Health

Fear has gripped hospital workers in Ebonyi State following an internal memo within the National Obstetric Fistula Centre, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, alerting workers of an outbreak of a new variant of COVID-19 in the State.

The internal memo dated August 22, 2023, emanated from the office of the head of clinical services and was addressed to the hospital community.

It was tiled: ‘FYI: COVID IS ON THE PROWL AGAIN, CAUTION, PLEASE’, and signed by Dr. Yakubu E.N, Head of Clinical Services.

It reads, “With the new variant, BA.4 and BA.5 COVID delta, there is no cough, no fever. It’s a lot of joint pain, headache, neck and upper back pain, general weakness, loss of appetite and pneumonia. Sore throat that resembles strep throat, and of course, more virulent and with a higher mortality rate. It takes less time to go to extremes. Sometimes without symptoms. Be more careful.

“This strain does not live in the naso-pharyngeal region. Now it directly affects the lungs, which means that the ‘windows’ periods of time are shorter. There have been several patients without fever, without pain, but who report mild chest pneumonia on their X-rays. Nasal swab tests are very often negative for Covid-19, and there are more and more false negative results from nasopharyngeal tests.

This means that the virus spreads and spreads directly to the lungs, causing acute respiratory stress caused by viral pneumonia. This explains why it has become sharp, more virulent and deadly. Please, be extremely careful.

“Avoid crowded places, keep 1.5 distance even in open places, double face masks and wash your hands often (and when we cough or sneeze). Please no hugs, it is very dangerous at the moment, as almost everyone is asymptomatic. This “wave” is much more deadly than the first, so we have to be VERY careful and take every kind of precaution.

“Do not keep this information to yourself; share it as much as you can, especially with your friends.”

It was gathered that the memo has created panic within the hospital community and the entire State.

But a senior health official, who spoke under anonymity expressed doubt over the authenticity of the claims by Yakubu.

That memo has created unnecessary panic in the State. If there is an outbreak of COVID, Dr Yakubu shouldn’t be the one to announce it; the ministry of health is the right authority.

We don’t know where he got the information from, but I’m not aware of an outbreak of COVID-19 or any of its strains in Ebonyi State,” she stated.

As of the time of filing this report, the Ebonyi State Ministry of Health is yet to react to the memo.

Daily Post/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

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Health

By Oluwatosin Ighoteguono

Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency has implored parents to ensure that their children of eighteen years and above present themselves for Covid-19 vaccine in health facilities across the eighteen local government areas of the state.

Permanent Secretary of the agency, Dr Francis Akanbiemu stated this during a stakeholders meeting on routine immunisation and Covid-19 in Akure.

Dr Akanbiemu who was represented by the agency’s director, community health services and education, Dr Samuel Abiona noted that children who were not up to eighteen years when COVID-19 hit the country still had the opportunity of the vaccine now that they were at the prescribed age.

The medical expert also advised Nigerians who were yet to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to do so as there were still cases of the disease in the country.

Giving update on immunisation, the Ondo state Immunisation officer, Mrs Comfort Olagundoye said the state still maintained its leading position in routine immunisation while that of COVID-19 was not encouraging urging residents to go for booster doses of the vaccine at primary healthcare facilities.

The meeting was attended by some key stakeholders such as health educators, market women, journalists, religious leaders including the chairman of CAN in Ondo State, Reverend Father Anslem Ologunwa who applauded the efforts of Ondo State government at boosting the health sector.

Foreign

Chinese people have rushed to book overseas travel after Beijing announced it would reopen its borders next month.

The immigration administration has said Passport applications for Chinese citizens wishing to travel internationally will resume from 8 January.

It follows an announcement on Monday that ended almost three years of strict quarantine rules for arrivals, as travel sites have since reported a spike in traffic.

But Chinese tourists will not have unfettered access to all countries.

Officials in the US are considering new restrictions on travellers from China due to concerns about a surge in cases and a lack of transparency from the Chinese government.

“There are mounting concerns in the international community on the ongoing Covid-19 surges in China and the lack of transparent data, including viral genomic sequence data,” US officials said in a statement quoted by news agencies.

“Without this data, it is becoming increasingly difficult for public health officials to ensure that they will be able to identify any potential new variants and take prompt measures to reduce the spread.”

Japan – one of the most popular destinations for Chinese travellers – has announced that all travellers from China must show a negative Covid test on arrival, or quarantine for seven days, because of the surge in cases there.

India has also said travellers from China (as well as some other countries) must show a negative Covid test when they arrive – though this was announced before Beijing’s easing of restrictions.

The easing of travel rules in China – the last part of the country’s zero-Covid policy – comes as the country battles a new wave of infections.

Resentment against the government’s policy – which sparked rare public protests against President Xi Jinping in November – led to a relaxation of Covid restrictions across the country.

But an increase in Covid cases followed, with reports of hospitals being overwhelmed and a shortage of drugs.

The announcement on outbound travel on Tuesday came after Monday’s news, which axed quarantine rules for travellers arriving in China. It also scrapped a cap on the daily number of flights.

On the same day, the National Health Commission announced that Covid would be formally downgraded to a Class B infectious disease on 8 January.

