TheNewsGuru

Tag: Coronavirus

  • BREAKING: Three Kano COVID-19 patients abscond from their homes, switch-off mobile phones

    BREAKING: Three Kano COVID-19 patients abscond from their homes, switch-off mobile phones

    Three COVID-19 patients are on the run in Kano.

    The Coordinator of Kano Taskforce on COVID 19, Dr Tijjani Hussain, confirmed the development on Monday.

    He said the three coronavirus patients disappeared from their respective houses and have been unreachable.

    According to him, the patients have switched off their phones with their homes deserted.

    He said that they must have relocated elsewhere, stating that the Task Force was in search of them.

    “We are collaborating with security agents to track them and bring them to the isolation centre,” Hussain said in an interview with The Nation.

    Kano has 77 confirmed cases with three recorded death.

    Details shortly…

  • BREAKING: Almajirai deported from Kano tested positive for COVID-19 in Kaduna

    The Kaduna State Government has confirmed five new cases of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the State, bringing the total number of active COVID-19 cases in the State to nine.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Dr. Amina Mohammed-Baloni Commissioner of Health for Kaduna State made this known in a statement on Monday, revealing that the new cases were among Almajirai recently deported from Kano.

    The statement reads: “The Kaduna State Ministry of Health regrets to confirm that five new cased of Covid-19 have been identified in the state. There are now nine active cases in the state.

    “The new cases are among almajirai who were recently repatriated from Kano. The contacts of the new cases are being traced so that they can be monitored and tested if they meet the case definition.

    “The new patients have been moved to the Infectious Diseases Control Centre, the state’s premier isolation centre. Our medical professionals are treating them with the same high standards and we wish all our nine active cases speedy recovery.

    “Testing capacity has improved in the state. Two labs, one each in Kaduna and Zaria, have been accredited by NCDC to conduct Covid-19 tests.

    “The Ministry of Health wishes to remind the general public of the importance of hand-washing, personal hygiene, social distancing and the avoidance of large gatherings in helping protect us all from Covid-19. It is important to stay home, stay safe and save lives”.

  • NCDC DG commends Nigerians for reaching out to solve shortage of COVID-19 kits

    NCDC DG commends Nigerians for reaching out to solve shortage of COVID-19 kits

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has commended Nigerians for reaching out to solve the shortage of the Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) extraction kits.

    Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director General of NCDC gave the commendation on Monday on his verified Twitter handle.

    Ihekweazu had on Sunday tweeted: ”We’re desperately looking for more RNA extraction kits as we expand #COVID19 testing.

    ”Product: Total viral RNA extraction kits (preferably spin column and with a lysis buffer). Manufacturers: Qiagen, ThermoFischer, SeeGene, Inqaba, LifeRiver etc.”

    RNA is a polymeric molecule essential in various biological roles in coding, decoding, regulation and expression of genes.

    On Monday, Ihekweazu tweeted: ”very grateful to everyone who reached out to solve this challenge with us. Our support to each other, even when done quietly, will enable us pull through. One day, we will tell the story of this response in full. For now, we keep pushing”.

    As at April 26, 2020, 91 new confirmed cases and five new deaths were recorded in Nigeria.

    Four new states (Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Kebbi and Taraba) have reported confirmed cases in the last 24 hours.

    Till date, 1273 cases have been confirmed, 239 cases have been discharged and 40 deaths have been recorded in 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

    The 91 new cases are reported from sixteen states- Lagos (43), Sokoto (8), Taraba (6), Kaduna(5), Gombe (5), Ondo (3), FCT (3), Edo (3), Oyo (3), Rivers (3), Bauchi (3), Osun (2), Akwa Ibom (1), Bayelsa (1), Ebonyi (1), Kebbi (1).

    A multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level three, continues to coordinate the national response activities.

  • COVID-19: Britain risks second peak

    COVID-19: Britain risks second peak

    Britain is `turning the tide’ in its fight to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus but must continue social distancing measures to avoid a second peak of infections.

    Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday in his first speech since returning to work after his own infection with the virus.

    Johnson urged the public not to `throw away all the effort and sacrifice’ and risk a second peak by lifting Britain’s near lockdown too early.

    “And yet it is also true that we are making progress with fewer hospital admissions, fewer COVID-19 patients in ICU and real signs now that we are passing through the peak,’’ he said outside Downing Street.

    “I know there will be many people looking at our apparent success and beginning to wonder whether now is the time to go easy on those social distancing measures,’ Johnson said, warning that “a second peak could lead to economic disaster.’’

    The government wants to reduce the number of deaths and infections, protect health services, expand COVID-19 testing programmes.

