TheNewsGuru

Tag: Coronavirus

  • Fleeing second COVID-19 case in Kebbi dies

    The second case of coronavirus in Kebbi State, who absconded from the hospital, is dead.

    Commissioner for Health​, Jaafaru Mohammed, who also is the chairman State Task Force on covid-19, stated this on Saturday while giving situation updates on the emergency.

    He said: “The second case was a patient from the Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi. He was a 60 year old man, a known diabetic and hypertensive patient.

    ” He was brought to the centre from the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital ( UDUTH), Sokoto by his relative

    ” After reviewing the case by a Consultant, COVID-19 was suspected and our Rapid Response Team swung into action.”

    Mohammed said his samples were taken on April 25 but the patient absconded before he was taken to the isolation centre.

    The commisioner lamented​ the patient died at home on April 26.

    Mohammed explained: “The corpse was taken to UDUTH mortuary as against the earlier information given by his family members that, it was taken to Benue State for burial.

    ” On the 29th of April, 2020,the result turned out to be positive and the contact tracing commenced.”

    The Commissioner disclosed the team had traced twelve close contacts and seventeen others.

    ” Their samples have been taken to the reference laboratory in UDUTH,Sokoto while the Sokoto State Epidomologist and the Management of UDUTH had​ been informed,” he added.

  • COVID-19: Kaduna records first death, confirms three new cases

    The Kaduna State Government says it has recorded its first casualty to the coronavirus pandemic and additional three active cases.

    The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina Mahammed Bolani, confirmed this on Saturday in Kaduna.

    She said that the first fatality was among additional three COVID-19 cases confirmed in the state.

    According to the commissioner, the state now has 28 confirmed cases and awaits results of 350 samples it sent for tests.
    She said that the samples were especially from ‘almajiris’.

    “Testing of 167 almajiris who returned from Kano has now been completed, and the number of positive cases from this group may rise.

    “Cases in the state rose to 28 on Thursday.

    ” The three patients that increased the number from 25 include two males and the first female COVID-19 case in the state,” the official said.

    She said that the female patient was a health worker not involved in the treatment of COVID-19 cases.

    “One of the two males was a retired civil servant with underlying medical conditions, who concealed his recent travel to Kano when he visited a public hospital and a private hospital.

    “He was eventually admitted at the isolation centre with respiratory distress.

    ” He died before his positive test result was released. He is the first COVID-19 fatality in Kaduna State,” she said.

    The official said that the family of the deceased had been informed of his demise, and he had been buried according to the burial protocol of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

    “Following this development, state health officials are decontaminating the two hospitals that the deceased visited.

    “Staff who attended to him have been isolated, as well as his family members.”

    “The ministry, therefore, appeal to citizens who suspect that they have been exposed to COVID-19 to avoid infecting others.

    “They should rather follow the safe protocol of isolating themselves at home while contacting health officials.

    “Concealing relevant information and engaging in conduct that exposes others to the risk of infection constitute a danger to the community and will be regarded as wilful and reckless endangerment of the well-being and lives of other citizens.

    “Such conduct contravenes the provisions of the Quarantine Orders and could lead to prosecution,” the commissioner said.
    She also advised the state residents to maintain hand washing, personal hygiene, social distancing, and avoid large gatherings to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

    She also urged the residents to wear face masks when leaving their homes, and wash their hands when on return.
    “Keeping safe from this pandemic is a responsibility of every citizen.

    “All of us must take steps to protect ourselves and our households from COVID-19.”

  • Proposed Quarantine Bill: We’ĺl expunge all ‘satanic’ parts-Rep Nkem-Abonta vows

    Proposed Quarantine Bill: We’ĺl expunge all ‘satanic’ parts-Rep Nkem-Abonta vows

    A member of the House of Representatives, Rep Uzoma Nkem-Abonta on Saturday said the proposed Quarantine Bill that has heated up the Nigerian body polity would be expunged of all its satanic contents.

    Nkem-Abonta Abonta revealed this in an exclusive chat with Thenewsguru.com, (TNG ) stressing that the concentious bill can’t scale through until all ugly parts are removed.

    Recall that the House had last Tuesday passed the Bill Into second reading during an emergency session drawing the flaks of Nigerians because of the absolute powers given to the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC.