Before the relaxation of travel rules, people were strongly discouraged from travelling abroad. The sale of an outbound group and package travel was banned, according to marketing solutions company Dragon Trail International.

Within half an hour of Monday’s notice that China’s borders would reopen, data from travel site Trip.com – cited in Chinese media – showed searches for popular destinations had increased ten-fold year-on-year.

Macau, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand and South Korea were the most popular destinations.

In addition, Chinese travel agency Qunar saw flight enquiries on its website increase seven-fold within the first 15 minutes after the announcement, the China Daily reports.

Before the pandemic, the number of outbound tourists from China stood at 155 million in 2019, according to Statista. This number dropped to 20 million in 2020.

This year, some people in China will hope to visit family and loved ones during Chinese New Year, which begins on 22 January.

But inside China, there has been a mixed reaction.

“I’m happy about it but also speechless. If we’re doing this [reopening] anyway – why did I have to suffer all the daily Covid tests and lockdowns this year?” said Rachel Liu, who lives in Shanghai.

She said she had endured three months of lockdown in April – but nearly everyone in her family had become infected in recent weeks.

She said her parents, grandparents and partner – living across three different cities in Xi’an, Shanghai and Hangzhou – had all come down with fever last week.

Many have also expressed concern online about borders reopening as Covid cases peak.

“Why can’t we wait until this wave passes to open up? The medical workers are already worn out, and old people won’t survive two infections in one month,” read one top-liked comment on Weibo.

People in cities like Beijing and Shanghai, which experience chilly temperatures in the winter, say they’re running out of flu and cold medicine.

It’s feared that hundreds of deaths may be going unreported as crematoriums are overwhelmed.

In the capital, Beijing, authorities say they are planning to distribute the Pfizer tablets, Paxlovid, in order to try to reduce the severity of infections. But health centres contacted by The Global Times on Monday said the drug had yet to be delivered.

On Monday, President Xi issued his first remarks on the changes, calling on officials to do what was “feasible” to save lives.

China’s about-turn has put Mr Xi in a tough spot. He was the driving force behind zero-Covid, which many blamed for restricting people’s lives excessively and crippling the economy.

But having abandoned it, analysts say he now has to take responsibility for the huge wave of infections and hospital admissions. Many have questioned why the country was not better prepared.

BBC/Taiwo Akinola

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Foreign

More than a million people have now been sickened by what Pyongyang is calling a fever.

According to North Korea state media, some 50 people have died, but it’s unclear how many of those suspected cases tested positive for Covid.

North Korea has only limited testing capacity, so few cases are confirmed.
North Koreans are likely to be especially vulnerable to the virus due to lack of vaccinations and a poor healthcare system.

A nationwide lockdown is in place in the reclusive country.

State media said Mr Kim led an emergency politburo meeting at the weekend where he accused officials of bungling the distribution of the national medicine reserves.

He ordered that the “powerful forces” of the army’s medical corps step in to “immediately stabilise the supply of medicines in Pyongyang City”.

The country announced its first confirmed Covid cases last week – although experts believe the virus has likely been circulating for some time.

Mr Kim has imposed “maximum emergency” virus controls, including lockdowns and gathering restrictions in workplaces.

The international community offered to supply North Korea with millions of AstraZeneca and Chinese-made jabs last year, but Pyongyang claimed it had controlled Covid by sealing its borders early in January 2020.

BBC/Opeyemi Olugbenga

Religion

Muslims should not let Ramadan fast prevent them from getting a Covid-19 jab.

This was the submission of Islamic scholars at a stakeholders meeting in Ibadan on Ramadan and Vaccination organized by Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board in collaboration with with Breakthrough Action Nigeria.

According to Sheikh Salaudeen Busairy, islamic scholars have agreed that taking jab during Ramadan fast can not break it because vaccine pass through the muscle rather than the bloodstream and not nutritious.

lSimilarly, Alhaji Abdul Ganiy Abdussalam of Bodija Muslim Community said the Quran posited that to save one life is to save the whole of humanity, hence it is a responsibility of a practising Muslim to take the vaccine.

He enjoined Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board to ensure that vaccination centres are closer to people to boost take up among minority communities.

n her contribution, the Amirah, Federation of Muslim Womens Associations in Nigeria, FOMWAN, Oyo State chapter, Dr Bushroh Olosho urged muslims to get vaccinated to protect their future.

n official of Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board, Mr Olukayode Akinpelu said the meeting was intended to provide islamic backing to encourage taking Covid-19 jab during Ramadan.

In a welcome address, Oyo State coordinator, Breakthrough Action Nigeria (BA-N), Mrs Toyin Afachung, advocated the support of Islamic scholars in promoting vaccination.

Nafiu Busari

News Yoruba

Ijoba apapo ti kede liana erongba re lati maa gbe abere ajesare arun covid-19 lo sawon ile ijosin omoleyin Kristi atawon aaye ijosin mi lara liana to ti pare fun gbigba abere ajesera naa.

Oga agba ajo eleto ilera alabode nileyi Dokita Faisal Shuiiab lo yoju erongba naa sita nilu Abuja.

O salaye pe, ni ibamu pelu sise ise po pelu awon ipinle, ijoba apapo ti sagbekale ilana gbigba abere naa fawon osise lawon ile ise ijoba, leka jeka. Lajo lajo awon ile ise aladani atawon ile ise nla-nla to fi mo awon ise  ijosin, awon molebi won atawon alabagbe to fimo awon osise feyinti.

