Isopi said the donation was a testament of its solidarity to the strong partnership between the European Union with Nigeria in the fight against Covid -19 pandemic.

            Ms. Isopi stressed that the European Union remained committed to ensure global availability of the vaccine. 

            The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency NPHCDA, Dr, Faisal Shuaib who received the vaccine encouraged eligible Nigerians to get free vaccination against the Covid-19 pandemic to curtail its spread.

    Nancy Anikaezie

  • Shanghai tightens Covid-19 lockdown restrictions

    Authorities in Shanghai have said they will tighten the enforcement of lockdown measures, as a Covid surge continues in China’s financial capital.

    New measures include placing electronic door alarms to prevent those infected from leaving, as well as evacuating people to disinfect their homes.

    Earlier this week, hundreds were forcibly evacuated from their homes to allow for buildings to be disinfected.

    The restrictions will take Shanghai’s lockdown into its fifth week.

    Shanghai city officials said all infected patients and close contacts will be transferred to government-run centralised quarantine, with aims to quicken the pace at which patients are discharged once negative.

    In addition, disinfection measures will be escalated in some of the city’s worst-hit areas. This will likely mean some residents are forced to move out temporarily – including those who have tested negative.

    Officials are still trying to maintain the country’s zero-Covid strategy which prioritises eliminating the virus over living with it as many countries have now chosen to do.

    The outbreak in Shanghai, first detected in late March, has seen more than 400,000 cases recorded so far.

    As a result, the city’s 25 million people have been ordered to stay home.

    BBC/Taiwo Akinola

  • South African Blazes Trail in Fight against Covid-19

    From various innovations to award-winning ideas that can save the world, Africa is not only diverse in its people but also in its industries and creativity.

    Africa, a continent beaming with beauty and diversity, has produced some incredible ideas, be it in business, science, art or entertainment, thus debunking the myths, misconceptions and stereotypes about the continent from the Western world.

    Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town, South Africa, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng once said “The world is used to seeing Africa as a continent of need but we are a continent of creators, innovators, entrepreneurs, teachers and professionals.

    South Africa has been one of the countries hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic in Africa.

    The second wave, no doubt overwhelmed the health sector and the shortage of ventilators and breathing apparatuses became a growing concern.

    However, an amalgamation of doctors, engineers and designers rose to the occasion in South Africa and invented an oxygen device known as OxERA.

    OxERA is made from an anaesthetic facemask, accumulator bag and adjustable mechanical peep.

    Simply known as the Umoya project, the group of inventors at its helm has provided a solution for oxygen provision to patients with severe Covid- 19 infections, who are almost entirely reliant on Oxygen for the duration of their stay in the hospital.

    The leader of the team, Dr Craig Parker said “This is unique. It takes the benefits of an oxygen mask and some of the components of non-invasive ventilation onto that simple oxygen mask and ‘fills the gap’ between the devices that we have available at the moment”.

    The invention is supposedly easy to adapt, being used in rural and urban hospital environments.

    Since its approval for use by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, the group hopes to produce 15,000 units per week.

    Forbes Africa/ Olaitan Oye- Adeitan

  • COVID-19: Australia Approves Second Vaccine For Children

    Australia’s medical regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration, TGA, said on Thursday that it has provisionally approved the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for use in individuals aged six years and older.

    According to the report, the decision follows the provisional approvals granted by the TGA to Moderna for the use of the vaccine, SPIKEVAX, in individuals aged 12 years and older in September 2021.

    The TGA said in a statement, “As for other age groups, the use of this vaccine in children aged six to 11 years should be administered as two doses at least 28 days apart.

    It said a lower dose of 0.25 mL 50 micrograms will be given to children six to 11 years, compared to the 0.5 ml, 100 micrograms, dose used for those 12 years and older.

    SPIKEVAX has now been added to Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine as the recommended vaccine for Australian children.

    BBC/Taiwo Akinola

  • Morocco Announces Plan to Meet 60% of Africa’s Vaccines Needs

    The kingdom of Morocco has announced its plan to produce sixty percent of the vaccine needs in Africa.

    At the launch of the vaccines and biotechnology products project in Rabat, King Mohammed the sixth, noted that the project would strengthen the presence of the kingdom in the African continent, as it will be the main exporter of vaccines to other African countries.

    He added that in less than five years, Morocco would be an indispensable player on the international scene in terms of vaccines as the project would focus on the manufacturing of syringe of anti-Covid vaccines and other vaccines.

    The Principal Promoter of the vaccines project ,Samir Machour, affirmed that by next year, Morocco would have been able to cover the target of Africa to manufacture sixty percent of its vaccines in 2040,which currently stands at one percent.

    Folasase Osigwe

  • Covid-19: Oyo Govt. Distributes First Aid Kits to 250 BESDA Learning Centres

    The Oyo State government has distributed COVID-19 first aid kits to some Non-Formal Learning Centres, under the Better Education Service Delivery for All, BESDA, programme, saying this is part of its efforts at ensuring rapid response to emergency situations at its learning centres.

