Tag: Coronavirus

Delta Govt debunks report directing aides, workers to undergo compulsory COVID-19 test

Mr Olisa Ifeajika, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, has denied reports that the governor had directed his aides and civil servants to undergo Coronavirus (COVID -19) tests.

Ifeajika, in a statement on Sunday in Asaba, challenged the peddlers to provide evidence of the memo or statement issued by government in that regard.

He said that contrary to reports in the social media, the governor’s position since the global pandemic spread to Delta, had always been for citizens to adhere to the protocols prescribed by NCDC to stem the spread of the virus.

Ifeajika said the governor had also advised that anyone feeling unwell should go to any of the COVID-19 centres across the state for proper check and treatment.

According to him, there was no time that the governor gave any directive, either by internal memo or any press release that government officials should go for test for any disease, including COVID-19.

The governor’s spokesman also distanced his office and the government from another social media report to the effect that the entire media team to the governor tested positive for COVID-19, culminating into shutdown of the Press Unit.

“All the reports are deliberate falsehood, and the purveyors are hereby challenged to publish the alleged internal memo and the signatory.

“The concocted stories, especially the one on no fewer than 43 members of Government House press crew testing positive for COVID-19, only existed in the imagination of the authors as I never spoke to any journalist on the matter.

“For clarity and emphasis, the Chief Press Secretary did not address journalists on Wednesday or any other day recently, not the least, the author of the falsehood,” he said.
According to him, the author’s action is anything but irresponsible and yellow journalism, a misnomer that is acidic and seriously abhorred in the profession.

“As a government, we have our authorised sources of information and anything not released from such sources is fake news and should be discountenanced by members of the public.

“At every point in time, and with every development on COVID-19, we give updates as demonstrated when principal officers in the government tested positive for COVID 19 and we promptly brought it to public knowledge,” he said.

Ifeajika said the government would promptly announce any development in the management of the pandemic in the state through its official channels.

He advised newsmen to always seek clarifications on issues through his office at any given time.

July 13, 2020
740 killed by Coronavirus as infections rise to 32,558

The death toll from the coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria has risen to 740 as 16 new deaths were announced by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Sunday night.

Nigeria recorded 15 deaths from the virus on Saturday.

The fatality rate from the virus in Nigeria is about 2.2 per cent.

Nigeria’s tally of confirmed COVID-19 cases rose to 32, 558 as 571 new infections were recorded on Sunday.

The new figures shows a slight decrease from the 664 infections recorded Saturday.

The NCDC in a tweet said the new cases were reported in 30 states including Lagos-152, Ebonyi-108, Edo-53, Ondo-46, FCT-38, Oyo-20, Kwara-19, Plateau-17, Osun-14, Bayelsa-14, Ekiti-14, Katsina-14, Akwa Ibom-11, Kaduna-11, Rivers-11, Niger-10, Ogun-7, Kano-6, Cross River-4, Bauchi-2.

All 36 states and the FCT have recorded at least a case of the disease.

Lagos State remains the epicentre for the disease with the highest number of confirmed cases and deaths in the country, while Zamfara has not reported any new confirmed case in the past 55 days.

“Till date, 32, 558 cases have been confirmed, 13, 447 cases have been discharged and 740 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory,” it stated.

Since the outbreak of the disease in Nigeria in February, almost 200,000 samples have been tested.

Data from the health agency also indicates that the country is witnessing a high level of community transmission of the virus as 73 per cent of the total diagnosed cases reported unknown sources of exposure to the virus.

Also NCDC said that the predominant age-group affected is 31 to 40.

July 13, 2020
Thousands demonstrate against Israeli government’s virus policy

Thousands of Israelis took to the streets of Tel Aviv against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s economic policy in light of the coronavirus crisis, media outlets reported on Sunday.

More than 10,000 people gathered in central Rabin Square on Saturday evening to draw attention to the financial difficulties brought about the coronavirus crisis, especially self-employed Israelis.

They accuse the government of not taking care of citizens’ needs.

Twelve demonstrators were arrested, a police spokesman said on Sunday.

Some protesters reportedly clashed with the Police after they tried to block central streets in Tel Aviv.

Three officers were slightly injured after demonstrators used pepper spray on them.

Netanyahu, on Thursday, presented his aid package to help people through the coronavirus crisis.

The programme is intended to provide a safety net for the employed, self-employed and businesses through next June, he said.

Finance Minister, Israel Katz, said the total package is worth about 80 billion shekels ($23 billion).

Coronavirus restrictions, put in place earlier this year, took a heavy toll on the Israeli economy, with the unemployment rate most recently registered at more than 20 per cent.

The country’s daily infection rate has been rising again, prompting new restrictions to be imposed, and further increasing criticism of Netanyahu over his crisis management abilities.

According to the Health Ministry, over 37,400 people have been infected with the coronavirus, while 354 of them have died.

July 12, 2020
Finally, Trump wears mask in public

U.S. President Donald Trump surprised the world by wearing a mask in public for the first time since the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Trump had previously refused to wear masks in public, although he had said he would if in a crowd and could not maintain physical distance from others.

He had come under sharp criticisms even from his fellow Republican Party members, who said his stance showed lack of example or leadership.

He finally did that during a visit to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre outside Washington where he met wounded soldiers and frontline healthcare workers.

However, Trump did not mention the coronavirus as a reason for wearing the mask.

“I’ve never been against masks but I do believe they have a time and a place,” he said earlier before leaving the White House.

Later, he said wearing a mask was the right thing to do “when you’re in a hospital … where you’re talking to a lot of soldiers and people that, in some cases, just got off the operating tables.

“I think it’s a great thing to wear a mask,” he declared.

Public health officials and institutions have been urging people to use masks to slow the spread of the virus.

As of Friday, the disease had claimed no fewer than 134,000 lives in the U.S., which has recorded no fewer than three million infections.

July 12, 2020
COVID-19 burden hits new high in Nigeria

Nigeria has recorded 664 new Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the country as total infections from the virus rise to a new high of 31,987.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) made this known on its official twitter handle on Saturday.

The NCDC said that as at 11 July, 664 new confirmed cases and 15 deaths were recorded in the country.

The health agency said that till date, 31,987 cases have been confirmed, 13,103 cases have been discharged and 724 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The NCDC said that the 664 new cases were reported from 18 states; Lagos (224), FCT (105), Edo (85), Ondo (64), Kaduna (32), Imo (27), Osun (19), Plateau (17), Oyo (17), Ogun (17), Rivers (14), Delta (11), Adamawa (10), Enugu (7), Nasarawa (6), Gombe (3), Abia (3), and Ekiti (3).

Consequently, the NCDC urges Nigerians to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in their communities.

“It is very important to wash your hand frequently with soap under running water.

“Let’s all #TakeResponsibiliy by ensuring hygienic practices to keep ourselves and loved ones safe and healthy,” the agency advised.

The health agency said that wearing a mask or face covering in public spaces was one of many ways Nigerians could do their part to stop the spread of COVID-19.

“As we continue to make progress in our fight against this virus, I urge Nigerians to continue to follow this important public health advice as we continue to respond to this outbreak,” it stated.

July 12, 2020
Aviation Minister speaks on full resumption of flights across Nigeria

Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika has said domestic flights would fully resume at Kano, Maiduguri, Benin and other airports across the nation on July 15.

Sirika, who made this known while addressing newsmen at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano (MAKIAK) on Saturday, however, said that any airport not yet ready would be given enough time to prepare not to risk people’s lives.

He commended the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for measures put in place at the airports to curtail spreading of COVID-19.

The minister led a team of aviation industry stakeholders and the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja to MAKIAK on a simulation exercise with MaxAir Flight.

He said the two organisations had done extremely well on physical distancing and good hygiene being established and properly followed at the nation`s airports.

“I am very glad and I think the NCAA with FAAN have done extremely very well under our watch to ensure that everything we put in place on physical distancing and good hygiene is being established and followed.

“So, we believe this airport is one of those airports that are safe to operate in and out during this COVID-19. I am happy with what I saw and it is good enough for us to go,“ the minister said.

Sen. smart Adeyemi, Chairman Senate Committee on Aviation, commended the Aviation Ministry for good supervision to ensure right things were done towards safety to ensure COVID -19 was not spread at the airports.

“Quiet a measure of things have been put in place as far as this airport is concerned to ensure that there is adequate protection and safety for passengers who will be coming in and going out.

“When you talk about this pandemic, the airport is key to eradicating and minimising the infection. Today we have gone round to see the measures already on ground with the objective of minimising the spread,” he said.

Adeyemi urged the ministry to ensure adequate water supply in the Kano Airport as it was done in Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

“I want to suggest that the minister look at the possibilities of extending supply of water to the departure point of this airport. All other things that are needed have been put in place.

“I also believe that there is still need to be information on the board to direct passengers who will be coming in, especially those who will be coming in newly.

“When we compare to that of Abuja we discovered that the departure needs few things to be put in place.

“A lot of campaign still needs to be done within and outside the airport against the spread of COVID-19. With this exception, I know they have done the best that is required of them,“ he said.

July 12, 2020
U.S. breaks record with new Coronavirus infections

The United States again broke its own record for new coronavirus cases in a single day, with over 66,600 fresh infections documented on Friday, according to latest data from Johns Hopkins University.

The U.S. has broken its own record in three out of the last four days, according to the university’s tracker.

Florida, one of the states seeing the sharpest spike, reported more than 10,000 daily cases and 93 new deaths.

Disney resorts in the state are starting to reopen, beginning with the Magic Kingdom and the Animal Kingdom.

Governor Ron De Santis rejected the idea that he had pushed his state to reopen too quickly before the virus spread was under control.

This contradicts what Anthony Fauci, the government’s infectious disease expert has said.

Fauci warned that states, seeing surges of new cases, moved too swiftly in recent weeks and did not follow guidelines.

During a press conference on Saturday, De Santis said he would not be imposing a mandatory mask requirement state-wide.

Disney has enforced one at its locations, as part of its reopening, which comes about four months after the pandemic forced the parks to shut down.

Georgia, also a hotspot, shattered its own record, with more than 4,000 new cases.

However, a fight is brewing between the mayor of the state’s main city, Atlanta, a Democrat, who is trying to roll back re-openings, and the governor, a Republican, who is refusing.

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms warned of “alarming” spike in new cases.

The White House has downplayed the severity of the new outbreaks across multiple states, insisting, despite the evidence that the rising caseloads are only due to expanded testing and focusing on death rates.

While mortality figures have been in sharp decline, they are starting to tick back up, with places like Texas and Florida seeing sustained high levels, far surpassing their peaks earlier in the pandemic.

Texas Governor, Greg Abbott, has been urging citizens to wear masks, despite resistance and warned he may have to impose new rules if cases and hospitalisations continue to climb.

President Donald Trump, who generally does not wear a mask, is due to visit a military hospital and has said he likely would wear a face covering while spending time with injured soldiers.

July 12, 2020
JUST IN: Osun SSG, 21 others recover from Coronavirus

The Secretary to the Osun State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji has recovered from the Coronavirus on Saturday.

A Statement by the Health Commissioner, Dr Rafiu Isamotu noted that the SSG was part of the 22 people that the result returned negative.

It will be recalled that the SSG had about 10 days ago tested positive for the virus.

Dr Isamotu revealed that by Friday evening, the confirmatory test of the SSG carried out after days of care and treatment returned negative. Similarly, 21 other patients have also tested negative and have all been discharged.

The State, however, announced the discovery of 23 additional cases in the State, saying they were contacts from previous cases in the State.

The Commissioner appealed to citizens and residents of the State to always observe all the precautionary measures laid down by the State against the spread of the virus.

He also revealed that with the latest development, the number of confirmed cases in the State has risen to 233 with 116 active cases, adding that the State has successfully treated and discharged 110 patients, while seven deaths have so far been recorded.

July 11, 2020
UPDATE: Lagos lawmaker, Tunde Braimoh killed by Coronavirus

Report reaching us revealed that Tunde Braimoh, the lawmaker representing Kosofe Constituency 2 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, actually died from COVID-19 related complications.

The former chairman of Kosofe Local Government died early Friday, two months to his 60th birthday on 30 September.

Hakeem Sokunle, Chairman, House Committee on Health, told newsmen that the late Braimoh might have died of COVID-19 and it was possible he had contracted it from late Sen. Bayo Osinowo with whom he was a close confidant.

“We have been battling it for a while now before his sudden demise. It is so sad we eventually lost him.

“It is assumed he may have likely contracted the virus from late Pepperito with whom you are much aware he was a close confidant, it is confirmed he died of COVID-19,” Sokunle said.

The deceased, until his sudden death, was the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Security and Strategy who made copious contributions to state developmental policy debate on the floor of the house.

July 10, 2020
President, seven ministers test positive for COVID-19

Bolivia’s President Jeanine Anez said on Thursday she has tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

At least seven ministers, including its health minister, have also tested positive and were either undergoing treatment or recuperating at home.

Anez said in a tweet she was “well” and continuing to work while in isolation. “Together, we will come out of this,” she said.

She said she took a test after many of her team fell ill.

“I feel well, I feel strong, I am going to keep working remotely from my isolation, and I want to thank all the Bolivians who are working to help us in this health crisis,” she said.

Bolivia is due to hold general elections on Sept. 6. The elections were originally planned for May but delayed due to the pandemic.

Political turmoil gripped the country last October when a disputed election led to widespread protests that eventually toppled longtime leftist leader Evo Morales.

Anez, a conservative former senator, assumed the interim president role in the political vacuum and initially said she would not run for full office, but later threw her hat in the ring.

Rival candidate and former President Jorge Tuto Quiroga, who is running again, said it was “indispensable” for Anez to be in full health and working towards the democratic transition.

Other leaders around the world also have contracted the virus.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, 55, spent three days in intensive care sick with COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus, while Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro confirmed on Wednesday he had tested positive.

Bolivia, a landlocked Andean nation of over 11.5 million people has registered more than 42,000 confirmed cases of the disease and 1,500 deaths.

It is one of the worst affected countries per capita in the world.

July 10, 2020