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Tag: Coronavirus

  • COVID-19: Kano State runs out of test kits amid rising infection

    The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) test centre of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in Kano State has ran out of test kits.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Isah Abubakar, Director, Centre for Infectious Diseases Research, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) made this known on Wednesday.

    Abubakar said the centre would remain close until test kits arrived from the federal capital territory (FCT), Abuja.

    “We have already taken some samples and don’t know when we will receive new test kits. That’s why we temporarily suspend operations,” Abubakar told Kano Focus.

    He however assured that samples taken in Kano will be sent to Abuja for testing pending the resumption of the Kano test centre based in AKTH.

    During the temporary closure the laboratory is being fumigated as part of routine bio-safety measures to ensure the safety of staff and the environment, TNG learnt.

    Kano has continued to report rising number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, which the State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje has attributed to the cosmopolitan nature of Kano.

    According to the Governor, the set up of Kano was one of the reasons for the rise in COVID-19 cases, adding that being the most populous State in the country, among other factors, are reasons for the high numbers.

    Governor Ganduje, who made this known at Africa House, Government House, Kano, when Director General (DG) of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu visited the State as part of his assessment tour to assess the State’s response to the pandemic, said:

    “So far, we don’t have very serious cases where index cases need the usage of ventilators and monitors. But that doesn’t mean we shall sit without doing anything. We are doing our best, as acknowledged by the DG NCDC.

    “All the index cases we have are within the metropolitan local governments. We can therefore say, community transmission is not there. So it could be true to say we need more testing centres. There is a need to increase our capacity for testing suspected cases. At the same time we also need more collection centres.

    “Being the most populous State in the country among other factors, are reasons for the high numbers we are recording. Lagos being the second populous state in the country and Abuja being the federal Capital, there is no surprise that the numbers are rising up.

    “So also when Kano becomes the third in this category. Is just like what is happening in other global cities. Due to the metropolitan nature of the settlement”.

    The Governor went further to say that the disease is new and with it’s new behaviour, there is a need to get a new strategy to deal with it.

    “By the time we also have new behaviours of our people, we thought we should also get new strategy to deal with those new behaviours. That is why we are coming up with our Kano State Infectious Diseases Regulation 2020 to take care of those new public behaviours.”

    “The new Law, that was signed on 15th April, 2020, has many provisions to assist in responding to the global pandemic… starting from relating with suspected cases, to other areas in dealing with the disease.

    “We are doing as much as we can to tame the situation. That is why, those suspected cases that are less privileged, we take them to hotel after taking their samples, to keep them there.

    “For those whose samples are positive, we take them to isolation centres. And for those that are negative we leave them go to their residences. Our administration is very serious about this,” Ganduje said.

    As a matter of strong ties among stakeholders, governor Ganduje said “We need interface, rapid response and we need good coordination. As the third state in the category after Lagos state and the federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as the most affected states, we need funds to respond well to this deadly COVID-19 pandemic”.

    The state Deputy Governor Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, who is the Chairman of the State Task Force on COVID-19 and Dr Tijjani Hussaini, the Coordinator of the Technical Team briefed the DG about the feats so far recorded in the state, in the fight against the global pandemic.

    During the visit, the NCDC DG was at some isolation centers to see for himself the level of the State preparedness. He commended the State government response to the fight against the deadly COVID-19 pandemic in the State.

    As at the time of filing this report, Kano has 73 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with one death.

  • COVID-19: ‘It is extremely dangerous Warri people continue to doubt disease’ – Medical Director

    COVID-19: ‘It is extremely dangerous Warri people continue to doubt disease’ – Medical Director

    The Chief Medical Director of Central Hospital, Warri, Dr Paul Okubor has said it is extremely dangerous that people continue to doubt the reality of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Dr Okubor, who disclosed this to newsmen on Wednesday in Warri also said that the hospital’s isolation centre for the treatment of COVID-19 patients is ready.

    He further stated that the treatment centre could take14 patients and that the hospital had all the basic requirements needed to treat any infected persons.

    “The treatment centre in Central Hospital, Warri, is up and running and we are ready to receive patients. The centre can take up to 14 patients.

    “We have all the basic equipment needed to treat anybody that comes. Our various caregivers have received adequate training and are ready to take any patient,” he said.

    Okubor expressed worry over the attitude of some individuals who still doubt the existence of COVID-19 pandemic.

