TheNewsGuru

Tag: COVID-19

  • COVID-19 : RCCG lists new control measures in Redemption Camp

    COVID-19 : RCCG lists new control measures in Redemption Camp

    The Redeemed Christian Church of God(RCCG) has listed new control measures taken by the church authorities in response to the coronavirus crisis.

    In a statement signed by Pastor Olaitan Olubiyi, Head Media and Public Relations obtained by TheNewsGuru, the church outlined fresh precautionary steps taken to battle COVID-19.

    Read the statement below:

    “In continuation of the regular update to Camp Dwellers on measures being taken by the Church Authorities in response to COVID-19, we wish to call the attention of all to the following directives which take effect from midnight of Thursday March 26, 2020.

    *The main Gate is restricted to people with Camp Dwellers I.D card

    *All tricycles (Keke NAPEP) will be off the streets for 7 days.

    *The Health Centre and the Maternity Centre will remain opened to attend to emergencies.

    *The Canaan Market and all stalls are hereby shut for 7 days except for those selling food, water, pharmaceutical and allied items.

    *The Hospitality units shall suspend their services for the next 7 days

    *Construction activities in every part of the are hereby shut down

    *Anyone coming to the Camp for prayers/counselling, is advised to call any of the following Prayer lines:

    1. 0809 533 3525
    2. 0809 953 3478
    3. 0809 953 3479
    4. 0811 240 3518
    5. 0811 905 0799
    6. 08033440631
    7. 08101204546.

    It is expected that all Camp Dwellers will, as usual, co-operate with and assist the Security Personnel in their efforts to keep the Camp safe and healthy for all.

    The April 2020 Holy Communion Service will hold on Thursday, April 2, 2020 though each member is expected to prepare and take the Communion in their homes with our Daddy, Pastor E.A. Adeboye leading us in the service on the Dove tv and other plaforms of the Midsion. The April Holy Ghost Service will also be transmitted via the Dove tv and other media platforms of the Mission from 7 pm on April 3, 2020

    We will keep you abreast of developments as they unfold.

    Our Redeemer is strong.

    Pastor Olaitan Olubiyi

    Head, Media & Public Relations

    RCCG “

  • Our workforce not enough to battle COVID-19 – NMA Cries out

    Our workforce not enough to battle COVID-19 – NMA Cries out

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Anambra state has called on the governor of the state, Willie Obiano to recruit more medical personnel in the state to assist in battling the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

    It also demanded immediate procurement of Personal Protective Equipment at the various emergency operation centres in readiness for any outbreak in the state.

    Addressing newsmen on Friday in Onitsha, Chairman of the body, Dr. Emmanuel Monago further called on the government to consider shutting down all markets in the state as part of the measures to avert the pandemic.

    Monago who was represented by his Vice, Dr. Jide Onyekwelu applauded the government’s response to the scourge, describing it as well articulated and valid.

    He said, “We need staff, I don’t know the staff strength of doctors in the civil service, but I’m sure they are not many. If this disease comes in and attacks hundreds of people at once, it will quickly overwhelm the workforce.

    “It’s either they quickly recruit staff or make arrangements to engage doctors in private practice to assist.”

    He however pledged the readiness of the association to partner with the government in fighting the pandemic.

    He added, “We’re ready to collaborate with the government including encouraging our members to compliment the medical personnel of government. That’s why we commend the Civil Service Doctors in the state for calling off their one-month strike.

    “We’ve also advised our doctors to be at alert because doctors in private practice attend to more than 70percent of health needs of the people of the state.

    “We’ve told them not to wait for government to provide some basic materials, including masks and sanitizers, because once it enters the hospital, it will be catastrophic.

    “If you can’t afford the official ones, go for the improvised.

    While advising visitors to stay away from hospitals in the state, the NMA boss insisted that only sick persons and their attendants were allowed entry to the hospitals until the scourge receded.

    He also stressed the need for regular management meeting with the staff on the updates and challenges of the pandemic, just as he advised that consulting rooms should be well ventilated.

    “Do not visit hospitals unless you are sick. Only sick people or those attending to impatients and their attendants will be allowed entry to the hospitals. A notice board should be kept at the entrance to that effect.

    “All health facilities should have staff at the entrance of their hospitals to ensure that all persons entering the facility wash and or sanitize their hands before entrance and exit.

    “Have isolation room/ward where a suspected case will stay until contact is made with Anambra State Public Health Emergency Operation Centre on 08030953771 or 08117567363,” Monago noted.