    Distributing the customised kits to the beneficiaries in Ibadan, today, the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, explained that the Board will not rest on its oars towards ensuring that centres are given required support within BESDA provisions.

    He added that the gesture was to guarantee necessary first aid treatment when required and prevent avoidable death, while the BESDA programme goes on in the State.

    The OYOSUBEB helmsman said the Board is concerned about the promotion of safety and hygienic practice in non-formal learning centres, adding that this will make learners secure and enhance their capacity on compliance to covid-19 protocols.

    Dr Adeniran stressed that the first aid kits would ease the treatment of injuries and sudden illness before the arrival of professional medical care, admonishing the centres to utilise the kits while they comply with covid-19 protocols.

    “In view of the nature of the non-formal learning settings, we deem it very significant to equip these centres with first aid kits and covid-19 safety materials because of the children”, he said.

    According to him, the kits, which would be supplied in phases to the learning centres, could be used to take care of small wounds, sprains, minor burns and fractures.

    Reiterating the commitment of the Seyi Makinde-led administration to the general well-being of learners in the State, the Executive Chairman said two hundred and fifty centres will benefit in the first phase, saying the other centres will be reached out to in the second phase.

    He stressed that Oyo State Government is fully committed to the struggle of returning all out-of-school children back to school, saying they must access free basic and qualitative education.

    Also speaking at the event, the BESDA Consultant, Prof. Dupe Adelabu described the provision of the kits as a display of the State Government’s passion for the provision of optimum health care delivery in the state.

    She urged beneficiaries to judiciously utilise the kits provided, stressing that the kits were safe and easy to use as they contained only non-prescribed drugs that could be purchased over the counter.

    The Co-ordinator, Arabic Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan, Alhaji Monsuru Abdulsalam who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude to the state government for its efforts at making life more meaningful for the people.

    PR/Kayode Banjo

  • Christmas Celebrations: Remain security-conscious, observe Covid-19 protocols – Makinde

    As the world celebrate Christmas, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has called on residents of the state on witnessing this year’s Christmas festivity, urging them to continue to live in love and harmony.

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Taiwo Adisa quotes the governor as saying Christmas presents to the world an opportunity to evaluate the lessons of peace, love and sacrificial living, which Jesus Christ taught through his life.

    According to the governor, residents of Oyo State must celebrate the Yuletide with caution, observe necessary precautions such as proper sanitisation, use of nose covers and maintenance of social distancing, in order to keep the COVID-19 virus at bay.

    Governor Makinde equally charged the residents of the state to adhere strictly to COVID-19 protocol and stay safe amid rising cases of the virus in the country.

    He called on Christians and adherents of all other religions in the state to always be at peace and to demonstrate love and brotherliness, stating that development and progress can only take place in an atmosphere of love and tranquility.

    “As we celebrate Christmas, I celebrate with all residents of the state.”

    “The Christmas festivity presents us all with an opportunity to relive the lessons of love, peace and sacrificial living that Christ taught with his life.”

    “It is an opportunity to celebrate and make merry but we must also imbibe the lessons of love and harmonious co-existence.”

    “As a state government, we will continue to do everything possible to continue to uplift the state. But we can only do so with the support of our people.”

    The governor also advocated for moderation by residents of the state during the Christmas celebrations, urging them to be security-conscious and to stay safe.

    “While rejoicing with Oyo State residents, I advise them to do everything in moderation, as the times we are in demand that we remain security-conscious and observe all necessary protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

    “Security is the responsibility of all and sundry, so all residents must be observant and report any untoward movements in their environments. The 615 Security Emergency Number is working in Oyo State, please report any suspicion regarding security.”

    Iyabo Adebisi

  • Ìgbìmọ̀ amúsẹ́yá ìjọba àpapọ̀ farun covid-19 pèfún sísọ́rase lákokò ọdún kérésìmesì

    Ìgbìmọ̀ amúsẹ́yá ìjọba àpapọ̀ fárùn covid-19 rọ àwọn èèyàn ilẹ̀ yíì láti sọdún kérésìmesì àti ìsinmi ọdún titun bótiyẹ.

    Alága ìgbìmọ̀ náà títún se akọ̀wé ìjọba àpapọ̀ ọ̀gbẹ́ni Boss Mustapha ló sọ̀rọ̀ yíì nínú àtàjáde nílu Abuja.

    Ọgbẹni Mustapha níì ó se pàtàkì, káwọn èèyàn mú ìgbésẹ̀ àbò wọn àti pípa àwọn ìlànà atẹle fárùn covid 19 mọ̀, láti fòpinsí ìtànkálẹ̀ àrùn covid 19, pẹ̀lú bí orílẹ̀dè yíì se ńkojú ìkẹ́rin àrùn náà.