    According to him, such persons are likely the ones flouting the directives of the lockdown order by the state government thereby endangering their lives and that of others.

    Recall that Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa had ordered the lockdown on the state with effect from April 1 as a measure to tackle spread of the global pandemic.

    “Some people still feel that COVID-19 is a scam, it is very unfortunate.

    “I want to appeal to those still doubting, that it is extremely dangerous for them to continue to doubt.

    “If you are still doubting, it means you have not taken the necessary precautions to protect yourselves against the pandemic,” he said.

    He commended Okowa for the proactive measures taken to tackle the spread of the rampaging scourge.

    “Gov. Okowahas done so well, we have four treatment centres in Delta with well trained personnel.

    “He has also tried to contain the spread of the pandemic through the stay-at-home order and ensure that the people are safe.

    “We all have to be alert and for us to stay at alert, we need to take all the necessary precautions.

    “You also have to abide by the rules and regulations in the hospital, wear your face mask, especially with regards to COVID-19, it is very important,” he said.

    The medical expert also advised people on regular washing of hands with soap and running water or used alcohol-based sanitiser.

    “Maintain social distance and if you must cough, cough into you elbow, wash your hands regularly with soap and running water or use hand sanitiser,” he said.

    Okubor said that the facilities to test everybody was not available in the hospital at the moment.

    “However, those who have the need to be tested, especially those who have significant contact with Covid-19 patients will be tested.

    “It is not everybody that is being tested for now,” he said.

  • COVID-19: What Africa needs to overcome pandemic – AfDB

    COVID-19: What Africa needs to overcome pandemic – AfDB

    The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group says accelerated global health and economic effort are the actions needed to be able to overcome the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in the continent.

    President of the group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina said this on Wednesday during a global Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) via webinar (web-based seminar), according to a statement by the bank’s Communications and External Relations Department.

    The corporate council on Africa is a leading U.S. business association that promotes business and investment between the U.S. and Africa.

    He said that “one death is one too many” just as “our collective humanity is at stake”.

    Adesina, therefore, urged U.S. and African government officials as well as corporate executives to forge new and sustainable partnerships that would endure beyond the pandemic.

    While urging participants to be their brother’s and sister’s keepers, the AfDB president said there was a compelling need to pay attention to underlying global inequalities, and the impact on rich and poor countries.

    Adesina highlighted the bank’s recent issuance of a record-breaking three billion dollars “Fight COVID-19” bond, which he described as the largest ever U.S. dollar-denominated social bond.

    He said the bond was oversubscribed at 4.6 billion dollars and was listed on the London Stock Exchange.

    According to him, the bank also inaugurated a 10 billion dollars COVID-19 Response Facility to assist African governments and businesses.

    “The bank’s response package includes 5.5 billion dollars earmarked for African governments, 3.1 billion dollars for countries that fall under the bank’s Concessionary African Development Fund, and 1.4 billion dollars for the private sector,” he said.

    Answering questions about Africa’s health care system, Adesina said the region needed to do more than double spending in the sector.

    He said the acute shortage of facilities and pharmaceutical companies in the continent should offer development and investment opportunities.

    According to him, while China is home to 7,000 pharmaceutical companies, and India 11,000, Africa as a whole by contrast, has only 375, even though its population is roughly equal to half of the combined population of both China and India.

    Adesina, therefore, called on multilateral institutions to align and step up their collective efforts with regard to Africa’s debt, manage their ratings, and work together with rating agencies.

    He said that although COVID-19 infection rates across Africa were relatively low compared with the rest of the world, there was yet a compelling need to improve on healthcare infrastructure in the continent.

    He added that with an eye on the present crisis and beyond, there was need for urgent, new, and resilient partnerships that would help leave no one behind.

    Meanwhile, Florie Liser, President/CEO of the Corporate Council on Africa has lauded AfDB’s proactive leadership role in responding to the crisis in Africa.

    According to Liser, the coronavirus pandemic is threatening to erase Africa’s unprecedented growth and economic gains over the past decade.

  • COVID-19: NITDA draws attention to fraudulent online forms for disbursement of relief materials

    The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has warned the general public to beware of fraudulent form being circulated online for the disbursement of relief materials.

    Mrs Hadiza Umar, Head, Corporate Affairs and External Relations of NITDA, gave the warning in a statement she signed on Tuesday in Abuja.

    “NITDA wishes to draw the attention of the general public to yet another fraudulent online data collection form capitalising on the COVID-19 pandemic to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.