Dokita shuaib salaye pea won yoo si maa tesiwaju lati maa mojuto ipa ti abere naa n imago ara awon eyan, pelu iroyin to nise pelu bi abere naa se n ri logo ara.

O wa tun fi ami idaniloju re han lori ifokansin ijoba apapo nipase ile ise eto ilera ijoba apapo fun agbekale abere ajesara ti aabo wa fun, to sise to si je ofe ki arun covid-19 le di afiseyin teegun alaro fiiso.

Alamu/Olaopa

Health

The United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, has donated personal protective equipment to the Oyo State primary healthcare board in the care of survivors of female genital mutilation.
The PPE include arm length gloves, surgical mask, surgical aprons and goggles.


Presenting the PPE to the board Executive Secretary at the state secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, Director for Centre for Population and Reproductive Health, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Professor Oladosu Ojengbede noted that the equipment would encourage health workers to provide comprehensive services to prevent and manage complications and resettle women living with female genital mutilation.


Professor Ojengbede also stated that the centre had trained over three hundred health workers at primary healthcare levels to lead to elimination of female genital mutilation.
Professor Ojengbede added that the organisation had also donated PPE’s such as handwashing equipment, masks, sanitizers and educating the people on protection against covid 19.
Receiving the PPE, Executive Secretary, Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Muyideen Olatunji while appreciating the kind gesture of UNFPA maintained that the items would be distributed among the healthcare facilities across the state.
Dr. Olatunji solicited for more support from UNFPA and called on philanthropic individuals and organisations to partner the Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board for service to humanity.

Olumide Ogunbiyi

Yoruba

Kíkùnà àwọn èyàn nílẹ̀ Nàijírìa láti tẹ̀lé àwọn àlàkelẹ̀ òfin tó rọ̀mọ́ dídànà àrùn covid 19 èyí tí ilésẹ́ tón mójútó ìtànkalẹ̀ rẹ̀ làkalẹ̀ ni ó sokùnfà báwọn náà[sen pọ̀si alákoso fọ́rọ̀ ìròyìn àti àsà, Àlhájì Lai Mohammed ló sọ̀rs yí lásìkò tón kópa lórí ètò ilésẹ́ Radio Nigeria àpapọ̀ ilẹ̀ yí lóní tí wọ́n pè ní Politics Nationwide.

Àlhájì Mohammed tọ́kasi pé pẹ̀lú bí ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ àwọn èyàn nílẹ̀ yí se ti kùnà láti mú àwọn ìlànà yi lò bóse yẹ, ló léwu lọ́pọ̀ fún ìlera àwọn èyàn àwùjọ.

Ó tẹnumọ pàtàkì òfin èyí tí àrẹ Buhari fọwọ́sí láipẹ yi, Àlhájì Mohammed wá sèkìlọ̀ fáwọn ilésẹ́ ńláńlá àti lájọlájọ láti tẹ̀lé òfin ọ̀hún nítorí pé ẹnikẹ́ni tó bá tàpá sófin ni osese kí kélé òfin gbe kó sì rí ẹ̀wọ̀n he.

Net/Afọnja   

Sport

Scholarships await outstanding Athletes at the Post COVID-19 Track and Relay Meet expected to commence on the 27th of this month in Oyo state.

Chairman, Oyo state Athletics Association, Dr. Isaac Ogada who revealed this in Ibadan, while speaking with Radio Nigeria, said that the event would be in four categories.

According to Dr. Ogada, outstanding Athletes in the Under 11 and Under 15 categories of the event are to be awarded scholarships till secondary Schools’ level, while their counterparts in the Under 17/Youth clubs of 17 years old category are to enjoy the scholarship opportunities till Universities’ level.

“Aparts from prizes and educational materials to be given to the winners in the Under 11 and Under 14 categories, scholarship opportunities would also be awarded to outstanding Athletes and we are also partnering some Universities within and outside the country to give scholarship awards to those in the Under 17 category, who are mostly to be students in Senior secondary schools or youth clubs”Ogada told Radio Nigeria

The sports administrator explained that Athletics clubs, Higher Institutions, Military and Paramilitary are to participate in the fourth category, which is the Open Event and winners are to go home with cash prizes.

Dr. Ogada noted that the aim of the Post COVID-19 Track and Relay Meet would not only discover talents, but equally enable professional Athletes to keep fit ahead of competitions.

“Due to this Covid 19, many of the professional Athletes have dropped in terms of timing and fitness levels, so we need to organize this event for them to be back on track, also we want to get hidden talents and expose them because there are a lot of youth championships coming up next year.”

Dr. Ogada, while maintaining that Nigeria is blessed with many sports talents, stressed the need for governments, well meaning Individuals and corporate organisations to contribute greatly to grassroot sports development.

The Post COVID 19 Track and Relay Meet comes up at the Obafemi Awolowo stadium, Oke Ado, Ibadan, Oyo state from 27th to 29th of this month.

Olaolu Fawole

Foreign

England is in a 4 weeks lockdown to help stop a second wave of coronavirus infections.

The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson who made the announcement on Saturday asked everyone to stay at home whenever possible.

