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Tag: Coronavirus

  • Coronavirus: Panic as Pope appears in public ill, cancels planned retreat

    Coronavirus: Panic as Pope appears in public ill, cancels planned retreat

    There was panic at the Vatican City on Sunday after Pope Francis said he was cancelling a planned six-day spiritual retreat south of Rome after coming down with a “cold”.

    “Unfortunately, a cold forced me not to take part this year,” the 83-year-old pontiff said after coughing a couple of times during his weekly Sunday appearance from a Vatican window in front of supporters.

    The cancellation of the retreat, which was supposed to start Sunday, came as Italy battles Europe’s worst outbreak of the new coronavirus that has spread from China across much of the world.

    The number of cases in Italy surpassed 1,000 on Saturday.

    There have been 29 confirmed deaths and 105 people were receiving intensive care treatment in hospital — all of them in three adjacent northern regions near Milan.

    The Vatican quickly shot down speculation that the pope himself had come down with COVID-19.

    “There is no evidence to suggest a diagnosis of anything other than a slight ailment,” a Vatican spokesman told AFP Sunday.

    The pope himself looked relatively strong Sunday despite two coughing fits that forced him to briefly turn away from the crowd.

    Yet concerns about his health have been mounting for days.

    He first looked like he might have a cold on Wednesday and lightened his workload for the rest of the week.

    The Vatican said a “mild ailment” had forced him to spend Thursday around his Saint Martha’s guest house in the Vatican.

    But he still continued celebrating the morning mass and receiving visitors even as public events were cancelled and schools closed across swathes of Italy this week because of the coronavirus outbreak.

    He met with the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church head Sviatoslav Shevchuk and was meant to join the entire Roman Curia — the Holy See’s administrative institutions — at the retreat on Sunday.

    He was also due to celebrate a daily mass in a chapel and listen to the teachings of a Jesuit preacher while seated alongside members of the Curia.

    The Argentine-born pontiff lost part of a lung as a young man and suffers from sciatica — a nerve condition that causes pain in his hip.

    Yet he rarely cancels appointments and enjoys mingling with supporters and the faithful.

  • COVID-19: Abuja residents decry scarcity of face masks after Plateau Govt quarantined 4 Chinese

    COVID-19: Abuja residents decry scarcity of face masks after Plateau Govt quarantined 4 Chinese

    After Plateau Government quarantined four Chinese nationals in the State in line with measures to forestall the spread of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID -19), residents of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have complained about scarcity of face masks, an item needed to protect against the spread of the disease.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Plateau State Government quarantined four Chinese nationals, who miners working in Wase Local Government Area of the State, after they entered the country from China enroute Addis Ababa Airport to Abuja airport, where they were screened by health officials.

    “They are four nationals, one arrived on Feb. 25, while the three others arrived on Feb. 26. On questioning them, they said they came from China, enroute Addis Ababa Airport to Abuja airport , where they were screened by health officials,” the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Nimkong Ndam said in an interview.

    He said the uproar that their arrival had caused was just speculations which would be confirmed after their isolation for 14 days, as they had not shown any symptoms of the virus.

    He assured the public that health officials were on ground to ensure all measures were taken to curtail the spread of the virus which had killed more than 2000 lives in China, since it was first reported in December 2019.

    Meanwhile, across section of Abuja residents who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday, expressed concern over the unavailability of face masks in the markets.

    Mr Joseph Abiodun told NAN in Gwagwalada that he had checked for face masks to buy in supermarkets and pharmacies in the area but could not find any.

    Abiodun said with an index case of Convid-19 recorded in Lagos, it was expected that face masks and other protective materials be easily made available.

    Zainab Abubakar, another resident said she used her weekend searching for face masks to buy in order to get prepared for the week but couldn’t get any because it was not available in the markets.

    Abubakar noted that she was not willing to patronise hawkers that sell such products on the streets.

    Similarly, Mr Isaac Avoihi, a resident of Federal Housing in Lugbe complained of unavailability of face masks in his area.

    Avoihi said he was ready to buy the face masks at any price because of its importance owing to the outbreak of the disease in Nigeria.

    Mrs Modinat Balogun told NAN that the scarcity of the face masks in her area and other parts of Abuja was worrisome.

    Balogun said she went to the city centre to buy sanitisers and face masks for herself and her children but she could not get the face masks in any of the supermarkets visited.

    She appealed to the government to provide all personal protective materials for people free of charge, adding that doing so would help in containing the spread of the disease.

