Tag: COVID-19

  • COVID-19: First Bank staff, Indian, three others under quarantine in Ebonyi

    ALSO READ: Coronavirus will vanish March 27′: Nigerians mock T.B. Joshua as Covid-19 kills more on prophecy’s expiry date

    Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi had said that five persons are under self-observation in the state.

    Among the five is an Indian who arrived the country recently and staff of First Bank who had contact with a returnee.

    The Governor stated this while briefing Journalists on recent developments in the state on the Coronavirus outbreak.

    He said that 4 persons(including the Indian) came into the state from different countries that have an outbreak of the Coronavirus while one person was said to have had contact with a returnee.

    He said that the Indian citizens are a staff of Royal salt Ikwo.

    Hé said the staff of First Bank in Abakaliki visited his mother in Anambra, who just came back from one of the countries with the outbreak.

    He, however, said there is no cause for alarm as the self-isolation is precautionary adding that all the 5 persons are doing fine.

    “We send health personnel to check their vitals everyday and so far they are not showing any symptoms. The Indian also has a nurse staying with him and monitoring him, so far his vitals are normal”, he said

    He revealed that he has directed the Ezza South and Ikwo Council Chairmen to liase with security agencies and ensure the immediate arrest of families that conducted burial in the state yesterday.

    He said that the arrest would serve as a deterrent to other families that would disobey government order.

    It would be recalled that the State government had last week Monday gave a directive banning burial, wedding ceremonies, conferences and other social activities in the state.

    Governor Umahi who expressed his displeasure by the disobedience to the directive insisted that all those behind the conduct of the burial no matter how highly placed must be arrested.

    The State Governor also ordered for the immediate arrest of the mortuary attendant at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo who released the corpse to the family for burial.

    Governor Umahi ordered the 13 council Chairmen alongside Development Center Coordinators to move round the rural communities and all the nooks and crannies of the state to ensure that no burial or wedding is conducted in the state on Saturday.
    He warned that he would not hesitate to sanction anyone that allows or compromise to the directive adding that there must concerted effort by all to ensure that the state does not with an outbreak of the virus in the state.

    The State Governor also said that from Saturday, it would take over some hotels in the state to enable the health workers reside there for optimum productivity adding that government would pay all accrued bills generated while the period last.

    He further pointed out that all the staff of the hotel that would be taken over by the state government would be relieved of their duty while the health workers would employ cleaners and ensure that the hotels are fumigated.

    Similarly, Governor Umahi has disclosed that about 5 persons are currently on self isolation in the state.

    Reacting to the stoppage of release of corpse to families for burial, the Chief Medical Director, Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Dr. Emeka Ogah said that the hospital management has directed that no corpse should be released to anyone except as directed by the Governor.

  • Like a Thief in the Night, By Udeme Nana

    Like a Thief in the Night, By Udeme Nana

    By Udeme Nana

    Several accounts have it that the genie escaped in an animal market in Wuhan, China and conspiracy theorists are debating whether it was an accidental discharge of a biological weapon. Some argue that it was deliberately released by China to show its new found super power muscles as proof to the United States of America that its time as the world’s superpower is past.

    Its origin is still shrouded in mystery as both the President of the United States and officials in China are finger pointing at one another.However , whichever country between China and the United States of America released this dangerous genie on the world , the latest global pandemic, COVID – 19 , short form for corona virus disease 19 arrived subtly like a practiced thief in the night and moved into Iran, Israel, Great Britain, South Korea, Canada, Spain, Nigeria and has devastated Italy mostly – causing deaths, pain, sorrow and tears.Italians are knocked down and are dazed at the tragic blows inflicted by the raging pandemic.

    COVID – 19 just struck, met the world pants down and like an angel of death is flying in the air and moving steadily on land and seas wreaking havoc, spreading fear and imposing a new social etiquette among humankind. This is not the first plague that has hit the world badly . It might not be the last!