You can still go to school – they’re staying open, and if the adults in your family can’t do their job from home they’ll still be able to go into work.

‘Non-essential retail’ will shut – that means places like restaurants, cinemas and leisure centres will close. But food shops will stay open, as will takeaways and click-and-collect services.

It comes after Mr Johnson introduced a three-tiered lockdown system earlier this month.

Unlike the tiered system, this new lockdown will apply to everyone and the restrictions will be much stricter.

Mr Johnson said that after December 2, the restrictions would be eased and regions would go back to the tiered system already in place across England

Source: radionigeria.gov.ng

Economy

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has directed all public and private schools, markets and religious centres to reopen their regular programme of activities fully as obtained before the outbreak of COVID 19 in the country.

In statement by his Chief Press Secretary Mr Kunle Somorin, Governor Abiodun also announced that viewing centres, cinemas, restaurants, eateries, bars, event centres, hotels, and entertainment centres in the state can now reopen for business.

Governor Abiodun explained that prior to the holding of any event, entertainment centres should obtain license and safety clearance from the Government, adding that operation of all cinemas should not exceed 10 pm.

While pointing out that the state government would not hesitate to do selective lockdown should there be any disobedience to the  COVID-19 protocols, Governor Abiodun maintained that any  facility that defied the

guidelines would be sanctioned.

He called on the owners of the facilities to cooperate with the state government, pointing out that violations of COVID-19 protocols would attract  sanctions which include fine and closure of the premises.

Bolanle Adesida

Yoruba

Ikọ̀ amúsẹ́ yáà, ìjọba àpapọ̀ fárùn covid-19 PTF ti sèkìlọ̀ fáwọn èèyàn tó ńwọlé  sórílẹ̀èdè yíì, láti tẹ̀lé àwọn ìlànà tóóyẹ bí àwọn páapáakọ̀ òfurufú se bẹ̀rẹ̀ isẹ́ padà.

Olùdarí àjọ PTF, Dókítà Sani Aliyu, ẹnitó sọ̀rọ̀ yíì, níbi àbọ̀ isẹ́ ikọ̀ náà nílu Abuja sọpé, gbogbo àwọn arìnrìn-àjò tó ńwọlé sílẹ̀ yíì, nílò ìwé-ẹ̀rí àyẹ̀wò àrùn covid-19 tósì gbọ́dọ̀ wáyé yálà wákàtí méjìléládọrun tàbí ọjọ́ méje sáàjú ọjọ́ ìrìnàjò.

Ótún sàlàyé pé, àwọn arìnrìn-àjò tóbáfẹ́ wọlé sílẹ̀ Nàijírìa, gbọ́dọ̀ forúkọ sílẹ̀ lójú òpó ilẹ̀ Nàigjírìa kíwọ́n si sanwó fún àyẹ́wò tí yóò wáyé nílẹ̀ yíì, kíwọ́n sì dáhùn àwọn ìbere tóníse pẹ̀lú ètò ìlera lórí ẹ̀rọ ayélujára.

Ó sọdi mímọ̀ pé, níbamu pẹ̀lú gbígbaradì fún ìbẹ̀rẹ̀ isẹ́ padpa àwọn páapáakọ̀ òfurufú, lọ́jọ́ karun osù yíì.

Ẹwẹ ikọ̀ amúsẹ́yá ọ̀hún tí ńsisẹ́ pọ̀ pẹ̀lú àwọn àjọ láti fẹsẹ̀ òfin tóòyẹ múlẹ̀ nídi àbò àwọn arìnrìn-àjò dídènà kíkóò àrùn mi wọ orílẹ̀èdè yíì tófimọ́ dídènà ìtànkálẹ̀ àarùn covid-19.

idogbe    

Health

Since the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, World Health Organization, WHO, recommended the use of face mask or shield to curb the spread of the disease.

Also, Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, on April 27th mandated the use of face masks or covering in public places in view of the ways in which the virus is being transmitted from one person to the other.

However, there is a contrary directive from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, on the use of face shield.

To this end, most Nigerians are confused on whether to use nose mask or face shield or the combination of the two apparatus to combat the spread of the virus.

Our Health correspondent, captured opinions of stakeholders on the use of face shield and nose mask.

Click to listen

https://radionigeriaibadan.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/FACE-SHIELD-ADVISE-RPT.mp3

Titilayo Kupoliyi

Health

As the total lockdown of Ilesa-East, Ilesa-West, Atakumosa East and
Atakumosa West Local government areas begins today, Osun state
government has closed Osun Ankara,   Ibodi, breweries, Osu, Iperindo,
Ijebujesa-Zenababs, Osunjela, Idominasi roads.

Speaking on the development, the Commissioner for Information and
Civil Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode confirmed that the state task
force, security operatives had been mandated to strictly enforce the
restrictions.

Mrs Egbemode urged residents of these areas to support the fight
against the pandemic by strictly observing all guidelines set by
government to curtail the recent surge of confirmed cases of Covid-19
in the affected axis.

In a similar development, the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, says it will commence operation “no face mask and social distancing”, no entry
into Osun state.

The State Sector Commander Corps, Mr Ebenezer Asaniyan said this in a
chat with newsmen in Osogbo.