    The Abia born lawmaker said the Bill if passed will give the disease control body absolute powers to arrest anybody based on mere suspicion.

    “What this means that if the centre suspects you have an infectious disease it can seal your apartment for two weeks without recourse to law.

    “You have to go to the Minister of Health to seek redress after you must have been locked down by the body for two weeks.

    “What we are saying is that absolute power corrupts absolutely, with such powers no one is safe and it can be used as a political tool.

    “You can be detained by NCDC for that period and you can’t be bailed as you can’t go to court which is the final arbiter of justice.

    “By Tuesday when we resume we shall bare the bill and make it a progressive one now that we have copies to peruse and do justice to it.

  • NAFDAC clears air on discovery, approval of COVID-19 drugs, vaccines in Nigeria

    NAFDAC clears air on discovery, approval of COVID-19 drugs, vaccines in Nigeria

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it has not approved any drug or vaccine for the treatment of COVID-19.

    The Director General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said in a statement on Saturday that NAFDAC had not granted approval for any vaccine for the treatment and cure of COVID-19.

    “To put the record straight, no drugs or vaccines have been given approval in the country for cure of COVID-19.

    “While the medical researchers globally, the Federal Government of Nigeria and the World Health Organisation (WHO), are working tirelessly on the discovery of vaccines and drugs to cure COVID-19, the agency urges the public to desist from making unsubstantial claims.

    “NAFDAC is the only authority in the country to grant approval to such drugs and vaccines,” Adeyeye said.

    She said that NAFDAC would continue to work with all relevant stakeholders to safeguard the health of Nigerians and that in the event of any approved drug or vaccine for the cure of COVID-19, the agency would not hesitate to inform the public.

    Adeyeye, however, advised Nigerians to comply strictly with measures issued by NCDC to prevent the spread of COVID-19, adding that these include the use of face covering masks, social distancing, washing of hands and use of alcohol based sanitisers.

  • Pros and cons of “EKO TELEMED”, By Queen Nwabueze

    Pros and cons of “EKO TELEMED”, By Queen Nwabueze

    By Queen Nwabueze

    You’ve heard the latest healthcare innovation in Lagos State, called EKO TELEMED. I’m I right? Okay. Let’s say EKO TELEMED has become the new buzz word in and around the state. The reason is simple. The initiative promises a not-so-popular but effective way you can use to get quick medical help if you are sick right now.

    Again, let’s say, EKO TELEMED is the privilege you now enjoy just because you live in Eko. (Smiles).

    Notice the word, TELEMED? That’s an acronym for “telemedicine.” That is, seeking and getting medical care using the telecoms means you and I already have. Henceforth, this means that healthcare is only a call away.

    Do you know much about telemedicine before now? Have you used any telemedicine provider in Nigeria? Oh yes! There are many telemedicine providers in Lagos. Top ones like Health Connect24x7 have been around for a while now and very efficient too. Little wonder the Lagos State government partnered the telehealth company in the EKO TELEMED ingenuity.

    Interestingly, accessing telemedicine is not difficult as many persons believe. It’s not. In fact, the innovation is a great one if you consider the advantages in Nigeria where health care is not readily available for everybody.

    In this post, I shall pose for you the pros and cons of EKO TELEMED if only to help you know who exactly is qualified to use it. Are you ok with that? Alright. Here:

    The pros:

    . No need to leave your home anymore: All your medical questions can be answered right there you are right now. You don’t have to raise a foot
    . Self-medication is over: With EKO TELEMED, you’d never indulge in self-prescription which can be very dangerous to your health. Before you proceed to get your medication, quickly call a doctor to tell you which drugs to buy
    No airtime or data required: Have you seen a thing like this before? You don’t need to have airtime or data on your phone before you could call. The line is toll free: 08000EKOMED = 08000356633
    . Overheads are eliminated: Before now, you bothered about transport fare, Lagos traffic, buying of hospital card, queuing up to see the doctor, consultancy fee…all sorts of logistics before you could get medical attention. Not anymore.

    The cons:

    . EKO TELEMED is not for people who don’t live in Lagos: I am sorry but if you live outside Lagos State, you can’t enjoy this government medical freebie
    . Not for COVID-19 treatment: If you are showing symptoms of the coronavirus, please don’t use this service. You can call the corona hotline for free too.