    Historical accounts are filled with stories of deadly cataclysms which affected and killed a large population of people, destroying civilizations in the process.Christian adherents would readily remember accounts of the ten plagues in the Egypt of the legendary pharaohs.There was the plague of Athens which “people in good health were suddenly attacked by violent heats in the head, redness and inflammation in the eyes , the inward parts , the throat and tongue, becoming bloody and emitting an unnatural and fetid breath”.

    There was the small pox pandemic which killed “over five million people in the Roman Empire”. As if that wasn’t gloomy enough, it has been reported that the “plague of Cyprian also killed 5, 000 daily in Rome”.Once again, Italy , which has Rome, the eternal city as its capital, is the worst hit by COVID – 19. What is it with Italy and devastating plagues, one may ask ? Does the world still have credible Astrologers and metaphysicists to pore over this re – occurrence?

    History has also recorded the black death ; please let us call COVID 19 – the white death – that would be fair enough because so far , the black population appears to have yielded less casualties whereas the white population has received the worst hit !

    There was the Asian flu and in very recent memory, the swine flu and Ebola disease. COVID – 19 seems to be so impactful because the world is now a global village.Folks now tune in , watch, see and listen to what is going on in several parts of the world as events unfold in real time.

    It is, however, unfortunate that each time challenges like the world is presently facing explodes, people become confused and become exasperated when they should have been prepared for it.Corona virus disease did not fall from the sky. It was written about in black and white.Even the Bible has made allusions to it alongside other plagues.

    It has beaten the world black and blue and disrupted the world economy, sports , entertainment, travel, tourism and business because most citizens of the world no longer place premium on reading serious texts.
    This is a tragedy which Dean Koontz predicted accurately in his book ” The Eyes of Darkness” published in 1981 !.On page 312 of that book , he wrote “In around 2020, a severe pneumonia – like illness will spread throughout the globe , attacking the lungs and the bronchial tubes and resisting all known treatments” Another author, Sylvia Browne also captured that in her book “End of Years – predictions and prophecies about the end of the world”.

    Much earlier in time , specifically in 1551, Nostradamus had written that “there will be a twin year from which will arise a queen who will come from the East and who will spread a plague in the darkness of night on a country with seven hills and will transform the twilight of men into dust to destroy and ruin the world”.How spot on he was !
    This columnist is cocksure that non of our leaders has read the book ” Unrestricted Warfare : China’s Master plan to Destroy America” written by two Chinese Army officers , Colonels Qiao Liang and Wang Xiangsui.This pandemic is all laid out there.

    If the present world had readers as leaders, these warnings would not have been lost on them and COVID – 19 , the white death would not have caught the world community napping like a thief in the night.

    Regrettably, nowadays, the best place to hide any treasure from the prying eyes of leaders, parents and youths is inside a good book.It is as easy as that ! Ask the person next to you which book he or she has read in the past three months and chances are that you would draw blank.

    Methinks , COVID – 19 or the white death is a serious shock therapy, a reality check. It is tasking the world to return to the basics; to become more alert , encourage scientists and qualitative education generally besides motivating scientists to focus on finding solutions to scenarios which are likely to threaten existence on Earth. Humankind may be pawns in the fingertips of unseen powers but the human race is imbued with the sensibility to push back and mitigate life exterminating circumstances caused by their mistakes or deliberate commissions.

    Let the world return to intellectualism , research, development , prevention of crisis , co – operation and collaboration for good causes.

    Let the world reduce the craze for materialism, unmitigated competition, acquisition of power for the sake of just wielding power, a laissez faire attitude and hypocritical religiosity.

  • COVID-19: Kogi closes company, places Chinese workers on compulsory isolation

    COVID-19: Kogi closes company, places Chinese workers on compulsory isolation

    Kogi State government on Friday directed immediate closure of a ceramic tiles manufacturing company in Ajaokuta as part of measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the state.

    The state Commissioner for information and communication, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, said this in a statement in Lokoja.