Mr Asaniyan who explained that the special operation was in compliance with Federal and state governments’ directives on Covid-19, expressed the hope that the step would address the spread of Coronavirus in the state.

The Sector commander implored motorists and passengers to always wear
Face masks and observe social distancing rule to avoid arrest.

Details in our subsequent bulletins.

Tope Egbemode

Health

Ogun State Government has expressed it readiness to monitor recent lifting of the ban on interstate travel towards determining its impact on COVID-19 situation.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Kunle Somorin, indicates that the state government will not hesitate to make appropriate adjustment in consultation with the Federal Government.

The statement explains that the present administration in the state will continue to place highest priority on public safety in its efforts to flatten the curve of the dreaded COVID-19 virus, adding  that available data and opinions of experts shows that the fight against the virus is far from being won. 

It says that schools will remained shut, adding that a committee has been set up to engage all stakeholders in public and private schools towards developing Guidelines for a safe reopening of schools, especially to allow certificate classes to resume and write their examinations. 

The statement shows that all existing guidelines to flatten the curve of the pandemic, including total lockdown on weekends and night curfew remains sacrosanct, and says that the present administration in the state will review and modify  the guidelines continuously in response to data from the field and experts opinions.

Bolanle Adesida

Security

The Transition Chairman of Ifo Local Government, Ogun State, Mr. Fola Salami says Lockdown officials involved in the assault of a lady at Ojodu Abiodun Area of the council have been suspended without pay until further notice.

The transition Chairman said the viral video came to him as a rude shock when one of the lockdown officials claimed they were enforcing the lockdown order with gross inhumane attitude.

https://twitter.com/TeeBaibie/status/1274398177077141508

The transition Chairman said the attitude of the officials does not portray the human nature known with Ifo local Government and ordered the arrest of the culprits.

The chairman assured the public that all hands are on deck to ensure justice and deal decisively with those found guilty in the incident.

Wale Oluokun

Health

The Oyo State COVID-19 Task Force announced on Monday that it has relaxed the curfew imposed on the state following the advent of the ravaging Coronavirus pandemic.

The Task Force, which made the decision public after a two-and-a-half-hour meeting presided by its chairman, Governor Seyi Makinde, added that the curfew would now run from 10pm to 4am.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, confirmed that other decisions reached include the resumption of classes for Primary Six, JSS3 and SS3 students from Monday, June29, resumption of work by all category of workers at the state secretariat from June 22, opening up of mosques and churches, which are to operate at 25 per cent capacity, and the decision to limit public gathering to not more than 25 persons.

The statement indicated that the state secretariat, which was earlier shut on March 27 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and later reopened to staff on grade level 13 and above from Monday, April 27, would now be open to all other staffers from Monday, June 22.

According to the statement, students in critical classes are to resume at the end of June to ensure they are well-prepared for the public examinations ahead of them.

The statement read: “The schools are to observe the COVID-19 protocols as released by the Task Force, ensure that stations for washing of hands are provided in all schools, while all students are to compulsorily wear face masks.

“Schools are to provide hand wash points with the support of their Parents/Teachers Associations (PTA).

“The resumption of critical classes at the end of June 2020, would be two clear weeks ahead of the state’s drop-dead date of July 15. By that date, it would be decided whether other categories of students will return to the classes.”

The statement further read: “Mosques and Churches are to reopen and operate at not more than 25 per cent capacity. The situation will be reviewed within the first two weeks. All worshippers are to compulsorily wear face masks.

“Night clubs are to remain shut even though the existing curfew, which used to run from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m, is being aligned with that of the Federal Government, which runs from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

“The Task Force will not mind shutting down everywhere if evidence emerges that the COVID-19 safety protocols are being violated, or should there be an explosion in the number of cases, however, the state government will intensify enlightenment campaigns to ensure the safety of our people.”

The statement also added that the resumption order will not affect the tertiary institutions for now, as the Task Force would review their situation and determine their state of readiness.

Signed:

Taiwo Adisa,

Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde

June 15, 2020.

Health

The Ogun state government has condemned reckless filming of a dying person claimed to be the video of a 25-year old young man who died in an isolation center.

A statement by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker made available in Abeokuta said that there is no 25-year-old Male admitted into any of the isolation centers in Ogun state.

The statement said the arrangement in the state isolation wards are spacious to meet with the social distancing regulation stipulated by World Health Organization, WHO, contrary to the space displayed in the propaganda video.

Dr. Coker said that the bank logo on the cabinet also showed that it was donated by the said bank which is a sign that the place in question is not an Ogun state isolation center, as Ogun state government did not receive relief material from the bank. 

The Commissioner said that none of Ogun state isolation centers is painted in the color also shown in the footage.

Dr. Coker said it was inappropriate for a hospital environment meant for taking care of the sick, to be turned into a place where such frivolous video would be recorded.

She described the action as disheartening.

Wale Oluokun

Health

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has banned operations of major markets in Ondo state to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

Governor Akeredolu who gave the directive while briefing newsmen at the Government House in Akure, named the affected markets as Ojaoba, Isikan, Iloro, shasha and other equivalent markets in the state.

https://radionigeriaibadan.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Ondocovidmarket.mp3

The governor who decried disobedience of the social and physical distancing directive at the markets, hence the closure as from next week, however, explained that the markets would be allowed to open on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The governor also directed that perishable goods such as tomatoes, and pepper would be allowed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Shasha, Iloro and other equivalent markets across the state. 

