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Tag: Coronavirus

  • Coronavirus: India suspends issuing visas to Italians, Iranians

    Coronavirus: India suspends issuing visas to Italians, Iranians

    India on Tuesday suspended with immediate effect all regular visas or e-visas granted to the nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea, and Japan issued on or before March 3 to curb COVID-19, said a revised travel advisory.

    These visas also included visas-on-arrival for Japan and South Korea, according to the travel advisory.

    “Those requiring to travel to India under compelling circumstances may apply for fresh visas to the nearest Indian Embassy or Consulate,” it added.

    Diplomats, officials of the UN and other international bodies, Overseas Citizenship of India cardholders and aircrew from the above countries were, however, exempted from such restriction on entry, adding that medical screening is compulsory for them.

    Three more cases were detected in India on Monday, including places in Delhi, the southern state of Telangana and the western state of Rajasthan.

    Besides, six people who were said to have been in contact with the Delhi case have been kept under watch and their samples were sent for testing.

    Earlier, three patients suffering from COVID-19 were successfully cured in February.

    According to the advisory, all foreign nationals who have traveled to China, Iran, Italy, South Korea, and Japan on or after Feb. 1 have been prohibited from entering India.

    “Passengers of all international flights entering into India from any port are required to furnish duly filled self-declaration form and travel history to health officials and immigration officials.

    “Passengers (foreign and Indian) other than those restricted, arriving directly or indirectly from a number of countries and regions must undergo medical screening at the port of entry.

    “These include China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy, China’s Hong Kong, China’s Macau, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore, and China’s Taiwan,” it stated.

  • Coronavirus, a reality in Africa, no longer a threat – WHO

    Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, says as African countries confirm cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19), the virus ceases to be a threat and becomes a reality on the continent.

    Moeti, in a statement posted on the organisation’s website, said Senegal reported its first case of COVID-19 on Monday, becoming the fourth African country to confirm the virus.

    She said “we are working with countries in the region to ensure that measures are taken to contain further spread of the virus.

    “So far, Algeria, Egypt and Nigeria have reported cases. The case in Senegal was confirmed a day after Algeria reported two new cases on March 1.”

    According to her, the Senegal patient is a French national and a resident of Senegal who returned to Dakar on Feb. 25.

    The case was confirmed by the National Reference Laboratory of the Pasteur Institute of Senegal.

    The Ministry of Health has notified WHO, and a team of experts from WHO’s Emergency Hub in Dakar are supporting the Senegalese health authorities.

    The patient had stayed in the southern French town of Nimes, as well as in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. He has been isolated at a hospital in Dakar.

    In addition, she said, WHO is supporting countries in their efforts to increase their preparedness, especially in ensuring early detection of vital signs and that control measures are in place and are as robust as possible.

    “WHO is working with our network of researchers and other experts to coordinate regional work on surveillance, epidemiology, modelling, diagnostics, clinical care and treatment, as well as other ways to identify, manage the disease and limit onward transmission.

    “WHO has issued interim guidance to countries, which is regularly updated, taking into account ongoing developments.

    “Guidance has recently been issued on topics, including quarantine measures, citizen repatriations, and how to ensure that workplaces are prepared for COVID-19,’’ the director said.

  • Pope tests negative for Coronavirus after canceling events due to illness

    Pope Francis, who canceled a Lent retreat for the first time in his papacy because he is suffering from a cold, has tested negative for coronavirus, the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero reported on Tuesday.

    Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said he had no immediate comment on the report. The 83-year-old Roman Catholic leader, who had part of one lung removed because of an illness decades ago, also canceled most audiences last week.

    Francis was to have taken part in the week-long retreat with senior Vatican officials that began on Sunday night at a Church residence south of Rome.

    But in a surprise announcement hours earlier, he said he would be following it from his residence in a Vatican guest house.

    He has been taken ill at a time when Italy is battling a surging outbreak of the potentially deadly coronavirus.