    According to him, government has also commenced monitoring the health status of the Chinese and other nationals working in the company.

    ”They have been placed on compulsory isolation,” Fanwo said in the statement.

    The statement, however, urged residents not to panic, but maintain simple hygiene and obey the stay at home order as already directed by the government.

    Fanwo said that markets, schools and some government offices would remain closed, while social and religious gatherings were suspended till further notice.

  • Death toll from Lassa fever outbreak hits 193

    Death toll from Lassa fever outbreak hits 193

    The death toll from the Lassa fean outbreak of Lassa fever has risen to 173, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said.

    The NCDC said that this represents a Case Fatality Rate (CFR), of 18.9 per cent.

    Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director-General of NCDC, told News Agency of Nigeria, on Friday in Abuja, while giving an update on the Lassa fever outbreak that amidst the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the country, the agency has continued to manage a national Lassa fever outbreak.

    He said that in week 12, the number of new confirmed cases decreased from 51 cases in week 11, to 28 cases.

    The NCDC DG said that these were reported case in 12 states, Edo, Ondo, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Taraba, Plateau, Kogi, Abia, Enugu, FCT, Benue and Gombe.

    “This is cumulatively from week one to week 12., 173 deaths have been reported with CFR of 18.9 per cent which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2019 with 22.9 per cent.

    “In total for 2020, 27 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 125 Local Government Areas.

    “Of all confirmed cases, 72 per cent are from three states, which are Edo,with 33 per cent, Ondo with 32 per cent and Ebonyi with seven per cent.

    “The predominant age-group affected is 21 to 30 years, range: from one to 78 years, Median Age: 33 years. The male to female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:1.2,” he explained.

    Ihekweazu said that the number of suspected cases had significantly increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2019.

    ”With joy that there were no healthcare workers affected in the reporting week 12,” he said.

    The NCDC DG said the National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) had been activated to coordinate response activities across states.

    “Of the states with confirmed cases, eight of them have activated state- level EOCs

    National Rapid Response Teams have been deployed from NCDC to support response activities in 10 States.

    “Surge staff Doctors, Nurses, Laboratorians and Hygienist, are deployed to ISTH and FMC Owo. And also State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre activated in affected States,” he said.

    According to him, the five molecular laboratories for Lassa fever testing in the NCDC network are working full capacity to ensure that all samples are tested and results provided within the shortest turnaround time

    He said that NCDC was working to support every state in Nigeria to identify one treatment centre, while supporting existing ones with care, treatment and IPC commodities.

    Ihekweazu said that the risk communications and community engagement activities have been scaled up across states using television, radio, print, social media and other strategies.

    He, however added that there was an Implementation of Lassa fever Environmental response campaign in high burden states by Federal Ministry of Environment.

    Ihekweazu stressed that Lassa fever is a disease spread to humans through food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faeces.

    “In 80 per cent of cases, the fever is asymptomatic, but for some, the symptoms include high fever, headache, mouth ulcers, muscle aches, haemorrhaging under the skin and heart and kidney failure.

    “It has an incubation period of between six and 21 days and can be transmitted through contact with an infected person via bodily fluids and excretion.

    He advised Nigerians on a more effective personal hygiene, storing grain and other foodstuffs in rodent-proof containers, and disposing of garbage far from their homes to help sustain clean households.

  • What NCC is doing to support stakeholders’ efforts to deal with COVID-19

    As the COVID-19, better known as Coronavirus, continues to ravage the global community, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), as the telecommunications industry regulator, has put in place measures to support initiatives by other stakeholders to curtail this scourge.

    The Commission, in conjunction with industry players and all other government agencies, has agreed to reduce the frequency of physical meetings all through the period of the Coronavirus outbreak and considered alternative electronic meeting platforms, in order to reduce person-to-person contact that may arise from travels or meetings.