    “The information being circulated which has now gone viral on various social media platforms, requests users to provide their personal data such as phone number, email address, bank details, etc.

    “This, the information indicates, that it is for the users to access various government palliatives aimed at cushioning the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “This site is a fraudulent site and Nigerians are advised to be wary of such online requests,” Umar said.

    According to her, government at all levels have established channels of collecting information for the purpose of disbursing palliatives.

    She said that the lockdown period observed both nationally and at the global level had increased the activities of cyber criminals.

    The official reiterated that the agency was ensuring a safe, secure cyberspace for all citizens and was shutting down all identified fraudulent online platforms as well as sanctioning them.

    Umar advised internet users to avoid giving out their personal information to any unverified data collection platform.

    “Internet users should avoid clicking unknown links, disregard offers requesting for their bank details, avoid sharing any unverified information via social media platforms,” she said.

    She also called on Nigerians to support the Federal Government in its efforts at containing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country by adhering to recommendations by health experts.

  • Coronavirus: Aviation minister rejects flight approval for five governors

    Five governors have been denied flight approval by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika since the closure of the airports and the lockdown order by President Muhammadu Buhari owing to the measure to check the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

    According to the minister, three out of the four governors who were denied flight approval were members of the All Progressives Congress.

    Two of the governors, according to him are from the South-east, two from South-south while one was from North-central.

    He, however, noted that 98 percent of the flight approved and those to be approved will be COVID-19 related.

    Sirika disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday at the daily press briefing by members of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

    He said: “Every single flight that we approved and will be approved will be an essential flight and 98percent of the essential flight will be connected to COVID-19.

    “A few of them, maybe 1percent may be either repatriation, request from the diplomatic community which must go through foreign affairs, or repatriation due to illness of another kind which will be medical-kind and those evacuations will also need a stamp of a teaching hospital.

    He went further to explain: “However, I want to share with you a discussion I had on twitter with someone when I said we will not be able to open our airport and airspace as a result of the extension of the lockdown for normal operations and someone said; Kindly stop all the VIPs shuttle going on. It makes no sense to lock citizens up and allow governors to stroll in and out of Abuja. In the first instance, they carried this virus into Nigeria and now running around is not Okay.”

    “I said to the person that I agree with him but whatever is approved or whoever is approved to fly privately, governor or no governor is on an essential flight and it is addition and 98percent is related to COVID-19.

    “There is no exception to governors. I have denied several of such flights. Including two governors from South-south, two from South-east and by the way, three of them are members of the APC and I think one is from North-central.

    “For a flight to be approved, it shows that it is diligently done. It must be essential, COVID-19 related or other essential flights like cargo that will bring in medicines or equipment or other things related to COVID-19 or our whole wellbeing like food.

    “Please trust us and bear with us for this period but it will end soon by God’s grace.”

    On some flights flying around Abuja on Tuesday afternoon, he said: “I think it is occasioned by information dished out by the Nigerian Air Force that they will be carrying out flying activity this week to mark their week and I think what you see is the flight rehearsal.”

  • Largest trial: Trump’s hydroxychloroquine fails on treatment of Covid-19, increases deaths

    Largest trial: Trump’s hydroxychloroquine fails on treatment of Covid-19, increases deaths

    A malaria drug widely touted by President Donald Trump for treating the new coronavirus showed no benefit in a large analysis of its use in U.S. veterans hospitals.

    There were more deaths among those given hydroxychloroquine versus standard care, researchers reported.

    The nationwide study was not a rigorous experiment. But with 368 patients, it’s the largest look so far of hydroxychloroquine with or without the antibiotic azithromycin for COVID-19, which has killed more than 171,000 people as of Tuesday.

    The study was posted on an online site for researchers and has been submitted to the New England Journal of Medicine, but has not been reviewed by other scientists. Grants from the National Institutes of Health and the University of Virginia paid for the work.

    Researchers analyzed medical records of 368 male veterans hospitalized with confirmed coronavirus infection at Veterans Health Administration medical centers who died or were discharged by April 11.

    About 28% who were given hydroxychloroquine plus usual care died, versus 11% of those getting routine care alone. About 22% of those getting the drug plus azithromycin died too, but the difference between that group and usual care was not considered large enough to rule out other factors that could have affected survival.

    Hydroxychloroquine made no difference in the need for a breathing machine, either.