    Face masks were out of stocks in most supermarkets and pharmacies visited in Gwagwalada and Lugbe areas of FCT.

    While reacting to news about the suspected Coronavirus patients in Wase Local Government Area, Chairman of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Plateau chapter, Dr Titus Dajel called for more stringent measures at entry points of the state to control the spread of the virus in the state and the nation.

    Dajel said thorough checks by relevant authorities should be conducted on foreigners entering the country, especially from countries with the Coronavirus.

    “We urge the public to exercise caution and high level of hygiene and avoid crowdy areas and environment.

    Nigeria’s confirmed coronavirus case was first reported on Friday of an Italian working in a cement factory in Ogun State.

    The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said there are four laboratories in the country where suspected cases could be tested.

  • VIDEO: Why we are not wearing protective gears around COVID-19 patient – Hospital MD

    VIDEO: Why we are not wearing protective gears around COVID-19 patient – Hospital MD

    Dr. Bowale Abimbola, Managing Director of Mainland General Hospital, Yaba, where the confirmed Nigerian case of Coronavirus (Covid-19) is being isolated, monitored, and treated has provided a reason why officials are not putting on protective gears around the centre.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Dr. Abimbola gave the reason on Sunday during a tour of the Lagos State owned Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), where he said maintaining a distance of 2 meters away from the Covid-19 patient guarantees against the disease.

    Recall that a faint picture of the Italian man who brought Coronavirus to Nigeria was unveiled on Saturday, with Prof Akin Abayomi and Dr Abimbola seen very close to the door leading into the ward where the Covid-19 patient is being kept.

    In the photo, the Italian man could be seen faintly discussing with Abayomi from where he is isolated. Neither the Commissioner nor Dr. Abimbola was putting on a face mask or anything else from the clothes they were wearing. This sparked fears from some persons who felt officials who attend to the Covid-19 patient should be using some form of protective gears.

    Abimbola explained that the position where himself and the State Commissioner for Health spoke with the index patient at the former place where he was kept, was a safe distance.

    “As you can see me, I am not using any face mask because the distance between me and where the patient is, is more than 2 meters, so I cannot get infected.

    “It is only when I am going to move into the ward or when I am going to move closer to the patient less than 2 meters I am going to put on my full protective gears.

    “We know what we are doing, and there is no need for anybody to panic,” Dr. Abimbola said.

    Watch video below:

    Speaking on why the Covid-19 patient was brought from Ogun State to Lagos, Prof. Abayomi said it was because the patient started his journey to Ogun from Lagos.

    Watch video below:

  • France bans public gatherings of more than 5,000 people

    France bans public gatherings of more than 5,000 people

    France on Saturday banned public gatherings of more than 5,000 people following a surge in new coronavirus cases. Government reported 16 new cases yesterday alone.

    “All public gatherings of more than 5,000 people in a confined space are temporarily banned across France,” Health Minister Olivier Veran said as he emerged from a cabinet meeting.

    One of the immediate casualties of the ban is the Paris half-marathon, which would have hosted more than 40,000 runners yesterday.

    Public gatherings are being outlawed completely in the Oise region north of Paris that has seen a cluster of cases, and in a town in the Alps that has also seen infections, Mr. Veran said.

    Read Also: Visa requirements for France
    As of yesterday, France had registered a total of 73 cases, up from 57 on Friday. Of those, 59 people remain hospitalized, two have died and 12 have recovered, the minister said. It is unclear when the temporary ban will be lifted.

    In Italy, schools and universities are staying closed for a second consecutive week in three northern regions in an effort to contain Europe’s worst outbreak of the deadly bug.

    Five Serie A games were also postponed in bid to contain the virus’ spread.

    Pope Francis also cancelled official engagements for the third day in a row yesterday as he battled an apparent cold after showing his support for people with coronavirus while meeting well-wishers in Rome.

  • Coronavirus: Bishop Okonkwo speaks on God destroying the world with virus

    Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Dr. Mike Okonkwo has said “CoronaVirus will come and go and we will still be here because God didn’t tell us that he will destroy the world with the virus”.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Bishop Okonkwo stated this on Sunday while preaching on the message title: the first thing first, stressing that “there is an answer to every infirmity and disease that is plaguing the earth.

    “The Blood of Jesus was shed once and for all, for our eternal redemption! We are saved by His blood”.

    Similarly, the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye had on Saturday night prayed against any spread of the novel Coronavirus disease.

    Adeboye offered the prayers in a live broadcast on Saturday night while making an address that marked the end of the church’s 50-day fasting and prayers which had started on January 11, 2020.