    Departments within the Commission that interface with customers have developed e-platforms where all licensing requests, consumer complaints and base transceiver station (BTS) investigation requests could be channeled or provide designated e-mail addresses to be used for such requests throughout the pandemic period.

    The Commission has also approved resource sharing by operators throughout the period of coronavirus. These include fibre optics cables and other resources in the event of cable cuts and other unforeseen developments during the period of coronavirus outbreak.

    The Commission has also directed Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to ensure that their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes are in tandem with government initiatives to curtail the COVID-19 pandemic in order to provide safety and support aid materials that will protect the public against Coronavirus.

    All social and official visits to the Commission have been cancelled immediately and visitors advised to use relevant online platforms and or telephone services in accessing the Commission’s services.

    For those who may be affected, the Commission implores them to take advantage of the Emergency Communications Centres (ECCs) by dialing the toll-free number 112.

    The NCC supports Right of Passage (RoP) for all telecommunications members for easy movement in the event of a total lockdown and or restriction of movement.

    The regulator is also in support of RoP for suppliers that are involved in supplies of fuels, foods and other support services to telecom operators, to allow for free movement in the event of partial or total lockdown as a result of the coronavirus.

    The Commission is in touch with Law Enforcement Agencies to constantly protect telecom infrastructure nationwide. The NCC will come out from time to time with enlightenment information on the dangers of the virus so that consumers can be guided accordingly.

  • COVID-19: Lai Mohammed, Ehanire, Aregbesola, others test negative

    COVID-19: Lai Mohammed, Ehanire, Aregbesola, others test negative

    There was a sigh of relief on Thursday in Abuja as most members of President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet tested negative to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

    The positive status of the Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari, who is the coordinator of government activities created fright in government circles of a possible high-rate of infection of the cabinet members and governors.

    But it was a thing of joy in the early hours when the tests conducted on most of the ministers were negative.

    Although some results were still being awaited as of press time on Thursday, some of those whose results were released are members of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, including the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, who had gone into self-isolation ahead of the results.

    There were signs that some members of the PTF might occasionally come out of isolation to attend to urgent issues on COVID-19.

    Those given clean bill of health are: Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha; Dr. Ehanire; Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola; Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika; Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed and Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Services Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouk.

    Others are Finance Minister Mrs. Zainab Ahmed; her Minister of State Clem Agba; Education Minister Adamu Adamu; Environment Minister Mohammed Mahmoud; Others are the Minister of FCT, Mohammed Bello; the Minster of State for Mines and Steel, Mr. Uche Ogah; and the Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Ramatu Aliyu.

    Other members of the SGF-led presidential taskforce on COVID whose tests turned out negative are the Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Yusuf Bichi; the Director-General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control; Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu; and the World Health Organisation Country Representative, Wondimagegnehu Alemu.

    A top source said: “All members of the PTF tested negative to COVID-19. At least, we now know the status of those managing this crisis for us.”

    A minister, who spoke in confidence, said: “It was harrowing in the last 48 hours awaiting the results. I, members of my family and my aides had been in suspense.

    “We were expected to receive the results on Wednesday but we were not notified until the early hours of Thursday.

    “It was traumatic but it was worth it at the end of the day. The fear is not about whether positive or negative but the stigmatisation.

    “The tension was more profound when we were given our results individually. No minister could ask his or her colleague the outcome of the test.”

     

    The Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Ramatu Aliyu, said via a tweet: “I’m glad to inform all my family and friends, including the good people of the FCT at large that I have tested *negative* to COVID-19. I thank Almighty Allah for good health and his infinite grace in these trying times.

    “I want to implore you all to take all possible precautions not just for yourself but also for your loved ones. Please avoid getting panicked. As a nation, we shall come out of this stronger and better”.

    Responding to a question at a news briefing yesterday, the Minister of Information and Culture, said, “Yes, I did the test and early this morning (Thursday), I got the result and it came out negative.

    “Every member of the Presidential Task Force(PTF) submitted himself or herself to the test. I am not at liberty to tell you the results of anyone

    “We were tested at home. You can be tested within three to five minutes.”