    He added that government would secure a supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health staff before it moves to a second phase of responding to the pandemic.

    “It will then begin gradually to refine the economic and social restrictions and one-by-one to fire up the engines of this vast UK economy,” Johnson said.

    “And in that process, difficult judgements will be made and we simply cannot spell out now how fast or slow or even when those changes will be made.’’

  • COVID-19: Road Transport Companies counters Airline Operators, says ‘we are more in dire need of government support’

    COVID-19: Road Transport Companies counters Airline Operators, says ‘we are more in dire need of government support’

    The Association of Private Transport Companies of Nigeria (APTCON) has countered the demand of airline operators for financial intervention with a demand of their own, stating that road transport companies have a much stronger claim to government’s financial support.

    Recall that the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), had earlier in the week demanded inclusion in the government’s stimulus packages as well as other palliatives to help the association through the COVID-19 crisis and after.

    Audu Gaddo, spokesperson for APTCON, in a statement released Sunday, explained that road transport operations had also been devastated by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and that, considering its pivotal position in the Nigerian economy, the government should give road transport operators priority.

    “Road transport definitely employs more Nigerians than airline operators. Millions of Nigerians work for the road transport business, both directly and indirectly,” Gaddo said.

    He added, “It is also the main transport mode since the average Nigerian cannot afford to fly. If the sector suffers, it will affect every Nigerian across the country while most have little or no economic stake in air travel.

    “Our requests only cover organised road transporters; companies that operate legitimate road transport services, having a proper business structure and paying taxes. So, government has no challenge identifying beneficiaries and channelling its support to those who contribute to government revenue.”

    By way of clarification, Gaddo further explained: “We are not opposed to government supporting airline operators, however, we strongly believe that given the unique place of road transport operations in the Nigerian economy at all levels, road transport companies should be first in line for government’s financial support.”

    He argued that the government will be insensitive to the plight of the general populace if it considered bailing air operators without first providing much-needed support to road transport companies.

    “Airline operators have consistently enjoyed government’s support and palliatives in the past, yet still collapse, while we road transport operators are left to our own devices even though we provide our services under harsh conditions, like bad roads and multiple taxations leading to really high overheads.

    “Contrary to the claim that all other forms of transportation no longer pay Value Added Tax (VAT); it should be noted that road transport operators still pay VAT,” Gaddo said, responding to AON’s claim that only domestic airlines still pay VAT despite an executive order from 2018 exempting transport services for use by the general public from paying VAT.

    Gaddo called on the Vice President, Minister of Transport, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as key players to work together in implementing the demands of road transport operators.

    APTCON’s statement read in part:

    “Transportation is one of the non-oil drivers of the Nigerian economy, and road transport contributes the largest share in the transportation sub-sector. It is also the fastest-growing. In the third quarter of 2019, road transport contributed 1.79% to the overall Gross Domestic Product of Nigeria, compared to air transport with 0.15% and water with 0.01%.

    “Beyond contributing to the GDP, road transport provides the network essential for nationwide business and tourism, enabling all other sectors one way or the other and pushing growth in remote corners of the country.

    “Travel by road also remains the core connector for Nigeria’s thirty-six states and federal capital. A few times every year, thousands of young Nigerians flock to motor parks on their way to their call up station for national youth service, Nigeria’s biggest attempt at national integration. It is symbolic that the NYSC scheme would be impossible without road transport operators who ferry most of these youths to all corners of the nation.

    “Moreover, in connecting Nigeria and supporting its economy, road transport businesses employ millions of Nigerians both in the formal and informal sectors of the economy. Even without precise figures, it is easy to surmise that the road transport section is one of the biggest employers of labour both directly and indirectly.

    “Therefore, in the best interest of the Nigerian economy at all levels, policymakers now need to recognize the value of road transport businesses and lend them the support needed to drive the collective wealth of this nation.”

  • COVID-19: Buhari receives briefings from Health Minister, NCDC DG [Photos]

    COVID-19: Buhari receives briefings from Health Minister, NCDC DG [Photos]

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday received briefing by Health Minister Dr. Osagie Ehanire and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Director-General Chikwe Ihekweazu, on the latest development on Coronavirus and the ‘strange’ disease in Kano.

    Ehanire told reporters that the meeting was on the position of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 Control.

    The President’s meeting with the minister and the NCDC director-general came less than 24 hours to the expiration of the 14-day extension to a lockdown in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lagos and Ogun states to contain the pandemic.

    Ehanire said the PTF presented to the President its advice and recommendations on way forward as regard the ongoing fight against the spread of the deadly virus.