    “There is no virus that is going to come near you at all because it is written that they that dwell under the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

    “I believe that this is a time to show that there is a difference between those who serve Him (God) wholeheartedly and those who do not. It shall be well with you and you will enjoy peace and you will have good health,” Pastor Adeboye said.

    Nigeria recorded its first confirmed index case of COVID-19 on Friday with an Italian traveller who arrived in Lagos on Monday night from Milan, Italy.

    The novel virus, which was first confirmed in Wuhan, China, is fast-spreading in over 25 countries across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Americas and Africa.

  • NCAA tightens Coronavirus preventive measures at airports

    Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is working with all stakeholders to harmonise preventive measures taken against the Coronavirus at the country’s airports.

    Capt. Musa Nuhu, the newly appointed Director General, NCAA, revealed this in a statement in Lagos on Sunday.

    Nuhu explained that this to contain the spread following the confirmed case of an Italian that came in through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Monday.

    The health ministry, the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Lagos State Ministry of Health and Ogun State Ministry of Health have responded to ensure no further spread of the disease.

    Nuhu explained that the preventive measures were to ensure all travelers coming into the country are adequately screened, while causing minimal disruption to them.

    He noted that all contingency plans for public health events in aviation had been activated including airport-specific Public Health Emergency Contingency Plans (PHECPs).

    Nuhu said NCAA had ensured that all measures adopted at Nigerian airports were in accordance to ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and WHO International Health Regulations (IHR 2005).

    “This measures is in line with the guidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Collaborative Arrangement for the Prevention and Management of Public Health Events in Civil Aviation (CAPSCA).

    “We have been working with the Federal Ministry of Health, and other stakeholders in the aviation industry to ensure all travelers coming into the country are adequately screened while causing minimum disruption to facilitation of travel.

    “NCAA will continue to ensure that airlines assist with the tracking of passengers who may have come in contact with suspect or ill persons as well as other measures the National Surveillance Systems requires.

    “Airlines and other airport users are advised to heed the guidance of Port Health Services (a division of the Federal Ministry of Health and Competent Public Health Authority at Point of Entry) on the use of screening forms.

    “Others are on the assessment of suspect or ill travelers and any other measures they may adopt,” he said.

    Nuhu advised airlines, airport operators, security agencies and other aviation industry stakeholders to take appropriate precaution to protect their staff.

    He also advised the travelling public to remain calm but alert and take necessary precaution in protecting themselves while traveling.

    The director general said this include alerting crew members and airport facilitation staff of travelers that might look ill or showing signs and symptoms of the disease.

    Nuhu said travelers returning from countries experiencing community transmission of the COVID-19 should present themselves to Port Health Services on arrival at the Point of Entry – International Airport.

    He said travelers who develop signs and symptoms of the disease after returning from a trip abroad were to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest Health facility or call the NCDC on 0800-970000-10.

  • Coronavirus: NCDC releases 4th advisory to Nigerians on COVID-19

    Coronavirus: NCDC releases 4th advisory to Nigerians on COVID-19

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has released the fourth public health advisory on the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) to Nigerians.

    Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, the Director-General of NCDC made the advisory available in Abuja.

    COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) is a new strain of the virus that has not been previously identified in humans.

    SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

    Ihekweazu said that this was an updated advisory on the COVID-19 disease, following confirmation of the first case in Nigeria on the Feb. 27, 2020.

    “This advisory will be updated frequently to reflect new information and research emerging on the disease and its impact on populations.

    “On the February 28, 2020, the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), announced the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Nigeria. The index case is an Italian businessman who arrived Nigeria from Milan, Italy, on the 25th of February, 2020.

    ” The case was confirmed at the Virology Laboratory of Lagos University Teaching Hospital on the 27th of February 2020. This laboratory is part of the network of laboratories supported by the NCDC.

    “Prior to laboratory confirmation, the patient had travelled to Ogun State for a business meeting. The index case is clinically stable, with mild symptoms, and is being managed at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, Lagos,” he explained.

    He said that the FMoH through NCDC had activated a national Emergency Operations Centre(EOC) at the highest level and was leading the national response.

    He added that a National Rapid Response Team had been deployed to support Lagos and Ogun State Governments with contact tracing and required response activities.

    “Currently, there are four laboratories in NCDC’s molecular laboratory network, with the capacity to test for COVID-19 in Nigeria. These laboratories are sufficiently equipped with reagents and supplies for testing.