  • Coronavirus-free Sierra Leone shuts borders after Guinea, Liberia announce closures

    Coronavirus-free Sierra Leone shuts borders after Guinea, Liberia announce closures

    Virus-free Sierra Leone on Friday announced closure of its borders for a 30-day period barely days after President Julius Maada Bio announced a state of public health emergency.

    According to reports, the measure was to keep out the coronavirus which has engulfed all of West Africa except for Sierra Leone. The country tested two cases which turned out to be negative.

    The border closures come in the wake of same action taken by neighbours Guinea and Liberia. Guinea president Alpha Conde declared a state of emergency on Friday also for 30-days over the virus.

    The closure will last for a renewable period of 30 days excepting cargo vehicles which will be limited to two apprentices and a driver. They’ll be subjected to a 14-day surveillance by both countries on entry and exit.

    All learning institutions and entertainment centers have been closed for 14 days, as have churches and mosques. All cultural events have been prohibited.

    Liberia is currently in a lockdown over the pandemic. The three countries were at the heart of the Ebola epidemic that killed thousands years ago.

    Despite being among 11 African countries that have not recorded any cases of the coronavirus, Sierra Leone president Julius Maada Bio on March, 24 imposed a twelve-month state of public health emergency.

    The brave move signifies that the country is not taken any chances with the pandemic which has affected all its neighbours in the region.

    Meanwhile, the Freetown International Airport, Sierra Leone’s main entry point via air witnessed a coronavirus related scuffle after passengers aboard a Kenya Airways flight refused necessary health protocols two weeks ago.

    One of the country’s experienced journalists Umaru Fofana reported the said flight had a that passengers aboard the flight had a suspected COVID-19 case leading to the decision to quarantine all the passengers. It is not known how authorities detected the case in question.

    “At least three passengers refused to be isolated saying they’d rather return to where they’d come from…,” Fofana said in a tweet.

    “Meanwhile passengers who’ve just arrived on an Air Peace flight from Nigeria have also been asked to be quarantined. They’ve refused, citing the (Sierra Leone) government policy which says only passengers from countries with up to 50 confirmed cases of coronavirus should be automatically quarantined,” he said in a follow up tweet.

    Sierra Leone remains one of a handful African countries yet to record a coronavirus case. But like all governments are doing, the presidency released a detailed statement that outlined directives crucially banning overseas travel for all government officials and urged members of the public to heed same.

    An initial statement had directed thus: “Public gatherings should not be attended by more than One Hundred (100) persons,” the second directive read. But a Ministerial team that visited the airport on Monday had urged passengers to adhere to health protocols.

    A statement from the president on the pandemic read: “I have directed the military to immediately deploy to our international airport and land crossing points in order to enhance security and support compliance with all public health directives advisories.”

  • BREAKING: Nigeria confirms more Coronavirus cases, toll jumps to 81

    BREAKING: Nigeria confirms more Coronavirus cases, toll jumps to 81

    Nigeria now has 81 confirmed cases of the coronavirus after 11 new cases were confirmed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) late Friday.

    For the first time, the disease showed up in the country’s south-east as two cases were confirmed in Enugu state.

    Lagos State, which has been described as the country’s hotspot, added eight cases, bringing the state’s total caseload to 52.

    One other case was recorded in Edo State.

    Earlier on Friday, the NCDC had reported the discovery of five new cases, three in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and two in Oyo state. No new case was reported in Lagos.

    But the last announcement on Friday further strengthens Lagos’ status as the country’s hotspot.

    In total, 16 new cases were confirmed on Friday.

  • WHO warns Nigeria: ‘Cut spread of Covid-19 now before it too late’

    WHO warns Nigeria: ‘Cut spread of Covid-19 now before it too late’

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned Nigeria to curb the spread of the novel Coronavirus disease in the country before it too late.

    “Speaking today from the WHO headquarters in Geneva, its Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, said Nigeria should seize the opportunity now that it has few cases to stop the virus from spreading by conducting enough testing, identifying those who test positive, isolating them and following up with contacts’ tracing.

    “He said those early measures would prevent the disease from growing from sporadic cases to a community transmission that may become harder to contain.

    “The problem starts when community transmission starts, when the number of cases builds, ” He said.

    “The Growing numbers of cases means the healthcare system will be overwhelmed, ” He added

  • BREAKING: Lagos may shutdown totally soon if… – Sanwo-Olu

    BREAKING: Lagos may shutdown totally soon if… – Sanwo-Olu

    Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Friday evening said the total shutdown of the state over outbreak of the deadly Coronavirus is imminent.