    The death toll in Italy jumped to 52 on Monday from 34 the day before and the total number of confirmed cases in Europe’s worst affected country climbed past the 2,000 mark.

  • Two more African countries confirm first Coronavirus cases

    Two more African countries confirm first Coronavirus cases

    Two African countries, Senegal and Tunisia have confirmed cases of the deadly Coronavirus.

    Senegal’s Health Minister, Abdoulaye Diouf Sarr, said on Monday that the country has confirmed its first case of coronavirus.

    The patient is a French man who lives in Senegal and flew back from France on 26 February, Mr Sarr told a press conference in the capital, Dakar.

    The patient reported to a private hospital on 27 February with symptoms, including a headache.

    The authorities are monitoring everyone who travelled on the same flight as well as the patient’s family.

    The minister said the country was prepared to deal with the virus, pointing out that Senegal had the facilities to test for the coronavirus.

    This is the second case in sub-Saharan Africa after one was confirmed in Nigeria last week, BBC reports.

    Also, Tunisia confirmed its first case of the new coronavirus, the country’s health minister told journalists on Monday.

    Abdelatif el-Maki said the patient was a 40-year-old Tunisian man, who arrived in the country by boat from Italy on 27 February.

    He and the other passengers had been advised to monitor themselves. When his fever spiked, he contacted emergency services.

    In Africa, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Senrgal and Nigeria have all confirmed cases of the virus.

  • Coronavirus cases in Africa rises to six

    Coronavirus cases in Africa rises to six

    Senegal, Morocco and Tunisia have confirmed cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of people with the virus on the continent to six.

    Prior to the latest development, Nigeria, Algeria and Egypt were the only African countries with confirmed cases of the virus, which has killed over 3000 persons across the world.

    At a press conference in Dakar, capital of Senegal, on Monday, the country’s health minister said a French national who arrived in Senegal last week has tested positive to the virus.

    He had been under observation at an institute in Dakar.

    In Tunisia, a 40-year-old citizen, who arrived the country by boat from Italy, tested positive to the virus. While the Morocco state media announced the first case of the virus in the county.

    At least 33 countries in Africa can now conduct coronavirus test, according to Matshidiso Moeti, regional director for Africa at the World Health Organisation.

    The virus, which broke out in Wuhan, China, in December, has affected over 80,000 persons.

    Saudi Arabia recorded its first case on Monday. The kingdom had earlier cancelled the annual lesser hajj pilgrimage to prevent an outbreak of the virus.

  • My team has developed treatment for coronavirus, says Maurice Iwu

    Maurice Iwu, a former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says his team has developed a potential treatment for coronavirus disease.

    Although the virus first broke out in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, Iwu, the chief executive officer of Bioresources Institute of Nigeria (BION), a research organisation, said his team had worked on solutions to the virus since 2015.

    He said this when he led members of his team to Osagie Ehanire, minister of health, and Ogbonnaya Onu, his science and technology counterpart, in Abuja on Monday.

    Iwu commended the federal government for the efforts to find a cure to the deadly virus.

    “Honourable Minister, Sir, I am here to formally brief you about our drug discovery project, which has led to the identification of a potential treatment agent for Coronavirus infections,” he said.

    “Your Excellency will recall that when the Ebola virus infection broke out in 2014 many people were surprised that our research group had an experimental lead compound that was identified 15 years earlier in 1999.

    “And now with the emergence of a novel Coronavirus in 2019 as Covid-19 we had identified and patented a possible treatment back in 2015. It is very important that we must remain ahead of these emergent infections through research.

    “We have under consideration possible dosage forms including a combination product formulation of the three agents (Rhygyfyn) described in our patents as broad spectrum antiviral drug, identified and developed here in Nigeria.

    “We are set to introduce the products but our only limitation is finance. As you well know, science is a very expensive undertaking. I will like to plead with you to use your good office to kindly appeal to Nigerians for their support.”

    In 2014, he had said bitter kola could serve as a cure to Ebola virus, a claim which was largely debunked by the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).