    “NCDC is in contact with all states to increase the index of suspicion to ensure cases are detected early,” he said.

    The director-general said the FMoH had also intensified surveillance at points of entry in Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt and FCT, particularly for returning travelers with travel history to countries with ongoing transmission.

    “Presently, World Health Organisation (WHO) does not recommend any travel or trade restriction based on the current information available.

    “An intensive communications campaign has begun to provide regular updates and accurate information to Nigerians on protecting themselves,” he said.

    Ihekweazu said that Nigerians could reduced the risk of COVID-19 by adhering to the following measures:

    • Wash your hands frequently with soap under running water or use alcohol-based sanitizer if water is not available.

    • Cover your mouth and nose properly with a tissue paper when sneezing and/or coughing. Dispose of the tissue properly immediately after use. You may also cough into your elbow if a tissue is not available.

    • Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.

    • Healthcare workers are always advised to observe standard infection prevention and control measures when attending to patients and take a travel history.

    He said that travelers exiting and entering screening had been intensified across several countries, particularly countries with ongoing local transmission.

    “This includes temperature checks and provision of accurate information on preventive measures at airports.

    “In Nigeria, the Port Health Services of the FMoH has heightened screening measures at points of entry. In addition to automated temperature screening at points of entry, travelers are given a contact form to fill and asked questions upon arrival about symptoms of illness and travel history.

    “Travelers without symptoms on departure but become unwell in transit are advised to self-report to the Port Health Services on arrival.

    “Travelers from countries with ongoing local transmission, but who show no symptoms on arrival should self-isolate at home for 14 days after arrival.

    “If travelers from countries with ongoing local transmission feel ill with fever, cough or difficulty breathing within 14 days of arrival in Nigeria, please:

    “Observe self-isolation immediately by staying indoors and avoiding contact with people.

    “Call the NCDC 24/7 toll-free line IMMEDIATELY on 080097000010,” he said.

    He called on Nigerians to avoid self-medication, while stating that travelers to China and other affected countries, strongly advised them that all non-essential travel to countries with ongoing local transmission should be postponed, until the outbreak is contained.

    “Travelers from Nigeria to China and other affected countries are advised to avoid contact with sick people,” he emphasised.

    He also urged health workers to maintain a high index of suspicion for COVID-19.

    He, however advised Health officials to call 07032864444 for sample transportation and related advice if they have a case that fits the national case definition.

    For schools and busineses, he said that the current situation in the country does not warrant a shutdown of daily activities.

    If there was sustained community transmission in Nigeria, various additional measures may be instituted.

    “For now; schools are advised to circulate NCDC’s public health advisory and related materials on COVID-19 to all staff, students and parents.

    “Businesses are advised to circulate NCDC’s public health advisory and related materials on COVID-19 to all employees, clients and visitors.

    “Encourage sick employees and students to stay at home if they are unwell. Ensure routine cleaning of high contact areas such as toilets, door handles, telephones, etc.

    “Provide facilities and emphasise the importance of hand washing,” he advised.

    Ihekweazu listed countries with ongoing transmission as at Feb. 28, 2020, as China, Republic of Korea, Italy, Iran, and Japan.

    COVID-19 appears to cause mild to severe respiratory symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty breathing.

    From current evidence about 98 persons out of 100 persons with the disease will recover.

    In about 10 – 15 per cent of cases, it will cause a severe illness. It appears that death is not a common outcome and occurs mostly in elderly patients with underlying health issues.

    Currently, four laboratories in Nigeria can diagnose COVID-19.

    In addition to the NCDC National Reference Laboratory, this includes the Virology Laboratory of Lagos University Teaching Hospital; Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital and African Centre for Genomics of Infectious Diseases in Ede, Osun State.

    There is no specific treatment yet for COVID-19. However, many of the symptoms can be treated.

    Therefore, treatment is based on the patient’s clinical condition. Supportive care for infected persons can be highly effective.

  • Outrage as doctors embark on strike despite coronavirus outbreak

    Outrage as doctors embark on strike despite coronavirus outbreak

    Amidst panic over the detection of coronavirus in the country, resident doctors of the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital on Saturday embarked on a five-day warning strike to press home their demand for an enhanced pay package.

    Many residents of Enugu have criticized the timing of the strike at this time of national emergency.

    The leadership of the resident doctors declined to respond to questions on the coronavirus epidemic.

    But president of the Association of Resident Doctors, ARD ESUT-TH, Dr. Chima Edoga, who spoke on the strike appealed to patients to understand their plight which he said they have managed for over four years.