    “We also brought the overall summary of position of the Presidential Task Force which as you know comprises of not only the health minister but other ministries.

    “We have aggregated the opinions that we have, weighing the health and the socio-economic factors and everything, to present our own opinion and recommendations to Mr President.’’

    Ehanire said the nation was winning the fight against the pandemic as all relevant health institutions had agreed to work together to achieve the desired goal of defeating the novel Coronavirus.

    He said: “The fight is going on very well. As I said, all countries have continued with the struggle against Coronavirus, using the strategies that they have developed for their own countries.

    “We have developed a strong strategy as we are working with other experts groups like the NCDC and relevant health organisations. So, we are also working with the states and the governors.’’

    On Kano’s strange disease,” which has killed many people, the minister said his ministry had been communicating with relevant agencies, including the Kano State Government with a view to addressing the health problem.

    Ihekweazu advised Nigerians against wasting their meagre resources on the procurement of what he described as uncertified Rapid Diagnostic Test Kits.

    He said: “We will continue to build up our testing strategies. At the moment 14 testing centres have been activated across the country.

    “We want to bring the test closer to every state. Everybody is working very hard to solve this problem.

    “I can see that some people are already procuring Rapid Diagnostic Test Kits. They don’t work as far as we know.

    “So, I will really recommend that we all stick to the National Strategy, build on it, support its expansion and together we will get on top of the pandemic.’’

  • My take away lessons from COVID-19 pandemic so far – Tiwa Savage

    My take away lessons from COVID-19 pandemic so far – Tiwa Savage

    Award-winning singer, Tiwa Savage has listed the lessons learned from the horrors of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Pandemic.

    In a lengthy post on her social media page, the self-acclaimed African bad girl revealed she had been humbled by the Pandemic which has proved to be a no respecter of persons or status.

    Tiwa Savage whose album was scheduled to be released in 2020, disclosed she had to shelf her plans and cancel a lot of shows, concerts and tours.

    She admonished her fans and followers to value family time and savings even after the Pandemic comes to an end.

    Read Tiwa Savage’s post:

    “This is a really weird time for everyone. Whether you are rich or famous; it affects everyone. It can be a little scary actually because one doesn’t know what would happen next. One doesn’t know what tomorrow brings.

    “The coronavirus pandemic has humbled me because I had my album ready to be released. I had a lot of shows, festivals and tours lined up. All of that had to be cancelled and some postponed. We don’t know’’, when this will stop. This is despite all the plans one has already made. It definitely humbled all of us.”

    “When this is over, I hope it teaches us to value the small things in life. I hope it teaches us to value spending time with family and saving; it is important to save.

    “When we get back to our normal lives, I hope we don’t go back to what we were doing before. I hope this teaches us to value family, our mental state and being close to God. It’s only God that can take us out of this.”

  • Abuja COVID-19 survivor shares recovery experience at Gwagwalada Isolation Centre

    Thirty-five-year old Salihu Umar was diagnosed with COVID-19 after returning from a six-day trip to London in March 2020.

    Although asymptomatic, he tested positive and underwent treatment. Having recovered and back with his family in the Nigerian capital Abuja, the father of three stresses the importance of getting tested especially after having travelled to an area affected by the virus.

    “I initially did not show any symptoms. Knowing fully well about the guidelines for people who travelled to high risk areas like the UK, I self-isolated for a day and decided to get in touch with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to take the COVID-19 test to be on the safe side.

    “Health officials showed up … they promised to get back to me the next day or later that same day. It however took three days to get a response from them. (Days later) I got a call from a doctor who introduced herself as an NCDC official. She broke the unfortunate news that my result turned out positive. She added that they need to take another sample to rerun the test for confirmation. I could not believe her as I was not showing any symptoms. At some point I felt it was a mistake, but I couldn’t do anything to prove them wrong as that’s the only place that runs the tests.

    “In a few minutes, NCDC officials picked me from my house to Gwagwalada isolation centre. Upon arrival, I was examined by a doctor and placed on some medications. The doctors gave me some counselling and assured me of their commitment to making sure we make it out of the isolation centre healthy. The doctor added that even though I was asymptomatic, I still needed to commence treatment as soon as possible.

    “I had mixed feelings, especially knowing that the disease has no cure and the number of people the virus kills every day.

    “It was quite depressing, being confined in a facility away from family and friends. It was the first time I was in that kind of situation. I was always (up and about) and suddenly I couldn’t move. From face timing (online chatting) with my family to tweeting and linking up with friends to sending emails. There was no time my kids missed me for one day. We were always connected.