    He said once the state recorded a certain number of positive coronavirus cases, Lagos would be totally shutdown in a bid to save lives.

    The governor, at a live broadcast at the State House, Marina, to give update of the disease, said so far, Lagos had recorded 44 confirmed cases so far, while three people had been discharged.

    Details later…

  • COVID-19: Fayemi announces test result

    Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi has tested negative for Coronavirus.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the governor announced on Wednesday that he had given out his sample for test having come in contact with two people who tested positive for the virus.

    However, the governor, on his Facebook page said he just received the result of his test from the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, and that he tested negative.

    He called on Nigerians to continue to be vigilant, saying that Coronavirus was real and that no one should be complacent about it.

    “I just received my test result from NCDC and it is negative. Thanks to all for your concern. This, however, calls for continued vigilance on the part of everyone. Covid-19 is real and we cannot afford to be complacent,” he said.

  • 6 COVID-19 cases detected on oil rig – NPA

    6 COVID-19 cases detected on oil rig – NPA

    The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on Friday said it had got clarification on the six COVID-19 case found aboard a vessel, as announced by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

    Mr Adams Jatto, General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications of NPA, made the disclosure in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos.

    Jatto said that the NCDC had clarified that the cases were discovered on an oil rig, Siem Marlin, on the high sea, offshore Lagos, and accessed by the Lagos State Government and the NCDC by helicopter.

    In an update on the coronavirus situation in Nigeria on Thursday at 7.35p.m., NCDC had said that 14 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed, with two two Abuja, and 12 in Lagos.

    The NCDC had said that, of the 14, six were detected on a vessel, while three were returnees to Nigeria and one, a close contact of a confirmed case

    The NPA had, in a tweet, countered the NCDC’s claim as regards the six cases.

    The tweet read: “Hello @NCDCgov. In respect to the six cases detected on a vessel in Lagos, the authority, in collaboration with Port Health, has not recorded any confirmed cases to date.

    Jatto said on Friday: “Following public reactions and an attempt by the Nigerian Ports Authority to get full details of COVID-19 cases said to have been found on a vessel, the authority wishes to make the following clarifications:

    “The NPA, by its tweet on March 26, did not contradict the information released to the public by the National Centre for Disease Control. (NCDC).

    “What the tweet sought to do was to get full details of the incident for the purposes of record and better management in the future.

    “The tweet read thus: “Hello @NCDC. In respect to the six new cases that were detected on a vessel in Lagos, the authority in collaboration with Port Health has not recorded any confirmed cases to date.

    “To enable verification and proper record-keeping, kindly avail us with specific details of the vessel the passengers were on board and the terminal or jetty where it berthed,” he said.

    He said that NPA needed the clarification to reassure its stakeholders who raised concerns at the announcement of the six cases.

    He said that concerns were raised because shipping companies, terminal operators and jetty operators did not witness any such passengers through their respective COVID-19 protocols.

    Jatto said that NPA and Port Health Services had set clear protocols on the identification of sick people on vessels and the management of suspected and confirmed cases in line with best practices set by the International Maritime Organisation.

    According to Jatto, the protocols include that captain of any vessel with a sick person on board must fly two yellow flags.

    “This done, personnel of the Port Health Services would go into the vessel at berth and inspect it.”

    According to him, in cases where there is such a person on board, the personnel will quarantine the ship and immediately communicate to the Lagos State Ministry of Health.

    He added that the ministry would send an epidemiologist who would go on board with Port Health personnel, take samples from the sick person and report to the NCDC.

    He said that maritime stakeholders would not have been so apprehensive if it was clear that the six passengers were on a rig.

    “This clarification has renewed the confidence of stakeholders in the effectiveness of the processes put in place.

    “Given the fact that the maritime industry is central to the management of the pandemic worldwide, NPA is committed to working with all other agencies of government to ensure the safety of all Nigerians,” he said.

  • COVID-19: Sanwo-Olu rolls out economic stimulus for residents

    Few days after the Lagos State Government issued a stay-at-home directive to residents, in order to curtail the spread of the novel coronavirus, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has unveiled economic stimulus package for the indigent and the most vulnerable in the society.

    The stimulus, which comes in food packs, to be distributed to every local government in the State is aimed at cushioning the effect of the fourteen days stay-at-home directive.

    Speaking after an on-the-spot assessment of one of the State-owned food banks, located inside the premises of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives in Agege, Sanwo-Olu said the economic stimulus will reduce the burden of the temporary economic downturn on the citizens caused by the outbreak of COVID-19.