He further reaffirmed the ban on non-food items and total blockade of the state boundaries where some positive COVID-19 cases came in through.

Mr Akeredolu who disclosed that three members of staff of the State Infectious Hospital Center had contracted Coronavirus, announced special hazard allowances for health workers in the state who were on the front line in the fight against COVID-19

Olorunferanmi Odofin

Health

One of the measures recommended by Health experts in containing the spread of coronavirus or COVID-19 is the use of face masks.

In fact, many states as well as the Federal government has made its use compulsory in public places.

Many people have come up with different designs and styles of face masks aside the N95 respirators and surgical masks to protect themselves.

The information making the rounds on social media, that prolonged use of face masks could lead to hypoxia is however generating concern among the people.

This they believe could discourage the use of face masks thereby causing exposure to the dreadful disease.

Speaking on the authenticity or otherwise of this information, Radio Nigeria spoke with an anaesthetist at the University College Hospital, UCH lbadan, Dr Babatunde Osinaike.

He explained that hypoxia, a condition where not enough oxygen makes it to the cells and tissues in the body could only occur when people put on something that completely prevent air from entering and coming out of the airways.

The likelihood of anyone becoming hypoxic is very slim with the face masks we are using and the risk of you accumulating carbon dioxide that will make you drowsy or dizzy is also very low.

Furthermore, Dr Osinaike said

“ln the theatre we have our face masks on for as many hours as the surgery is on and there is no problem with anybody”

On the suggestion that people lift the mask every ten minutes, he said this could really be dangerous in a place where people were prone to the risk of inhaling droplets from an infected person.

On his part, a public health expert, Dr Adekunle Adekola who identified the various types of masks in use to include the N95 respirators, the surgical and cloth masks said their functionality and efficiency depend on proper usage

“Let’s also note that people could react to things in different ways, so whichever one you are wearing, ensure to watch your bodies’ reaction to it and as such you could also discuss this with your medical doctor”.

The fact remains however that when people put on face masks air still find a way through into the nostrils.

Anthonia Akanji.

Health

91 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported;

74 in Lagos
5 in Katsina
4 in Ogun
2 in Delta
2 in Edo
1 in Kwara
1 in Oyo
1 in FCT
1 in Adamawa
As at 11:25 pm 22nd April there are 873 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in Nigeria.
Discharged: 197
Deaths: 28
As at 11:25 pm 22nd April, breakdown of cases by state:
Lagos-504
FCT-119
Kano-73
Ogun-24
Katsina-21
Osun-20
Oyo-17
Edo-17
Kwara-10
Kaduna-9
Akwa Ibom-9
Borno-9
Bauchi-8
Delta-6
Gombe-5
Ekiti-4
Ondo-3
Rivers-3
Jigawa-2
Enugu-2
Niger-2
Abia-2
Benue-1
Anambra-1
Sokoto-1
Adamawa-1
NCDCgov

Health News

Oyo state government has commenced training for one hundred tailors to produce one million facemasks as one of the measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the state.

The training was held at the conference room of the Ministry of Health, Secretariat, Ibadan.

Speaking with Radio Nigeria, President, Association of Tailors, Oyo State Chapter, Mr Ojewale Oloyede, lauded the state government for the initiative.

Mr Ojewale said the association selected the participants across the thirty- three local government, based on the principle of fairness and equity.

The Association’s President gave an assurance that the association would deliver the project according to standard and specification.

It would be recalled that Governor Seyi Makinde while mandating the use of facemask last week had expressed the readiness of his administration to produce one million facemask for the residents of Oyo state.

Iyabo Adebisi

Health

In this time of COVID-19, one way to stay healthy is to ensure that the immune system is fortified.

The Social media space is awashed with different methods and tips on how to do this, such as consumption of combos made from honey, garlic, orange and eating herbs such as bitter leaves, scent leaves and moringa leaves.

These stories are further enhanced by voice notes and video messages of people who supposedly recovered from COVID-19.

One may like to know if these actually helps in boosting the immune system.

Coordinator, Civil Society scaling up Nutrition in Nigeria, Pastor Adio Olusegun called for caution in consuming everything recommended via the social media as this could endanger their lives and health.

In the same vein, a Public Health Nutritionist, Mrs Yetunde Adeseluka Oladejo explained that the immune system could be strengthened by eating foods high in anti-oxidants.

“Foods high in anti-oxidants found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains have the capacity to boost immunity and those rich in Vitamin C such as okro, orange, banana, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and fruits that contain Vitamin A, Vitamin E found in salmon, egg yolk, meat, yam, fortified milk, cocoyam and wheat.

We need a variety of them to be able to protect our bodies from infections “The Nutritionists stressed that drinking a lot of water and physical exercise would go a long way in keeping the body strong and resistant to diseases provided there were no underlying health issues.

Anthonia Akanji.