    Trust me, I didn’t exhaust all the advantages of EKO TELEMED here. But I want to believe this helps you understand deeply that the initiative meant good.

    There is absolutely no problem if you don’t need it. But please SHARE with any Lagosian you know. You might save a soul.

    Call the hotline now: 08000356633.

  • COVID-19: Relaxing lockdown at communal infection stage dangerous, NMA warns Buhari, Govs

    COVID-19: Relaxing lockdown at communal infection stage dangerous, NMA warns Buhari, Govs

    The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) on Friday spoke against the decision of the Federal Government to relax the stay-at-home order.

    The umbrella body of Nigerian doctors described the move as premature and can potentially expose more Nigerians to the coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.

    The association warns that the country could experience a bounce in the number of coronavirus cases as health workers are grappling with numerous challenges like lack for bed spaces in epicenters of the pandemic, especially Lagos, unraveled cause(s) of deaths in Kano State and delay in the distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) to public and private hospitals, among others.

    Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had declared a two-week lockdown of Lagos and Ogun states as well as the Federal Capital Teritory (FCT) Abuja during his first address on the pandemic on March 29, 2020, to enable the country tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

    On April 12, the President addressed the nation again on the same issue, announcing an extension of the lockdown by two weeks.

    However, on April 27, 2020, President Muhammadu Buhari approved a ‘phased and gradual easing’ of lockdown measures in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun when he extended the lockdown by one week.

    The relaxation of lockdown is billed to take effect from Monday, May 4, 2020.

    At the time of filing this report, there were 2,170 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country with 238 new cases recorded nationwide yesterday.

    The number of discharged patients was 319 while the number of deaths stood at 58.

    The President of the NMA, Dr. Francis Faduyile, in a statement in Abuja, said: “As the incidence of the COVID-19 hits the 2000th mark by this weekend, just seven days after hitting the 1000th mark, it figuratively tilts the epidemiological curve towards an upward spike.

    “More so, the revelation by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) that the nation lacks bed spaces in Lagos worsens this frightening scenario.

    “The confusing situation in Kano is neither unraveled nor resolved. At the same time, some states continue to live in the delusion of zero COVID-19 incidences.

    “The easing of the lockdown even in phases is very premature. Nigeria should learn from her neighbour Ghana where the same action produced 100 per cent increase in infection rate in just a week.

    “Instead, the association believes that agencies of state should intensify efforts through mass enlightenment campaigns beyond current attempts to explain the dangers inherent in easing the lockdown prematurely in the face of rising infection rates; and also for the palliatives to reach the needy.”

    The NMA condemned the pronouncement of the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Muhammed, mandating the use of chloroquine and Zithromax to treat coronavirus patients in the state.

    It describes such approach as improper and unethical.

    “The Association bemoans the rather meddlesome pronouncements by some state actors on the management protocols for COVID-19 in the country.

    “In particular, we view the directive by the Bauchi State Governor for the use of a specific drug in the treatment of positive cases as improper and unethical.

    “Medical doctors have the prerogative to use whatever treatment regimen they consider best based on evidence and presentation of the patients.

    “We, therefore, implore our leaders to desist from distracting our time tested doctors and health workers.

    “Instead, they should encourage them through the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE), incentives and communication tools to interact with peers within the country and overseas as it is customary in the world of medical science to arrive at the best possible interventions for their patients,” he said.

    He added: “With 113 healthcare workers in Nigeria reportedly infected with COVID-19 in the course of discharging their duties, NMA reminds all doctors and healthcare workers not to let down their guards in adhering strictly to infection prevention and control protocols.

    “The Association re-emphasises that all healthcare workers should wear the proper PPE before attending to any patient as every patient is a potential COVID-19 patient.

    “Furthermore, the Association notes with dismay the delay in distributing the available PPE to all public and private hospitals to prevent, detect and treat more patients as it ought to, and pray that the burgeoning bureaucracy is not a clog in the wheels of progress in this regard.

    “We wish that the ‘Panel of Experts’ recently inaugurated by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) is empowered to immediately commence their work of thinking, analysing, synthesising, collating and disseminating the most relevant medical information that informs the best management of our COVID-19 patients.