    Edoga stated that it is the wish of the doctors to make the hospital a center of excellence, but noted that it is only when manpower is retained that the hospital could achieve the desired dream.

    He said that the Resident Doctors deliberated extensively on their work conditions and patient care before arriving at the difficult decision

    According to them, there is a shortage of doctors in ESUT-TH as a result of continual mass exodus of doctors, despite genuine efforts made by the State Government and the Management of ESUT-TH to replace them.

    The ARD ESUT- TH noted that there has been over-burdening of doctors who chose to remain and care for the people, with some doctors having to take daily call duties for months, at the expense of their own health, personal and family lives.

    They said that as a result there is a drop in the quality of care given to the patients.

    The doctors said their reasons for embarking on the warning strike include “Perennial poor salary and emoluments vis-à-vis non-implementation of the Corrected Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) with consequential minimum wage adjustments for doctors working in ESUT-TH Parklane as is obtainable in all Federal Tertiary Health Institutions (FTHIs) and many State Tertiary Health Institutions (STHIs).

    “STHIs in neighbouring states like Anambra (COOUTH) and Imo (IMSUTH) have made giant strides in this regard. The recent increase in our salaries by the state government, though well appreciated, will not suffice.”

    Edoga said there was failure of all diplomatic channels and negotiations with the Enugu State Government to address the challenges and ensure continuous delivery of standard health care services to its citizenry.

    “Consequently, ARD ESUT-TH Parklane, in a unanimous decision, resolved to embark on a 5-day warning strike, starting on Saturday, February 29, 2020 at 8am to resume work on Thursday, March 5, 2020 by 8am, unless the State Government immediately implements the Corrected Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) with consequential minimum wage adjustments for doctors working in ESUT-TH Parklane as is obtainable in all Federal Tertiary Health Institutions (FTHIs) and many State Tertiary Health Institutions (STHIs) in Nigeria,” Edoga said.

    He disclosed that the Congress of ARD ESUT-TH Parklane will re-convene after the warning strike, give notice of and proceed on an indefinite industrial action if the Government does to meet their demand.

  • Coronavirus: Juventus quarantine entire Under-23 team

    Coronavirus: Juventus quarantine entire Under-23 team

    Juventus suspended the activities of their Under-23 team on Saturday and there were reports the players have been quarantined after a fourth player at third-tier club Pianese, their most recent opponents, tested positive for the coronavirus.

    The Turin club, whose under-23 team play in Serie C, said it was a precautionary measure and they were in constant contact with health authorities.

    “It is specified that, six days after the game, the Juventus players remain asymptomatic and are under medical supervision,” added the club statement.

    Gazetta Dello Sport said the players had been quarantined in their homes, though this was not mentioned by Juventus.

    Their under-23 side beat Pianese 1-0 last Sunday.

    Earlier, Pianese said that “after a series of checks, Pianese announce that a fourth player is infected by Covid-19.

    “He too is in solitary confinement at home and is under observation by the relevant authorities.”

    One member of staff has also been infected.

    The club, based in Piancastagnaio in the region of Tuscany, said on Friday that the entire squad have been quarantined in their homes.

    It said the first player tested positive on Thursday, several days after he missed a match because he was feeling slightly feverish.

    The number of deaths in Italy from the illness rose to 29 on Saturday and the accumulated total of cases reached 1,128, authorities said.

    Twenty of the 30 Serie C matches this weekend have been postponed because of the virus. Five Serie A games have also been called off.

  • Coronavirus: Lagos, Ogun identify 100 people who had contact with patient

    Lagos and Ogun state governments have identified at least 100 persons who had contact with the index case of the deadly Coronavirus disease in the country.

    Subsequently, the contacts are being followed up as a precautionary measure against the spread of the virus in the states and the country at large.

    Nigeria had been spared of the coronavirus outbreak, which was first recorded in Wuhan, China, until it was detected on Thursday on an Italian businessman aboard a Turkish Airlines flight arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos from Milan, Italy, having transited through Istanbul, Turkey.

    The victim arrived in Lagos on Monday night and was said to have spent the night in a hotel around the airport area before leaving for business in Ogun State on Tuesday morning.

    He was said to have fallen ill, after which he tested positive for the virus. He was thereafter taken to the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, Lagos.

    However, authorities said the patient was clinically stable.

    Speaking on Saturday, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, said the patient was clinically stable and had no signs of respiratory symptoms which could make his infection contagious.

    Abayomi also said over 100 contacts with the Coronavirus index case had been identified and followed up.