    But Mohammed was put to task on why the ministers, who were negative, had not gone into isolation.

    He said:”Given the nature of the assignment before the PTF, we cannot abdicate our responsibility.

    “We have taken measures on how to go about our duty such as teleconferencing. We came out of self-isolation because we have a huge task at hand.

    “We will, as when necessary, come out of isolation, not because we have tested negative, but because we cannot abdicate our responsibility and just disappear.

    “We are going to adhere strictly to the regulations on hygiene, social distancing, and other preventive measures.”

     

  • Coronavirus can be sexually transmitted- Health minister

    Coronavirus can be sexually transmitted- Health minister

     

    Osagie Ehanire, minister of health, says he believes that coronavirus can be transmitted sexually.

    Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Ehanire noted that the country now has 51 cases of the COVID-19 disease.

    “If a person is positive, the virus can be transmitted sexually,” he stated.

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) says a lot is still unknown about the virus but currently maintains that it is transmitted through droplets from an infected person.

    The virus’ known routes of transmission are the mouth, nose and eyes.

    Health experts have also posited that there is no evidence to show that the virus can be transmitted via vaginal or anal intercourse but that it can be transmitted through kissing an infected person.

    Ehanire said the ministry was grading the coronavirus cases that were presented before it to avoid its facilities being overcrowded.

    He said the confirmed cases were in four categories and that about 80 percent who tested positive do not display the symptoms.

    He said severe cases that require oxygen support and ventilators will be taken to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja, assuring that all cases would be well taken care of.

    “We are grading our cases very carefully, that’s why we don’t have overcrowding yet, depending on the severity of the case; otherwise, one isolation centre will be filled up if we mix all the cases together,” he said.

    “We have four categories as regards coronavirus response and treatment. It has been established that, in most cases, 80 percent of people who tested positive to the virus don’t display symptoms.

     

    “However, the four categories are; no symptom category, mild symptoms category, moderate symptom category and severe symptoms category, which most times, require oxygen or ventilator for treatment of such patient. But so far, we have not had any such cases in Nigeria.

    “It’s patients that are on severe symptoms category that are referred to isolation centre at University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada, Abuja or elsewhere in the country.

    “We have graded the cases and that was why UATH or other isolation centres are not crowded. Other categories are kept at facilities where they are given adequate treatment.”

    On reports about the presidential aide that tested positive to the virus, he replied: “He is receiving treatment at a secured government facility somewhere in Nigeria. He is not in any of the known isolation centres because he is not in the fourth category.”

    He also said the government may introduce more measures towards curbing the spread of the virus if the need arises.

    He called on Nigerians to report cases of people who just got back to the country from high index countries and urged them to also practise social distancing.

     

  • COVID-19: Nigeria records first case in sports as Olopade tests positive

    COVID-19: Nigeria records first case in sports as Olopade tests positive

    A former Ogun State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Hon. Bukola Olopade, said he has tested positive for Coronavirus.

    Olopade is the MD of Nilayo Sports Management Company, an organization known for organising marathons in cities across Nigeria.

    The former Commissioner, who is currently in Lagos, disclosed his Coronavirus status in a video he released on social media, Thursday.

    Three days ago, Olopade said that he has self-isolated himself for five days, saying he developed two of the Coronavirus symptoms.

    He disclosed that he had been tested and the result was being awaited as at then.

    On Thursday, Olopade released another video saying he tested positive to the virus.

    However, he said he was strong and healthy, with no serious symptoms.

    He explained that being tested positive is not a death sentence, expressing optimism that he would come out stronger in few days.

    The Abeokuta indigene appealed to all Nigerians to take government warnings and precautions on COVID-19 seriously, saying the disease is real.

  • Kaduna SUBEB suspends bidding over Coronavirus lockdown

    Kaduna SUBEB suspends bidding over Coronavirus lockdown

    The Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has suspended the collection and opening of bids for the execution of 2017 and 2018 Universal Basic Education (UBE) Intervention Projects earlier scheduled for March 31.

    The Executive Chairman of the board, Abdullahi Sani said in a statement in Kaduna on Thursday, that the decision followed the quarantine order issued by the state government, to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).

    Sani explained that the board had advertised bids for the execution of the projects in the national dailies on March 4, 2020.

    He added that the deadline for the submission and public opening of the bids was earlier scheduled to hold on the March 31, but had to be postponed in compliance with the quarantine order.

    “The government had explained that the imposition of the curfew throughout the state became necessary following the noncompliance of certain measures that were earlier put in place to stop the spread of the deadly virus.

    “Therefore, all prospective bidders are advised to suspend submissions until further notice. The board regrets any inconveniences this change might have caused,” the chairman said.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the projects to be executed includes the construction of 416 classrooms and rehabilitation of 718 others.

    Others are construction of 43 ECCDE Games Village and the procurement of 54 mattresses, as well as TV, DVDs, generator and toys for 65 ECCDE classes.

    Contracts would also be awarded for the construction of 14 2-cubicle VIP toilets, 60 boreholes, and the supply of 29,758 teachers and pupil’s furniture.

    Other projects include sports and agricultural development.

  • Corona Watch 7: COVID-19 Tell-Tale Signs

    Corona Watch 7: COVID-19 Tell-Tale Signs

    A medical Doctor shared a day-to-day body condition of persons with COVID-19 infection. While watching for these signs, it is always best to call your doctor or the NCDC toll-free lines at the earliest signs. Please avoid going to the hospital with these signs else you will infect others there. Call ahead.

     

    Days 1 – 3:

    1. Symptoms almost similar to common cold
    2. Slight sore throat
    3. No fever, no tiredness, normal appetite

     

    Day 4:

    1. Slight sore throat, body ache
    2. Hoarse voice
    3. Body temperature around 36.5 degrees Centigrade
    4. Slight loss in appetite
    5. Slight headache
    6. Minor diarrhea or indigestion

     

    Day 5:

    1. Sore throat, hoarse voice
    2. Slight fever, between 36.5 & 36.7 degrees Centigrade
    3. Body weakness, joint pains

     

    Day 6:

    1. Slight fever, around 37 degrees Centigrade
    2. Cough accompanied by mucus or dry cough
    3. Sore throat when eating, talking, or swallowing
    4. Fatigue, nausea
    5. Occasional breathing difficulty
    6. Pain in fingers
    7. Diarrhea, vomit

     

    Day 7:

    1. Fever higher, between 37.4 – 37.8 degrees Centigrade
    2. Cough with sputum
    3. Body ache and headache
    4. Diarrhea more severe
    5. Vomit

     

    Day 8:

    1. Fever of 38 degrees Centigrade and higher
    2. Breathing difficulties, chest heavy
    3. Continuous cough
    4. Headache, joint pains and hip pains

     

    Day 9:

    1. Symptoms worsen
    2. Fever higher
    3. Cough more persistent, more severe
    4. Breathing difficult and laborious

     

    At this time, blood tests and X-ray examinations of the lungs are required.

     

    Prevention Better Than Cure

    In some asymptomatic cases, the infected shows no signs yet is infecting others daily. It is best to

    • Self Isolate If You Have Travelled Recently Or Been In Contact With Someone Who Tested Positive
    • Stay Home
    • Practice Social Distancing
    • Wash Hands With Soap Under Running Water
    • Wear A Mask (If Coughing)
    • No Crowds
    • No Trips

    The virus doesn’t travel, it is humans that transmit the virus to others.

     

    National Centre for Disease Control:

    Call: 0800 9700 0010 (toll-free call centre)

    Whatsapp: +234 708 711 0839

    SMS Number +234 809 955 5577

    Info@ncdc.gov.ng

    Facebook: @NCDCgov

    Twitter: @NCDCgov

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