    “A week into my isolation, another sample was taken to see how I was progressing. Unfortunately, it still came back positive. At that point I was losing hope for survival. The doctors assured me of my progress, saying I was doing well…

    “Lo and behold, another sample was taken on the twelfth day of isolation and it came out negative. Another one was taken after a few days and was still negative. I was free to go but was advised to self-isolate for one more week to ensure full recuperation and completion of the drugs which I did and finally finish without showing any more symptoms. That was the last time I heard from NCDC.

    “I’m so grateful to the NCDC, World Health Organization and all the doctors and the nurses in Nigeria who risked their lives to save my life.

    “For those battling COVID-19, I want you to know that this disease is not a death sentence. Never succumb to fear.

    “As for other people hiding their travel history and symptoms for fear of social stigma, you can do better. Let us fight this together. Do the necessary. Go get tested.”

  • BREAKING: COVID-19 enters 4 new States, as cases rise above 1200 in Nigeria

    BREAKING: COVID-19 enters 4 new States, as cases rise above 1200 in Nigeria

    The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been reported for four new States in Nigeria as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed 91 new cases on Sunday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the four new States are Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Kebbi and Taraba, bringing the total number of States in the country having COVID-19 to 32 and the federal capital territory (FCT), Abuja.

    On Sunday night, the NCDC announced 92 new confirmed cases, revealing five new deaths were recorded in the country.

    Till date, 1273 cases have been confirmed, 239 cases have been discharged and 40 deaths have been recorded in 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

    The 91 new cases are reported from sixteen States- Lagos (43), Sokoto (8), Taraba (6), Gombe (5), Ondo (3), FCT (3), Edo (3), Oyo (3), Rivers (3), Bauchi (3), Osun (2), Akwa Ibom (1), Bayelsa (1), Ebonyi (1), Kebbi (1).

    “A multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, continues to coordinate the national response activities,” the NCDC stated.

    The States yet to report any case of COVID-19 are Cross River, Nasarawa, Yobe and Kogi.

  • BREAKING: Kaduna State extends lockdown by 30 days

    BREAKING: Kaduna State extends lockdown by 30 days

    The Kaduna State Government has extended the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown in the State by 30 days.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Muyiwa Adekeye, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication made this known in a statement on Sunday.

    Read full statement below:

    KADUNA UPDATE: KDSG extends quarantine by 30 days

    Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has extended the quarantine orders being enforced in the state for another 30 days. The governor’s decision follows a recommendation to that effect by the State Standing Committee on Covid-19, which is chaired by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe. This is effective from today, 26th April 2020.

    With Covid-19 cases rising rapidly in neighbouring states and the FCT, and with strong evidence of interstate travel being a major means of spreading the virus, the Standing Committee’s evaluation is that measures to protect Kaduna State residents require further strengthening and more vigorous enforcement.

    Malam Nasir El-Rufai has endorsed this evaluation and has accordingly reviewed the Quarantine Orders to strengthen the provisions against unauthorised movements. The two-day window during which the restriction of movement is relaxed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays has been reduced to only one day.

    Henceforth, only Wednesdays will be lockdown-free, until the trajectory of Covid-19 infections becomes clearer.

    All persons that venture out of their homes for whatever reason must wear facemasks and observe social distancing everywhere they go, in markets and in authorised vehicles. Government is making efforts to provide facemasks for poor and vulnerable residents, and it appeals to everyone that can afford it to get their tailors to make them cloth face masks which they can wash after every use. The government also encourages tailors to produce facemasks for sale to those that are neither poor nor vulnerable.

    Wearing of face masks will be robustly enforced as a critical public health measure to reduce person-person transmission.

    The state government said that the measures announced on 26th March 2020, to contain Covid-19 remain in force and have been renewed. These were imposed in exercise of the powers vested in the Governor by Section 45 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, (as amended), Sections 2 and 8 of the Quarantine Act 1926, now known as CAP Q2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and the Public Health Law of 1917.

    Therefore, further to these declarations, and in accordance with the law, the quarantine orders imposed at midnight on Thursday, 26th March 2020, are further extended for another 30 days, with the following conditions, amongst others:

    i. All residents of Kaduna State are quarantined and must stay at home.

    ii. No office, event centre, market, shop or business of any sort or place of worship is allowed to open;

    iii. The only category of persons exempted are workers in essential services such as health workers, the fire service, water corporation, electricity distribution and security personnel. Tankers conveying fuel to petrol stations are also permitted to move;

    iv. Businesses in the food and pharmaceutical value-chain are exempted; and shall enjoy the protections accorded to other essential services;

    v. Schools, places of worship, event centres, sports grounds, bars, restaurants, public parks and all other places where large crowds could gather are to remain closed until further notice.

    vi. Residents are advised to stay at home, observe social distancing, avoid large gatherings, wear facemasks and wash their hands regularly with soap and water.