    Iwu has been associated with several controversies. The 2007 elections he conducted was so controversial that the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, one of the beneficiaries admitted that the exercise was flawed.

    In October, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the former INEC boss over allegation of N1.2 billion fraud.

    He was accused of aiding the concealment of N1.23bn in the account of Bioresources Institute of Nigeria Limited between December 2014 and March 27, 2015.

  • Coronavirus deaths jump to six in US

    Coronavirus deaths jump to six in US

    Four new patients have died from COVID-19, in the Seattle area of Washington State in the United States, bringing the total deaths to six.

    Public health officials near Seattle reported the nation’s first two deaths in a nearby suburb and several new cases over the weekend.

    Local officials also said that about 50 residents and employees of a nursing care facility were being tested for the new coronavirus after several people there tested positive.

    “Unfortunately, we are starting to find more COVID-19 cases here in Washington that appear to be acquired locally here in Washington,” Washington state health officer Dr. Kathy Lofy told reporters at a press conference.

    “We now know that the virus is actively spreading in some communities.”

    Washington state currently has 18 cases, 14 of which are in King County where the nursing facility is located and four in Snohomish County, she said.

  • Coronavirus: FG promises support as ex-INEC chair, Maurice Iwu intensifies efforts to find cure

    Maurice Iwu, former chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission and professor of pharmacognosy got the assurances of two Nigerian ministers on Monday to support his team on their drug project for Wuhan coronavirus.

    Based on evaluation, his research effort may be boosted with a N36m grant from the Ministry of Science and Technology.

    Iwu told the ministers that the purpose of his visit was to formally brief him on his team’s efforts toward finding a treatment for the Wuhan Coronavirus.

    He disclosed that the lead drug discovery project included the chemical isolation and characterisation of naturally occurring compounds and subjecting them to a bioassays for the identification of potentially useful-drug-led molecules.

    He said the approach was the use of a network of eminent scientists and leading laboratories to target particular disease, especially neglected tropical, emergent and orphan diseases.

    He also said those included leishmaniasis, Ebola virus, Dengue fever virus, chikungunya virus, corona virus and tacaribe virus among others.

    He said he came to ask for assistance from Nigerians on the project.

    Both Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Science and Technology and Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora, Minister of State for health pledged support.

    Onu said his Ministry would give all the support it could to Prof. Maurice Iwu and his team, working under his Bioresources Development Group, of which he is the chairman.

    The minister said that some time ago, the ministry had given a charge to Nigerian scientists knowing they were capable to provide solutions to COVID-19.

    Onu said he had tasked them on finding solutions to problems, whether regional or international, and that such problems should not always be left for other people from foreign nations to solve.

    “That is why we said that within the resources available to the ministry we are ready to make available N36 million to any scientist who can help us.”

    The minister further said that the money was to support any genuine Nigerian scientist with possible treatment for either Lassa fever or COVID-19.

    Onu also said that the ministry was very happy that Prof. Iwu had come to it with the “compound he isolated about five years ago”.

    He further said that he was happy that Iwu had already entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the U.S. on this project as regards his patents.

    Onu called on the Nigeria Academy of Science to come and assist in the project.

    He noted that there was a committee set up with the best mind in this area and he believed the committee was ready to start work.

    He expressed happiness and optimism that the “compound’’ would be readily available to it for certification.

    He said after being advised by the committee the ministry would be ready to give all the support.

    According to the minister, Nigeria has the largest concentration of black people in the world, the largest economy in Africa, the largest population in Africa and the largest market.

    “ But we believe we have one of the most intelligent people in the world, hence we should also be able to make contributions,’’ he said.

    Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora, Minister of State for Health, who was present during the visit, thanked Prof. Iwu and his team for coming up with the identification of the potential treatment agent for coronavirus.

    “We must start from somewhere and it is important for us to appreciate that if Nigeria must grow, if Nigeria must develop, it is Nigerians that will develop Nigeria,’’ he said.