    Researchers did not track side effects, but noted hints that hydroxychloroquine might have damaged other organs. The drug has long been known to have potentially serious side effects, including altering the heartbeat in a way that could lead to sudden death.

    Earlier this month, scientists in Brazil stopped part of a hydroxychloroquine study after heart rhythm problems developed in one-quarter of people given the higher of two doses being tested.

    Many doctors have been leery of the drug.

    At the University of Wisconsin, Madison, “I think we’re all rather underwhelmed” at what’s been seen among the few patients there who’ve tried it, said Dr. Nasia Safdar, medical director of infection control and prevention.

    Patients asked about it soon after Trump started promoting its use, “but now I think that people have realized we don’t know if it works or not” and needs more study, said Safdar, who had no role in the VA analysis.

    The NIH and others have more rigorous tests underway.

  • Kano troubled by over 150 unusual deaths in 72hrs, cause of deaths unknown, says official

    Kano troubled by over 150 unusual deaths in 72hrs, cause of deaths unknown, says official

    As the novel coronavirus continues to spread rapidly in Nigeria with 782 confirmed cases, a new twist on unusual deaths in Kano State has heighten the tension in the country, especially that Kano’s Covid-19 cases has risen to 73, according to the NCDC’s April 21 reports.

    There was serious fear and panic in the state as over 150 persons have reportedly died of unknown causes.

    According to the report, over 150 people died in Kano between Friday and Saturday last week, as their cause of death remains unknown.

    There are fears that the deceased must have died as a result of a strange ailment, amid the recent coronavirus outbreak.

    The report noted that figure of the dead buried in the three cemeteries excludes other people buried in dozens of burial grounds in the eight local government areas that constitute Kano metropolis, though those working in such cemeteries said they did not notice anything unusual.

    Also, authorities in Kano, community leaders, families of the deceased and medical officials have given different opinion on the matter with the state ministry of health saying it was investigating the matter.

    Attendants and undertakers across the three cemeteries that witnessed unusual burials described the current regularity of burials in the city as unprecedented, urging the government to as a matter of urgency investigate to ascertain the real cause.

    Areas where deaths have been reported include; Zage, Kano Municipal, Tarauni, Gwale, Kurna, Dala, Chiromawa, Zango, Kofar Mata, Fagge, Kumbotso, and some local government areas outside the metropolitan like Bichi, Kunchi, Wudil, Gwarzo, and Shanono.

    Adamu Umar, a cemetery guard at farm centre, said he buried over 17 people, adding that the situation is scary, as it is unusual since he began working there in the last four years.

    Yesterday, about 10 people were also said to have been buried at Dandolo Community.

    Meanwhile, the Kano State Government says it has begun investigation into claims that there was a surge in deaths in Kano metropolis.

    Dr Tijjani Hussaini, Executive Secretary, Kano State Primary Healthcare Board, told newsmen, yesterday in Kano that medics were yet to ascertain the medical cause of the said deaths, but acknowledged that the situation had “sent residents panicking”.

    “The investigation is prompted by reports that more deaths have been recorded in the past seven days,” Hussaini, who did not state the number of deaths so far recorded,.

    Hussaini said that the investigation was focusing on the symptoms exhibited by the victims before giving up.

    “We want to know the number of persons already dead. We also want to investigate how they died.

    “It is when we have a good idea; it is when we get the outcome of the findings that we can properly draw conclusions and brief the public,” he said.

    The Commissioner for Health, Dr Aminu Tsanyawa, who also spoke on the issue, said that the ministry had embarked on clinical investigation to unravel the cause of the said deaths in Kano metropolis.

    Tsanyawa advised residents of the metropolis not to panic, urging them to observe preventive measures and personal hygiene while complying with the stay-at-home order.

    “The ministry is aware of social media reports insinuating mass deaths in the metropolis. We will soon address the issue,” he said.

    Commenting on the situation, Prof. Isa Abubakar, Director, Centre for Infectious Diseases (CID), Bayero University Kano (BUK), said that the rising number of deaths recorded during the lockdown may not necessarily be linked to COVID-19 pandemic.

    Abubakar, who is also an expert in Public Health and Community Medicine, added that the increasing rate of deaths could be attributed to other reasons.

  • No WAEC, NECO until after COVID-19 lockdown – FG

    The Nigerian Government has announced the postponement of this year’s Senior School Certificate Examination organised by the West African Examinations Council and National Examinations Council due to Coronavirus outbreak.