Health

Twenty new cases of COVID-19 have been reported as follows:
13 in Lagos
2 in Edo
2 in Kano
2 in Ogun
1 in Ondo
As at 09:50 pm 13th April there are 343 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in Nigeria. 91 have been discharged with 10 deaths.
No of states with confirmed cases:19.
Lagos- 189
FCT- 56
Osun- 20
Edo- 14
Oyo- 11
Ogun- 9
Bauchi- 6
Kaduna- 6
Akwa Ibom- 5
Katsina-5
Kwara- 4
Ondo- 3
Delta- 3
Kano- 3
Enugu- 2
Ekiti- 2
Rivers-2
Benue- 1
Niger- 1
Anambra- 1
@NCDCgov

Health

President Muhammadu Buhari has extended the total lockdown in Lagos, Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT for another 14 days to curb the spread of Coronavirus pandemic in the country.

He stated this during a live broadcast to review the initial lockdown which ended yesterday.

President Buhari said the decision to extend the lockdown was based on the report of the Presidential Task Force and the various options offered to protect lives of Nigerians and residents as well as to preserve the livelihoods of workers and business owners.


He emphasized that the cessation of movement, physical distancing measures and the prohibition of mass gatherings remained the most efficient and effective way of reducing the transmission of the virus.

“Having carefully considered the briefings and Report from the Presidential Task Force and the various options offered, it has become necessary to extend the current restriction of movement in Lagos and Ogun States as well as the FCT for another 14 days effective from 11:59 pm on Monday, 13th of April, 2020. I am therefore once again asking you all to work with Government in this fight”
“This is not a joke. It is a matter of life and death. Mosques in Makkah and Madina have been closed. The Pope celebrated Mass on an empty St. Peter’s Square. The famous Notre Dame cathedral in Paris held Easter Mass with less than 10 people. India, Italy and France are in complete lockdown. Other countries are in the process of following suit. We cannot be lax”.

“The previously issued guidelines on exempted services shall remain.
This is a difficult decision to take, but I am convinced that this is the right decision. The evidence is clear. The repercussions of any premature end to the lockdown action are unimaginable. We must not lose the gains achieved thus far. We must not allow a rapid increase in community transmission. We must endure a little longer”.

Full speech:

Fellow Nigerians, in my address on Sunday, 29th March, 2020, I asked the residents of Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Federal Capital Territory to stay at home for an initial period of fourteen days starting from Monday, 30th March 2020.


Many State Governments also introduced similar restrictions. As your democratically elected leaders, we made this very difficult decision knowing fully well it will severely disrupt your livelihoods and bring undue hardship to you, your loved ones and your communities.


However, such sacrifices are needed to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our country. They were necessary to save lives. Our objective was, and still remains, to contain the spread of the Coronavirus and to provide space, time and resources for an aggressive and collective action.


The level of compliance to the COVID-19 guidelines issued has been generally good across the country. I wish to thank you all most sincerely for the great sacrifice you are making for each other at this critical time.


I will take this opportunity to recognise the massive support from our traditional rulers, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) during this pandemic.
I also acknowledge the support and contributions received from public-spirited individuals, the business community and our international partners and friend.


I must also thank the media houses, celebrities and other public figures for the great work they are doing in sensitizing our citizens on hygienic practices, social distancing and issues associated with social gatherings.
As a result of the overwhelming support & cooperation received, we were able to achieve a lot during these 14 days of initial lockdown.

We implemented comprehensive public health measures that intensified our case identification, testing, isolation & contact tracing capabilities.
To date, we have identified 92% of all identified contacts while doubling the number of testing laboratories in the country and raising our testing capacity to 1,500 tests per day.


We also trained over 7,000 healthcare workers on infection prevention and control, while deploying NCDC teams to 19 states of the federation.
Lagos and Abuja today have the capacity to admit some 1,000 patients each across several treatment centres. Many State Governments have also made provisions for isolation wards and treatment centres. We will also build similar centers near our airports and land borders.


Using our resources and those provided through donations, we will adequately equip and man these centres in the coming weeks.
Already, health care workers across all the treatment centers have been provided with the personal protective equipment that they need to safely carry out the care they provide.


Our hope and prayers are that we do not have to use all these centres. But we will be ready for all eventualities.


At this point, I must recognize the incredible work being done by our healthcare workers and volunteers across the country especially in frontline areas of Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).


You are our heroes and as a nation, we will forever remain grateful for your sacrifice during this very difficult time. More measures to motivate our health care workers are being introduced which we will announce in the coming weeks.


As a nation, we are on the right track to win the fight against COVID-19. However, I remain concerned about the increase in number of confirmed cases and deaths being reported across the world and in Nigeria specifically.


On 30th March 2020, when we started our lockdown in conforming with medical and scientific advice, the total number of confirmed cases across the world was over 780,000.


Yesterday, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases globally was over one million, eight hundred and fifty thousand. This figure is more than double in two weeks.


In the last fourteen days alone, over 70,000 people have died due to this disease. In the same period, we have seen the health systems of even the most developed nations being overwhelmed by this virus.


Here in Nigeria, we had 131 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in 12 States on 30th March 2020. We had two fatalities then.


This morning, Nigeria had 323 confirmed cases in twenty States. Unfortunately we now have ten fatalities.

Lagos State remains the center and accounts for 54% of the confirmed cases in Nigeria.


When combined with the FCT, the two locations represent over 71% of the confirmed cases in Nigeria.