    The Quarantine Orders prescribe fines, imprisonment and forfeiture for violations of the provisions specified therein.

    The Kaduna State Government has clearly stated that no visitor is welcome to enter the state while the Covid-19 pandemic is raging. Entry into or passage through Kaduna State is prohibited whilst the Quarantine Orders remain in force. Persons seeking to come into the state will be denied entry. Such persons will be given the option of returning to their take-off points or entering isolation for 14 days in locations and conditions that are so austere that nobody can mistake them for holiday resorts.

    The vehicles being used to enable such attempts to breach the quarantine conditions will be confiscated and forfeited to the government. The companies operating those vehicles will also be prosecuted and shall lose their license to operate in the state, even after the Covid-19 pandemic is contained. Within the state, vehicles of whatever type that are determined to be in violation will be confiscated and forfeited to the government, while the persons driving them will be fined, and may be imprisoned upon conviction. Motorcycle taxis and tricycles (popular known as Keke Napep) are prohibited in the state. Persons driving or riding in them shall be prosecuted while the vehicles shall be forfeited upon conviction.

    Mobile courts have been empowered by the Quarantine Orders to try violators and impose the prescribed penalties, including fines, imprisonment and forfeiture of vehicles, upon conviction.

    Conscious of the need to keep vital industries and businesses in the farming, food and pharmaceutical value chains operational, trailers and trucks conveying food, seeds, fertilizer and medical products are exempted from the restriction of movement. Such vehicles must, however, not carry more than three persons, including the driver. Otherwise they will be deemed to be engaging in illegal transport of persons which is a breach of quarantine orders.

    Anyone thinking of disguising as a food vendor by parading a few bags of rice or other food in their cars must cut the pretence as they will be prosecuted at the mobile court and the vehicle forfeited to the government upon conviction.

    The Kaduna State Government has also directed the Ministry for Local Government to ensure that local government chairmen are fully involved in enforcing the quarantine orders in their council areas. The Ministry of Local Government has also reminded traditional and community leaders of their obligation to report violations of quarantine conditions in their localities. Places of worship that violate the quarantine orders in any form will lose their titles to the land and the buildings will be demolished.

    Regarding burials, guidelines from the Ministry of Health will outline the maximum number of persons that can attend any burial, while observing safety and social distancing rules. Gatherings for condolence are prohibited until the Covid-19 pandemic is declared over. The burial of any fatality from Covid-19 will be in accordance with the strict protocol to be announced by the Commissioner of Health.

    The extension of the quarantine conditions imposes an obligation to make provision for the low income, poor and vulnerable persons that would be adversely affected, as they may be unable to earn any income while the lockdown persists. The state government has done a first phase of distribution of food across 59 community clusters in nine local government areas. The next phase will be conducted across the 23 local government areas.

    To fund the provision of these support packages, the Kaduna State Government expects all those fortunate enough to still earn a regular income to live up to their neighbourly responsibility towards those who are unable to earn any money due to no fault of theirs. Therefore, the less than 100, 000 persons who work for the Kaduna State Government as political appointees and public servants must contribute financially towards enabling the almost 10m persons living in the state to survive and thrive in this emergency period.

    Therefore, the Kaduna State Government has directed all its senior appointees, including Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, Special Advisers and Heads of Agencies to each donate N500,000 in April 2020. In subsequent months, they will donate 50% of their salaries until the quarantine ends. Other categories of political appointees will also be making monthly donations to support the provision of relief to the low income, poor and vulnerable residents of the state.

    Career public servants earning a net pay of N67,000 and above after tax will also donate 25% of their pay monthly whilst the quarantine conditions are in place. No public servant will have less N50,000 monthly to manage in this emergency period.

    We are obliged to demonstrate that as government workers, we care enough for others to donate part of our earnings for their wellbeing. As a state government, we are also seeking donations from high net worth individuals, the private sector and development partners to support our efforts to contain Covid-19 and its consequences.

    The Kaduna State Government wishes to inform potential donors that we prefer donations to be in kind: personal protective equipment, PCR machines, medical facilities and equipment, facemasks, food, pharmaceuticals, and fertilizer, seeds and seedlings and other support for farmers. The state government will publicly acknowledge all donations in addition to the letters of appreciation that shall be sent to all donors.

    Signed

    Muyiwa Adekeye

    Special Adviser to the Governor (Media & Communication)

    26th April 2020