    Bakana lótún rawọ́ ẹ̀bẹ̀ sáwọn èèyàn ilẹ̀ yíì, láti yàgò fún àpéjọpọ̀ ọ̀pọ̀ èrò.

    Ọgbẹni Mustapha wá ni osese kí àjọ psc gbé ìgbásẹ̀ fífòpinsí àwọn àpéjọ kan, isede láwọn apá ipikan tí àkọsílẹ̀ àrùn náà bá tún búrẹ́kẹ́ síì.

    Elizabeth Idogbe

  • Ogun Govt. Advises Residents to go for Booster Jabs

    Ogun State Government has advised residents who have completed their first and second doses of Covid-19 Vaccination to go for booster jabs, to break the chain of transmission and increase level of immunity.

    The Executive Secretary, Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola who made this known in Abeokuta, during a chat with journalists in Abeokuta said this became necessary to prevent possible upsurge in the State during the Yuletide season.

    Dr. Ogunsola said the upsurge in cases around the globe and the emergence of Omicron variant necessitated the introduction of the booster dose.

    The Executive Secretary, Primary Health Care Development Board described vaccination as a proven measure of curbing the spread of the virus, as well as ensuring less severity and fatalities in case of possible infection.

    Dr Ogunsola advised residents to continue to adhere to the non-pharmaceutical safety measures of wearing face masks, handwashing and social distancing, encouraging them to make personal hygiene a daily lifestyle practice.

    Olusegun Folarin

  • Covid-19: Get vaccinated to boost your immunity – Oyo Govt.

    The need for the people of Oyo State not to trivialize COVID-19 vaccination took the centre stage at a one-day Media Orientation meeting on the Covid-19 Mass Vaccination Campaign, jointly put together by the Breakthrough Action-Nigeria and Oyo State Government.

    Issues discussed included, the negative impact of myths around Covid-19 vaccination, the need to be fully vaccinated, the importance of the vaccine, and the need for the media to embark on aggressive awareness campaigns on the Covid-19 scourge.

    The event attracted journalists across Radio, Print, TV, and bloggers.

    Speaking, the State Health Educator, Oyo State Primary Health Board, Mr. Olarinde Olaoye who gave details about the level of Covid-19 prevalence in Oyo State, said it was essential for all to get vaccinated to aid control of the virus.

    While urging the public to dispel all forms of misinformation around the vaccination, he said evidence abound that those who were already vaccinated did not suffer negative consequences. 

    On her part, Oyo State Coordinator of Breakthrough Action Nigeria, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Afachung said the essence of the workshop was to enlighten the media on the need to encourage the public to embrace vaccination.

    She said the media had a pivotal role to play in information dissemination, hence the need for the workshop.

    Mrs. Afachung said it was disheartening that many people had fallen victim to unfounded claims about the vaccination, a development which according to her was not the best for the nation.

    Underscoring the potency of vaccination, she said it provided antibodies that would not allow the virus to cause severe havoc even when the disease was contracted.

    Mrs. Afachung, however, called on the public not to lose guard on non-pharmaceutical preventive protocols to Covid-19.

    Adedayo Adelowo

  • Ekiti Government Seeks Improved Awareness on Covid-19 Vaccination

    Ekiti State Government says the best way to fight  covid-19 pandemic is for the eligible residents across the state to take either Astrazeneca or Moderna vaccines to immune their body system against the virus.

    The Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation, Mr Akin Omole stated this in Ido Ekiti while declaring open a day advocacy meeting organised by his ministry in collaboration with UNICEF in Akure for Local Government Information officers and Media Professionals titled Improving COVAX confidence and uptake at the grassroots in Ekiti State

    Mr Omole whose speech was read by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Olufemi Adedipe wondered why people were afraid from taking the vaccine which he described as effective, safe and free of charge.

    The commissioner who made it cleared that nobody had died after being vaccinated, pleaded with the media to do more towards addressing rumours, misconceptions and fake news about the vaccines.

    He expressed government’s continuous engagement of stakeholders particularly the media in sensitizing the people on the need to get vaccinated.

    In their messages, the UNICEF Officer, Akure Field Office, Mrs. Aderonke Akinola and WHO Acting Coordinator in Ekiti State, Mr Emmanuel Eyitayo implored media organizations to continue to disseminate right information that will encourage people to receive Covid-19 vaccines.

    On her part, the Ekiti state Immunization Officer, Mrs  Christiana Ajimati said three hundred and seventeen thousand, eight hundred and eighty four people out of  the three million people from eighteen years and above to be captured have been fully vaccinated.

    Also, one of the Participants and General Manager of Progress FM Ado Ekiti, Mr DOKUN Ladele described the advocacy meeting as a welcome development towards addressing all issues surrounding covid-19 vaccines.

    About fifty participants drawn from media organizations and Local Government Information Officers attended the advocacy meeting on Covid-19 vaccines.

    Amos Ogunrinde