Most of our efforts will continue to focus in these two locations. Majority of the confirmed cases in Lagos and the FCT are individuals with recent international travel history or those that came into contact with returnees from international trips.


By closing our airports and land borders and putting strict conditions for seaport activities, we have reduced the impact of external factors on our country.

However, the increase in the number of States with positive cases is alarming.


The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has informed me that, a large proportion of new infections are now occurring in our communities, through person-to-person contacts.

So we must pay attention to the danger of close contact between person to person.


At this point, I will remind all Nigerians to continue to take responsibility for the recommended measures to prevent transmission, including maintaining physical distancing, good personal hygiene and staying at home.


In addition, I have signed the Quarantine Order in this regard and additional regulations to provide clarity in respect of the control measures for the COVID-19 pandemic which will be released soon.


The public health response to COVID-19 is built on our ability to detect, test and admit cases as well as trace all their contacts. While I note some appreciable progress, we can achieve a lot more.


Today, the cessation of movement, physical distancing measures and the prohibition of mass gatherings remain the most efficient and effective way of reducing the transmission of the virus.


By sustaining these measures, combined with extensive testing and contact tracing, we can take control and limit the spread of the disease.


Our approach to the virus remains in 2 steps – First, to protect the lives of our fellow Nigerians and residents living here and second, to preserve the livelihoods of workers and business owners.


With this in mind and having carefully considered the briefings and Report from the Presidential Task Force and the various options offered, it has become necessary to extend the current restriction of movement in Lagos and Ogun States as well as the FCT for another 14 days effective from 11:59 pm on Monday, 13th of April, 2020. I am therefore once again asking you all to work with Government in this fight.


This is not a joke, it is a matter of life and death. Mosques in Makkah and Madina have been closed. The Pope celebrated Mass on an empty St. Peter’s Square. The famous Notre Dame cathedral in Paris held Easter Mass with less than 10 people.


India, Italy and France are in complete lockdown. Other countries are in the process of following suit. We cannot be lax.


The previously issued guidelines on exempted services shall remain.
This is a difficult decision to take, but I am convinced that this is the right decision. The evidence is clear.

The repercussions of any premature end to the lockdown action are unimaginable.


We must not lose the gains achieved thus far. We must not allow a rapid increase in community transmission. We must endure a little longer.


I will therefore take this opportunity to urge you all to notify the relevant authorities if you or your loved ones develop any symptoms.


I will also ask our health care professionals to redouble their efforts to identify all suspected cases, bring them into care and prevent transmission to others.


No country can afford the full impact of a sustained restriction of movement on its economy. I am fully aware of the great difficulties experienced especially by those who earn a daily wage such as traders, daily workers, artisans and manual workers.


For this group, their sustenance depends on their ability to go out. Their livelihoods depend on them mingling with others and about seeking work. But despite these realities, we must not change the restrictions.


In the past two weeks, we announced palliative measures such as food distribution, cash transfers and loans repayment waivers to ease the pains of our restrictive policies during this difficult time.

These palliatives will be sustained.


I have also directed that the current Social Register be expanded from 2.6 million households to 3.6 million households in the next two weeks
This means we will support an additional one million homes with our social investment programs.

A technical committee is working on this and will submit a report to me by the end of this week.


The Security Agencies have risen to the challenges posed by this unprecedented situation with gallantry and I commend them.


I urge them to continue to maintain utmost vigilance, firmness as well as restraint in enforcing the restriction orders while not neglecting statutory security responsibilities.


Fellow Nigerians, follow the instructions on social distancing. The irresponsibility of the few can lead to the death of the many. Your freedom ends where other people’s rights begin.


The response of our State Governors has been particularly impressive, especially in aligning their policies and actions to those of the Federal Government.


In the coming weeks, I want to assure you that the Federal Government, through the Presidential Task Force, will do whatever it takes to support you in this very difficult period.


I have no doubt that, by working together and carefully following the rules, we shall get over this pandemic.


I must also thank the Legislative arm of Government for all its support and donations in this very difficult period.

This collaboration is critical to the short and long-term success of all the measures that we have instituted in response to the pandemic.


As a result of this pandemic, the world as we know it has changed. The way we interact with each other, conduct our businesses and trade, travel, educate our children and earn our livelihoods will be different.


To ensure our economy adapts to this new reality, I am directing the Ministers of Industry, Trade and Investment, Communication and Digital Economy, Science and Technology, Transportation, Aviation, Interior, Health, Works and Housing, Labour and Employment and Education to jointly develop a comprehensive policy for a “Nigerian economy functioning with COVID-19”.


The Ministers will be supported by the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and the Economic Sustainability Committee in executing this mandate.


I am also directing the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, the National Security Adviser, the Vice Chairman, National Food Security Council and the Chairman, Presidential Fertiliser Initiative to work with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 to ensure the impact of this pandemic on our 2020 farming season is minimized.


Finally, I want to thank the members of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 for all their hard work so far. Indeed, the patriotism shown in your work is exemplary and highly commendable.


Fellow Nigerians, I have no doubt that by working together and carefully following the rules, we shall get over this pandemic and emerge stronger in the end.


I thank you all for listening and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

President Muhammadu Buhari

13th April 2020