    “Science and knowledge must inform policies and politics. We appreciate the FMOH for finally listening to the plea we made several weeks ago.

    “We wish the nation and our people the safety and protection from COVID-19 while praying the authorities to continue to carry out all necessary and more invigorated knowledge-based interventions towards a zero COVID-19 Nigeria.”

  • US approves emergency use of Remdesivir to treat hospitalized COVID-19 patients

    US approves emergency use of Remdesivir to treat hospitalized COVID-19 patients

    US regulators have allowed the emergency use of the experimental drug remdesivir, which appears to help some coronavirus patients recover faster.

    It is the first drug shown to help fight Covid-19, which has killed more than 230,000 people worldwide.

    President Donald Trump announced the news on Friday at the White House alongside Stephen Hahn, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner, who said the drug would be available for patients hospitalized with Covid-19.

    The emergency approval comes days after Dr Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert, expressed cautious optimism about the results of a remdesivir drug trial.

    “The data shows that remdesivir has a clear-cut, significant, positive effect in diminishing the time to recovery,” Fauci said earlier this week. “What it has proven is that a drug can block this virus.”

    The FDA acted after preliminary results from a government-sponsored study showed that Gilead Sciences’s remdesivir shortened the time to recovery by 31%, or about four days on average, for hospitalized Covid-19 patients.

    The study of 1,063 patients is the largest and most strict test of the drug and included a comparison group that received just usual care so remdesivir’s effects could be rigorously evaluated.

    Those given the drug were able to leave the hospital in 11 days on average versus 15 days for the comparison group. The drug also might be reducing deaths, although that’s not certain from the partial results revealed so far.

    Fauci said the drug would become a new standard of care for severely ill Covid-19 patients like those in this study. The drug has not been tested on people with milder illness, and currently is given through an IV in a hospital.

    The FDA authorized the drug under its emergency powers to quickly speed experimental drugs, tests and other medical products to patients during public health crises.

    In normal times the FDA requires “substantial evidence” of a drug’s safety and effectiveness, usually through one or more large, rigorously controlled patient studies. But during public health emergencies the agency can waive those standards, simply requiring that an experimental drug’s potential benefits outweigh its risks.

    No drugs are approved now for treating the coronavirus, and remdesivir will still need formal approval. The FDA can convert the drug’s status to full approval if Gilead or other researchers provide additional data of remdesivir’s safety and effectiveness.

    Use of the drug will be authorized for adults or children who are hospitalized with suspected or confirmed Covid-19 and whose condition is “severe”, meaning they have low blood oxygen levels, need oxygen therapy or are on a mechanical ventilator, the FDA said.

    “Based on evaluation of the emergency use authorization criteria and the scientific evidence available, it was determined that it is reasonable to believe that remdesivir may be effective in treating Covid-19, and that, given there are no adequate, approved or available alternative treatments, the known and potential benefits to treat this serious or life-threatening virus currently outweigh the known and potential risks of the drug’s use,” the FDA said in its statement.

    The emergency use authorization (EUA) also includes information about possible side effects, which include “increased levels of liver enzymes, which may be a sign of inflammation or damage to cells in the liver; and infusion-related reactions, which may include low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, sweating and shivering”. It also notes that there may be other serious side effects that have not been discovered yet.

    Patients who receive the drug will be provided with a fact sheet. The drug is administered through an IV once a day for up to 10 days.

    Hahn said the drug’s approval for emergency use represented “an important clinical advance” in the fight against coronavirus.

    Daniel O’Day, the Gilead CEO, said Friday that his company has already ramped up production of the drug and hopes to make millions of treatment courses available by the end of the year.

    “I think it’s important to note that this is a medicine for the most severe patients,” O’Day told the Today show. “What we see here is really, of course, not a cure but a very, very significant and important treatment for patients.”

  • Corona watch 19: I haven’t seen Lagos this clean – Chisom Ejim

    Corona watch 19: I haven’t seen Lagos this clean – Chisom Ejim

    Covid-19 pandemic has had and continues to have its toll on many of us. Not that we contracted the disease but in the prevention bid, our lifestyles have been disrupted, both publicly and privately.

    One area of our lives affected is movement. How funny that though movement is the first characteristic of living things, yet it is the first taken away from us as the main measure to contain the disease.