    He said that the Federal Ministry of Health would partner and collaborate with Iwu on the project.

  • FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN: Nigeria unable to trace 158 passengers aboard plane with Coronavirus infested Italian

    FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN: Nigeria unable to trace 158 passengers aboard plane with Coronavirus infested Italian

    The Lagos State Government said it was yet to trace the 158 passengers aboard the Turkish airliner that flew in the Italian who is Nigeria’s index case of the virus.

    It restated that while some of the passengers had travelled to other states in Nigeria, others had gone back to Europe.

    Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu stated this during a meeting with chairmen of Local Government Councils, Local Council Development Areas, Community Development Associations and All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwarts on how to effectively prevent the spread of the virus.

    He added that some of the passengers who were contacted on the telephone, gave “false information.”

    “There were 25 people who came in contact with him at the factory(in Ogun State); there were two drivers and an ambulance driver. We have quarantined those identified so far at our medical facilities and some of them at home.

    “We are calling them twice a day to check if they are okay. If they develop symptoms, we will bring them to our bio-security facility for test.

    “We have identified all of these people except some of the people, on the aircraft who have either gone back to Europe or travelled to other states.

    “Some of them gave us false information on the telephone. We are still trying to find the remaining passengers on that aircraft every day. Our contact list is over 100 persons and this number is increasing every day.”

    Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said two more foreign nationals suspected to have been infected in Asia tested negative.

    He explained that 34 Nigerians the Italian had contact with in Lagos and Ogun States had been reached with some quarantined and others in close observation.

    The governor said:”There were 159 passengers in the aircraft and six people that came in contact with him at the airport.

    The governor said a series of medical examinations at the State’s bio-security facility conducted on the two foreign patients that were brought from Ogun State over the weekend, did not show any sign of COVID-19 infection.

    Sanwo-Olu told the gathering that the Italian was improving.

    He said: “We have called for this meeting as part of proactive measures we are taking to prevent the spread of Coronavirus to our local communities. It is no more news that we are managing a case in Lagos, but the situation does not call for panic.

    “We don’t want to record any loss of life to this virus. My administration places premium value on human life, which is the reason we have upgraded facilities at our bio-security centre and Infectious Disease Hospital.

    “But, we believe we will achieve better results in this effort if people at the grassroots are properly sensitised on how to protect their communities from the virus and other contagious diseases.

    “Government is doing its best to stop coronavirus, but Government cannot do it alone. It requires collective responsible of everybody living in Lagos to stop the virus

    He said the government would maintain open line of communication with the public on the progress being made in containing the virus.

  • Aso Rock braces for Coronavirus

    Aso Rock braces for Coronavirus

    Following President Muhammadu Buhari’s call on Nigerians not to panic after Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was confirmed in the country, Aso Rock seems to be bracing up seriously against the disease.

    Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity on Monday shared a photo with Muhammad Elder Mashi, team leader from center for disease control in the State House, getting the Villa ready in case of Coronavirus.

    Earlier, President Buhari had noted with sadness, the recent confirmation of a case of Covid-19 infection in Lagos, Nigeria, “despite the ardent efforts of the government regarding preparedness and response measures put in place in our country’s borders and beyond”.

    He, however, commended the Federal Ministry of Health and other relevant agencies whose diligence and efficiency enabled the case to be detected, diagnosed and isolated quickly, even while swift measures were taken to identify and follow up on those with whom the index patient came into contact.

    The President commended the responses of the Federal Ministry of Health and Governments of Lagos and Ogun States as well as other relevant agencies to the reported incident and calls for vigilance on the part of all citizens and responsible government agencies.

    President Buhari urged Nigerians not to panic about the news of this first case of Covid-19 in our country, as undue alarm would do us more harm than good.

    “Instead, Nigerians should strictly observe the advisories disseminated by the Ministry of Health, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and the World Health Organisation (WHO), on the best way to prevent infection,” the President had said.