    The Governor said the food packs, which were put together by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives will reach the most vulnerable communities and households across Lagos, saying that the indigents who rely on daily wages will be given priority.

    He said: ‘‘We are here for an on-the-spot assessment, of our readiness, to see how we can fast track some of our stimulus package for our citizens. We are all aware that this is a trying time for our citizens and since the partial drop in economic activities, our government deemed it necessary to reach out to the vulnerable ones in the society. These people are those that fall below the pyramid, the aged and the physically challenged who need to move from one part of the city to another for them to have a living. We felt that as a government, the least we can do is to identify them and give them these stimulus packages immediately.’’

    The Governor stated that the package will touch at least 200,000 thousand households in the first phase, saying the food packs are produced for a size of six people per household and would last for at least fourteen days.

    “We have packaged dry food stimulus for about two hundred thousand families in the first instance for a household of husband, wife and about four children. We would be giving bags of rice, bags of beans, garri, bread, dry pepper and we are trying to see if we can add water and some elements of vitamin C. Each ration, we believe is going to be able to last them at least minimum 14 days just so our advocacy around stay at home, stay with your loved ones will be respected.

    “This is a catalytic initiative of our administration with the hope that well-meaning corporate organisations and private individuals can step up to complement the efforts of the government’’ Sanwo-Olu said.

    The Commissioner of Agriculture, Prince Gbolahan Lawal earlier said the Government would be working with the existing database of the state – using the Lagos State Social register and 4000 community development association register in 377 wards.

    He said the economic stimulus is part of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration’s initiatives tailored towards ensuring that food security is sustained in Lagos.

  • 6 COVID-19 cases detected on oil rig – NPA

    6 COVID-19 cases detected on oil rig – NPA

    The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on Friday said it had got clarification on the six COVID-19 case found aboard a vessel, as announced by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

    Mr Adams Jatto, General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications of NPA, made the disclosure in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos.

    Jatto said that the NCDC had clarified that the cases were discovered on an oil rig, Siem Marlin, on the high sea, offshore Lagos, and accessed by the Lagos State Government and the NCDC by helicopter.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in an update on the coronavirus situation in Nigeria on Thursday at 7.35p.m., NCDC had said that 14 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed, with two two Abuja, and 12 in Lagos.

    The NCDC had said that, of the 14, six were detected on a vessel, while three were returnees to Nigeria and one, a close contact of a confirmed case

    The NPA had, in a tweet, countered the NCDC’s claim as regards the six cases.

    The tweet read: “Hello @NCDCgov. In respect to the six cases detected on a vessel in Lagos, the authority, in collaboration with Port Health, has not recorded any confirmed cases to date.

    Jatto said on Friday: “Following public reactions and an attempt by the Nigerian Ports Authority to get full details of COVID-19 cases said to have been found on a vessel, the authority wishes to make the following clarifications:

    “The NPA, by its tweet on March 26, did not contradict the information released to the public by the National Centre for Disease Control. (NCDC).

    “What the tweet sought to do was to get full details of the incident for the purposes of record and better management in the future.

    “The tweet read thus: “Hello @NCDC. In respect to the six new cases that were detected on a vessel in Lagos, the authority in collaboration with Port Health has not recorded any confirmed cases to date.

    “To enable verification and proper record-keeping, kindly avail us with specific details of the vessel the passengers were on board and the terminal or jetty where it berthed,” he said.

    He said that NPA needed the clarification to reassure its stakeholders who raised concerns at the announcement of the six cases.

    He said that concerns were raised because shipping companies, terminal operators and jetty operators did not witness any such passengers through their respective COVID-19 protocols.

    Jatto said that NPA and Port Health Services had set clear protocols on the identification of sick people on vessels and the management of suspected and confirmed cases in line with best practices set by the International Maritime Organisation.

    According to Jatto, the protocols include that captain of any vessel with a sick person on board must fly two yellow flags.

    “This done, personnel of the Port Health Services would go into the vessel at berth and inspect it.”

    According to him, in cases where there is such a person on board, the personnel will quarantine the ship and immediately communicate to the Lagos State Ministry of Health.

    He added that the ministry would send an epidemiologist who would go on board with Port Health personnel, take samples from the sick person and report to the NCDC.

    He said that maritime stakeholders would not have been so apprehensive if it was clear that the six passengers were on a rig.

    “This clarification has renewed the confidence of stakeholders in the effectiveness of the processes put in place.

    “Given the fact that the maritime industry is central to the management of the pandemic worldwide, NPA is committed to working with all other agencies of government to ensure the safety of all Nigerians,” he said.