    Office and business operations are halted. We now work remotely and have meetings using the now popular Zoom application. The paycheck has been reduced by various percentages while those employees whose services no longer fit in are laid off or told to sit at home with no salary until the lockdown is over. Businesses that are not offering essential services remain closed while the food market is open, but consumers’ purchasing power and choices are drastically reduced.

    Though we are bored and tired of staying indoors but on careful scrutiny, the lockdown has some positive angles to it. The first is that I personally have more time to spend with my family. And those who have kids are able to really know who and what they are. Another is that I am now more health-conscious and the first thing that I and any visitor stepping into my house do is to wash our hands.

    Also, I noticed that Lagos state is cleaner now than ever. The roads, the market, the drainage, etc, all are very clean. This is to show us again that humans are the chief littering agents. Even the air is clear, free from dust, noise, harmful carbon gases, and resultantly, our depleted ozone layer will either begin to replete or deplete no further.

    Philosophically, many have come to see that life, health and family are more important than money and possessions. One might have cars, shoes, and clothes but can’t wear or use them at least not in a lockdown or curfew. The amount of money you can even spend is limited. Almost like a foretaste of death.

    Finally, worship and devotion have also been impacted positively. Though church buildings are closed, house fellowships, cell groups, and online fellowships are still thriving. Personally, I now have time for my devotion with God, which I am thankful for.

    However though it seems the advantages outnumber the disadvantages but the truth is if the lockdown lingers, the nation would enter an economically induced coma where nothing would be working and we would need heavy foreign financial aid to get us out. From countries that are themselves struggling to keep afloat! We need to return to a busy economy.

  • JUST IN: Dokpesi Snr, seven other family members test positive for coronavirus

    JUST IN: Dokpesi Snr, seven other family members test positive for coronavirus

    Chief Raymond Dokpesi, founder of Daar Communications Plc, owners of Raypower FM and Africa International Television (AIT), his wife and three children have tested positive for the deadly Coronavirus.

    Four of his relations have also tested positive for the virus.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that one of his sons, Dokpesi Jnr, had been confirmed positive for the virus and admitted to Isolation Centre.

    A statement issued by Daar Communications Plc on Friday, said its Chairman, Chief Raymond Dokpesi Jnr had on Thursday, April 23, 2020 tested positive after a test was carried out on him by the NCDC.

    The statement said following the development, “we wish to state that in conformity with the Federal Government protocol on the COVID-19 administration and management, his entire household and those that had contacts with him were subsequently subjected to the test and with so much emotional pains, we hereby announce that the under listed have equally been confirmed positive:

    “1) High chief Aleogho Dokpesi ( His Father/ Founder DAAR Communications PLC) 2. Our chairman’s wife; 3. His three children; 4. some relatives, making a total of eight.

    :They are all presently on their way to the Federal Government isolation centre at Gwagwalada in Abuja.

    “The Board, Management and the entire staff wish them their prayers and the grace of the good Lord for speedy recovery from the COVID 19 pandemic.”

     

  • Russian Prime Minister tests positive for coronavirus

    Russian Prime Minister tests positive for coronavirus

    Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has announced that he had contracted the coronavirus and requested that his first deputy be appointed as acting prime minister

    Mishustin made the announcement during an online conference with President Vladimir Putin.

    He said that he would remain in self-isolation for the time being, but added that his cabinet would continue to operate and that he would stay in touch.

    “In light of this situation, I would like to address all Russian citizens to take the threat of the coronavirus infection and its spread seriously.

    “We have the May celebrations ahead of us and I urge all of you to stay home [during them] and follow all safety rules to prevent the spreading of the disease,” Mishustin said.

    The PM also suggested that his first deputy, Andrey Belousov, be appointed as acting prime minister until he gets well and is able to fully return to work.

    Putin has accepted Belousov’s candidacy and wished Mishustin to get well as soon as possible.

    “What happens to you right now can happen to any of us, I have always said that. […] You, your cabinet, presidential administration are in the zone of high risk [of infection],” Putin told the prime minister.

    The president also announced that all crucial decisions on supporting the Russian economy during the pandemic will be cleared with Mishustin before being signed.

    He also thanked the prime minister for all the work he and his cabinet have done so far and expressed hope that he will be able to continue to take an active part in the cabinet’s activities, despite his illness.