    According to Emeka Nwajubu, Minister of State for Education, government has made provisions for students to learn online.

    He said, “WAEC and NECO for the year have been postponed indefinitely.

    “The students can learn online, we have made a lot of provision for that. The director of FCT has also opened a portal for the process

    “We are working with the Ministry of Information to escalate education content to provide for everyone at home.

    “Our biggest challenge is to reach children who do not have devices but we are working with radio corporations to instil some of that for primary and secondary students.”

  • Ekiti doctor contacts coronavirus while treating infected pregnant woman

    Ekiti doctor contacts coronavirus while treating infected pregnant woman

    The Ekiti State Government on Tuesday said a medical doctor working with a private clinic in the state, has tested positive for coronavirus, bringing to four the number of confirmed cases in the state.

    The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mojisola Yaya-Kolade who made this disclosure on Tuesday, while addressing newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, said the doctor contracted the disease while treating an expectant 29-year-old woman suffering from the pandemic.

    The 29-year old woman, who is a health official with Lagos State government, was announced as third index case in Ekiti, last Saturday.

    Yaya-Kolade, said only one doctor tested positive with 15 turning out to be negative among the blood samples taken to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

    “Yes, we have one doctor who tested positive and he is being treated at the isolation centre, but others were negative”.

    However, the Nigerian Medical Association(NMA), Ekiti chapter, has called for adequate protection for medical workers through provision of life insurance and other measures as a doctor reportedly tested positive for COVID 19.

    The association also expressed happiness over the news that 15 doctors working with the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti, tested negative, describing this as cheering news to members of the profession.

    Speaking with journalists in Ado Ekiti, on Tuesday, the NMA State Chairman, Dr. Tunji Omotayo, said there was need for government to increase the welfare of medical workers as a doctor contracted the disease while trying to save life.

    Omotayo added that it was imperative for government to pay adequate attention to the increment of the hazard allowance being paid to medical workers, which he described as ridiculous and disgusting as of now.

    “We are very happy that 15 doctors from FETHI were tested negative. This is a cheering news to us and it confirmed the level of professionalism and precautionary measures being taken by our men.

    “We learnt that the colleague found to have tseted positive had been taken to the isolation centre for proper treatment and the hope is high that he would soon recover.

    “But there are some salient issues that government must tackle. As of now, doctors are being paid N5,000 hazard allowance monthly while our colleagues in the universities take N30,0000. You can see how ridiculous the situation was.

    “The government said only workers working at the isolation centre will have their hazard allowances increased, but they must know that the patients will first come to the hospitals where they have contacts with our members and our colleagues are more at risk, because that is where the disease is discovered before the patient is taken to isolation.

    “Having done the necessary risk assessment under COVID 19 situation, we are demanding that our colleagues should be put on life insurance and the government must increase hazard allowance to all categories of medical workers during this Coronavirus period.

    “Added to that is the need to provide adequate safety kits like apron, booths, goggles , gloves and other safety kits that can make our less predisposed to this deadly disease.

    “We quite appreciate the fact that what happened to our colleague who tested positive to the disease was part of the hazards of the job, but necessary things must be done to provide the safety net for medical practitioners”, he said.

    Omotayo appealed to doctors and other medical practitioners to take proper precautions and be professional to reduce the number of victims among medical officials testing positive for COVID 19.

  • NMA Chairman tests positive for Coronavirus

    NMA Chairman tests positive for Coronavirus

    The Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Sokoto state chapter, Dr Sani Abubakar, has tested positive for Coronavirus.

    Abubakar disclosed this via his social media platforms on Tuesday.

    ”One of my unpleasant responsibilities is when I have to break bad news to my highly cherished brethren. It became worse now that it is about me.

    ”I have been tested and confirmed positive for COVID-19 and I have commenced treatment, and currently, I am clinically stable,” Abubakar said.

    Abubakar added that he had no travel history or contact with any confirmed or suspected case so far.

    ”I have been in isolation and suspended physical contact with family, friends and associates since I was pronounced a suspected case,” he said.

    According to him, the Sokoto State Taskforce Committee on Coronavirus is doing the needful.

    He urged his colleagues to be attentive as he might probably reach the dreaded phase of community transmission.

    ”We should be more vigilant, maintain all standard precautions and stay safe,” the chairman said.

    Abubakar is a consultant hematologists at Usmanu Danfodio University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto.