TheNewsGuru

Tag: COVID-19

  • COVID-19: Why fully vaccinated residents may have to take more than two doses – Lagos Government

    COVID-19: Why fully vaccinated residents may have to take more than two doses – Lagos Government

    The Lagos State Government has said that fully vaccinated residents may have to take extra doses of the COVID-19 doses as a safety precaution against the changing virus.

    This is was revealed by the Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi.

    He made the remark on Tuesday during a briefing in Ikeja, the state capital.

    “So we know that the vaccine is certainly protecting the population from severe disease and death. So the question is, as the virus is changing, it may require that we need to give you more than two doses,” the commissioner said.

    “You may require a booster which is the first, second and subsequent doses because we have also discovered that even though the vaccine stops you from getting seriously sick, it may not necessarily stop you from catching Covid.

    “We do know that some people even who are fully vaccinated with two doses will still catch Covid and some people will get quite sick and occasionally, some people may die. But certainly, the people that are dying who are not vaccinated are much higher than the people who are dying who have been vaccinated.

    Professor Abayomi explained that the state government plans to vaccinate 30 percent of Lagos residents by the end of the year.

    According to him, scientists around the world are toying with the idea that a third or fourth dose may be required.

    Meanwhile, the members of the Diplomatic Community in Lagos have scored the state government high on its COVID-19 response and management effort which have seen the nation’s commercial capital overcome three successive waves of the global pandemic.

    Speaking during a visit to Professor Abayomi, members of the Diplomatic communities agreed that the Lagos State Government has done a lot to mitigate the scourge of the infection while pledging to continue to offer support to the COVID19Lagos response directly and indirectly.

    In her remarks, the Consul General of France in Nigeria, Laurence Monmayrant said she is impressed by the biosecurity facilities that were put in place at IDH by the State Government to prosecute the war against the global pandemic.

    “I’m really impressed by what I have seen today, I enjoyed the visit because this is really something we’ve been looking at since the beginning of the pandemic, we’ve seen that Lagos State has done a lot,” she said.

    “But it is one thing to read and see it in the media report and it is another thing to come and see on the spot what is happening here, so it was a very interesting day here today.

    She harped on the need to ensure that more citizens are vaccinated as a way to mitigate the new wave of the pandemic.

  • COVID-19: NCDC reports 2 deaths, 290 additional infections Thursday

    COVID-19: NCDC reports 2 deaths, 290 additional infections Thursday

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) recorded two COVID-19 related deaths on Thursday, bringing the country’s fatality toll to 2,742.

    The NCDC made this known via its verified website on Friday, morning.

    The centre also reported 290 additional infections were recorded in 14 states and the FCT.

    The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), reports that the 290 fresh cases reported on Thursday , indicate a decline from the 297 cases posted on Tuesday in the country.

    The NCDC stated that the FCT ranked first on the log with 127 cases, followed by Lagos, the epicentre of the disease, with 45 cases while Kaduna in the North-west ranked third on the log with 28 cases.

    While South-southern states of Delta, Rivers, Edo and Akwa Ibom States recorded 18 cases, 10 cases, three cases and one case respectively, North-Central states of Kwara, Plateau and Nasarawa recorded 17 cases, 13 cases and four cases respectively.

    It added that Zamfara in the North-West recorded 10 cases; Imo in the South-East recorded six cases while Ekiti, Ondo and Oyo States in the South-West recorded five cases , three cases and one case respectively.

    The NCDC also noted that Sokoto reported that it recorded no fresh case.

    The agency added that the additional confirmed infections brings the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 207,210.

    It further added that 194,796 patients have been discharged, while 9,629 patients were the country’s active cases.

    The agency also noted that a multi-sectoral national Emergency Operations Centre, activated at Level II, continued to coordinate the national response activities.

    The NCDC said that 3,043,321 million people have been tested from the nation’s roughly 200 million population have been tested.

    It advised Nigerians to take prevention measures seriously because all the four COVID-19 variants of concern were circulating in Africa.

    “To stop the spread: washing hands, wearing a mask, avoid crowded places, keep a safe distance and keep space well ventilated,” it advised.

  • UK removes 47 countries, leaves seven on COVID-19 Travel ‘Red List’

    UK removes 47 countries, leaves seven on COVID-19 Travel ‘Red List’

    The UK government on Thursday announced a dramatic reduction to its coronavirus travel “red list”, scrapping bans on foreigners travelling to England from 47 countries.

    Under the new rules that come into effect from 0300 GMT on Monday October 11, only seven countries — Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela — will remain under the restrictions.

    Removal from the “red list” for the 47 countries and territories, including Brazil, Mexico and South Africa, means passengers will no longer be required to enter hotel quarantine.

    Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the move was possible because of “the increased vaccination efforts around the globe”.

    The government also announced it was extending inbound vaccinated arrivals to a further 37 countries and territories including India and Turkey.

    The new rules mean fully vaccinated individuals entering England from the 37 locations will be exempt from quarantine, a pre-departure test and a day-eight post-arrival test.

    British and Irish nationals and those living in the UK are allowed to travel from red list countries, but must quarantine in a hotel for 10 days on arrival.

    The UK government in London sets health and transport policy for England only. The devolved parliaments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland set the Covid travel policies for their regions.

    They have largely followed previous rule changes for England.

  • Nigeria not among countries on UK’s COVID-19 red list – FG

    Nigeria not among countries on UK’s COVID-19 red list – FG

    The Federal Government on Tuesday assured Nigerians that the country is not on the red list of nations required to isolate for 14 days on arrival in the United Kingdom (UK).

    It explained that even as Nigerians are required to isolate on arrival in the UK, British citizens are also required to isolate for seven days upon arrival in Nigeria.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that on October 4, the UK government released a list of 50 countries who will not be required to isolate on arrival in the UK, on presentation of their vaccination certificate. However, Nigeria was not listed among these countries.

    The Federal Government, however, noted that aside from the fact that no African country was listed, Nigeria’s vaccination certification programme status is yet to be comprehensively reviewed by the UK Government. Also, the vaccines administered in Nigeria are approved by the UK Government.

    Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Dr. Faisal Shuaib stated these yesterday during a joint COVID-19 vaccination briefing, alongside the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

    He said: “As at yesterday, the 4th of October 2021, Nigeria had vaccinated 4,963,985 eligible persons across the country with first dose of COVID-19 vaccines. This figure represents 4.4 per cent of the targeted 111,776,503 eligible population. About 2,166,186 people have received their second doses of the vaccines. This means that approximately 1.9 per cent of eligible population is now fully vaccinated against COVID-19. It is imperative to reiterate the fact that only those who have taken their second dose are fully protected against the deadly COVID-19.

    “I would like to comment on the UK Government’s statement, which was released yesterday. Nigeria’s status has not changed. Nigeria is not among the red listed countries that need to mandatory quarantine for 14 days in a supervised UK facility.

    “The statement released by the UK Government is in line with the press statement released last week that Nigerians will continue to isolate upon arrival to the UK. This is similar to our requirement to have travellers from the UK, isolate for seven days upon arrival in Nigeria.

    “The Presidential Steering Committee is in the process of reviewing these requirements. We have been in touch with the UK Government. Just like they stated clearly in their communication, the current listing of countries with approved vaccination certification has just started in the UK.

    “They are reviewing the country’s programmes in phases. If you go through the list of 50 closely, no African country made the list. The UK Government is yet to comprehensively review Nigeria’s vaccination certification programme. From my communication with the UK Government officials, the vaccines administered in Nigeria are approved by the UK Government. They are also involved with the vaccination programme in Nigeria through the Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), and they are optimistic that by the time Nigeria’s COVID-19 vaccination programme certification is assessed, it will be approved.

    “There are many countries in the world. So, we like many other countries are in the queue for this assessment. Once it gets to our turn, we are more likely than not to get approved in the coming weeks. Like the UK Government have clearly stated, the process of assessment would occur in phases.”

    He added: “I would like to inform you that yesterday evening, we received 501,600 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines from the COVAX facility as donation from the Government of France. We have also gotten confirmation that we will be receiving 3,577,860 doses of Pfizer vaccines within the next two weeks.

    “As part of our transparency process to Nigerians and the media, we would be providing you with figures of the adverse event following immunisation reported. In this phase of the vaccination process, 191 serious and 6,555 non-serious AEFI cases were reported. All cases reported were managed in the health facility and individuals have fully recovered and back to their normal daily living.

    “In the coming months, Nigeria will be receiving more doses of COVID-19 vaccines through COVAX facility. We anticipate that the vaccines will be quite large in amount, and therefore will require more efficient and faster ways of utilising them, including expanding access to the vaccines.

    “We have, therefore, started implementing the decentralisation of vaccine utilisation by involving the private sector in the vaccine administration. Currently, COVID-19 vaccines are available at government health facilities only. As we decentralise, private health facilities, who meet the set criteria, will be allocated COVID-19 vaccines, after due training of their immunisation service providers. Vaccinations in private health facility will continue with the help of government health officials.

    “Subsequently, clients will be able to access COVID-19 vaccines at both government and private health care facilities in the country. This will be done at different levels, which would include the states and local governments. We are taking every caution to ensure that when implemented, the decentralisation policy is not corrupted. Private health care facilities will be carefully selected based on transparent eligibility criteria, and supervision will be maximised to ensure discipline and compliance with safety measures. The goal, as I said is to expand access to COVID-19 vaccines and to ensure rapid and safe vaccine utilisation.”

  • JUST IN: Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ladi Williams dies of COVID-19

    JUST IN: Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ladi Williams dies of COVID-19

    Chief Ladi Williams, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and first son of late judiciary giant, Chief Rotimi Williams, has passed away at the age of 75.

    The late lawyer was said to have died Sunday morning at the Saint Nicholas Hospital in Lagos.

    According to reports he died from complications related to COVID-19.

    “Just received the sad news this morning of the death of Ladi Williams. He was the first child of Chief Rotimi Williams. Apparently he passed away this morning of Covid complications at St. Nicholas isolation hospital.

    “May the Lord rest the dearly departed”, the source said.

    However, one of Ladi’s son, Kunle Williams, confirmed the passing of the legal icon in his Facebook page, where he stated that his father died of COVID-19 despite taking the two jabs of the COVID-19 vaccine.

    He said, “my father passed away this morning from COVID-19 despite being double vaccinated Oxford AstraZeneca”.

  • Biden mourns 700,000 Americans lost to COVID-19

    Biden mourns 700,000 Americans lost to COVID-19

    U.S. President Joe Biden has mourned the about 700,000 Americans who lost their lives to COVID-19.

    Biden, in his twitter handle on Saturday night, said: “Today, we mark another grim and heartbreaking milestone in this pandemic: over 700,000 Americans lost.

    “As we acknowledge the tragic scale of this death toll, we must remember each person and the life they lived.’’

    The White House, also in a statement, described the 700,000 deaths to COVID-19 as a “painful milestone”.

    “To heal we must remember, and as our nation mourns the painful milestone of 700,000 American deaths due to COVID-19, we must not become numb to the sorrow.

    “On this day, and every day, we remember all those we have lost to this pandemic and we pray for their loved ones left behind who are missing a piece of their soul.

    “As we do, the astonishing death toll is yet another reminder of just how important it is to get vaccinated.

    “The vaccines are safe, free, and easy—and we have made extraordinary progress in our fight against COVID-19 over the last eight months because of the vaccines,’’ he said.

  • It’s sad people are playing politics with COVID-19 vaccination –Obaseki

    It’s sad people are playing politics with COVID-19 vaccination –Obaseki

    The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, says it is sad people are playing politics with COVID-19 vaccination.

    Obaseki made this known when he received the Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Prof Darlington Obaseki, who was on a courtesy visit to the Government House in Benin City.

    Emphasizing on the need for residents to get vaccinated and ensure compliance with safety protocols against COVID-19, Obaseki said, “I am saddened when I see people not protecting themselves against COVID-19. We are not making vaccination compulsory, but for now, it is the best way to protect yourselves and protect the people around you. It is so sad to see people making it a political issue.

    “Go to any of our isolation centres and see what is happening to people.”

    The governor gave the reassurance that his administration would sustain reforms in the health care sector to reposition Edo State as the country’s medical hub.

    “Our experience from the outbreak of coronavirus taught us something that the health care system in Edo is one. God forbid you fall ill or you have an emergency, it won’t matter where you are treated. At that point you don’t care if it is a federal, state, or religious institution, as long as you get cured,” the governor noted.

    Earlier, the UBTH CMD commended the governor for the support which the hospital management had enjoyed under his leadership.

     

  • Buhari, aides commence Covid-19 self-isolation after U.S. trip

    Buhari, aides commence Covid-19 self-isolation after U.S. trip

    President Muhammadu Buhari and aides who followed him to the U.S. to attend the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly has been in covid-19 quarantine since he returned to Nigeria on Sunday.

    This became known today after he was conspicuously absent at the Federal Executive Council meeting.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo presided over the meeting.

    “The quarantine will end tomorrow”, Media adviser Femi Adeshina told newsmen.

    Buhari similarly observed a five-day quarantine after he returned home from UK in mid August.

    The measure is in accordance with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) guidelines for international travel.

  • WHO appoints another Nigerian into COVID-19 Technical Advisory Group

    WHO appoints another Nigerian into COVID-19 Technical Advisory Group

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) has appointed a professor of virology, Oyewale Tomori, to serve as a member of its Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 vaccine composition.

    The WHO announced the appointment of Tomori, a former vice-chancellor of the Redeemer’s University, Ede, in a statement on Wednesday.

    The UN body said that Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 vaccine composition was an independent group of experts that would periodically review the evidence and analyse the implications of emerging variants of concerns on the performance of COVID-19 vaccines.

    “During those global consultations, the WHO and partners have noted the urgent needs for shared access to information, coordination and prioritisation, as well as joint action and supported the call for the development of a global risk monitoring and assessment framework.

    ”The group will elaborate o decision-making processes, trigger for such decision making, and stakeholder roles and responsibilities.

    “Following discussions, the Executive Director of WHO, recognises the need to establish Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition to make recommendations to WHO on the methods to assess the impact of the variants of concerns on vaccines,

    ”The director also recognises the need to provide interpretation of available evidence on the effect of variants of concerns on vaccines, including but not limited to vaccine effectiveness and recommend to WHO, for each COVID-19 vaccine platform, adaptations (if any) needed so that vaccines continue to safely provide WHO-recommended levels of protection against variants of concerns,” the statement partly reads.

    Some members of the group, are Dr Supamit Chunsuttiwat, who is an advisor, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health Thailand; Cheryl Cohen a professor in epidemiology at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.

    Others are a Professor Thomas Fleming, a member of the Scientific Steering Committee for the WHO Solidarity COVID-19 Vaccines Trial; David Goldblatt, a Professor of Vaccinology and Immunology as well as Dr Ziad Memish, a Senior Infectious Disease Consultant.

  • Tuchel responds to Kante’s positive test: Giving vaccine advice not my job

    Tuchel responds to Kante’s positive test: Giving vaccine advice not my job

    Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has insisted he is in no position to urge anyone to receive coronavirus vaccinations.

    Midfielder N’Golo Kante has tested positive for COVID-19 and entered self-isolation, meaning he will miss Chelsea’s UEFA Champions League clash at Juventus on Wednesday.

    Tuchel admitted he does not know the percentage of his Chelsea players who have been vaccinated, and insisted he is in no place to make public recommendations about vaccinations.

    “N’Golo unfortunately tested positive, and needs to have time and follow the Government protocols,” said Tuchel.

    “He was not in training today (Tuesday) and of course was not with the group. I don’t know the percentage of players vaccinated actually. It’s not even that I don’t want to tell you but I simply don’t know it.

    “And we are also only a reflection of society, the players are adults and it’s free choice if they want to get vaccinated or not. And I think we should accept it.”

    He pointed out that he could make the decision for himself, but everybody else needed to reflect about it and decide to take a risk or not to.

    “I think it’s a serious question and vaccination seems to be a proper protection. I am vaccinated, I took the decision for myself. But I don’t really see myself in a position to speak out proper recommendations, I think that would go too far.

    “I’m a football coach, I’m not a 100 per cent expert in this and I will leave it up to them. And everybody is adult enough and everybody lives in a free country and a free society, which is a good thing. So, people can make their choices.

    “Of course we take actions and then are responsible for them, and we don’t like to lose players. But we are not now angry with N’Golo. Of course not. We are concerned about him and worried about him, as we are with any injured players who get a kick in a game.”

    Chelsea must take on Juventus in Turin without Kante, and also the injured Christian Pulisic, Mason Mount and Reece James.

    Mount has lost his battle to shake off a knock in time for the trip to Italy, while James will be out for at least another week with ankle trouble.