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Tag: NCDC

  • Coronavirus spreads more in Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, 18 other states

    Coronavirus spreads more in Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, 18 other states

    Nigeria’s tally of confirmed COVID-19 cases rose to 20, 919 on Monday as 675 new infections were announced by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

    Seven deaths were recorded from the virus on Monday, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths from the virus to 525.

    There was an increase in the number of confirmed cases reported Monday evening compared to what was reported on Sunday, 436.

    The health agency in a tweet Monday evening said the new cases were reported in 21 states.

    These are Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, Delta, Ebonyi, Gombe, Ondo, Kaduna, Kwara, Ogun, Federal Capital Territory ( FCT), Edo, Abia, Nasarawa, Imo, Bayelsa, Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, Bauchi and Plateau.

    All the reporting states already had at least a case of the virus.

    As of Monday, 35 states and the FCT have recorded at least a case of the disease. Only one state, Cross River, is yet to report any case of the virus.

    The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Chikwe Ihekweazu, on Monday, said all states in the country had cases of the disease, suggesting Cross River was not free of it as the state government claims.

    Lagos recorded the highest daily figure of the infection on Monday, and remains the epicentre for the disease in the country.

    According to NCDC, on June 22, 675 new confirmed cases and 7 deaths were recorded in Nigeria

    The 675 new cases are reported from 21 states- Lagos – 288, Oyo – 76, Rivers – 56, Delta – 31, Ebonyi – 30, Gombe – 28, Ondo – 20 Kaduna – 20, Kwara – 20, Ogun – 17, FCT – 16, Edo – 13, Abia – 10,/Nasarawa – 9, Imo – 9, Bayelsa – 8, Borno – 8, Katsina – 8, Sokoto – 3, Bauchi – 3 and Plateau – 2

    NCDC said “till date, 20919 cases have been confirmed, 7109 cases have been discharged and 525 deaths have been recorded in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory.”

  • SERAP drags Nigeria’s Health Ministry, NCDC to court over COVID-19 funds

    SERAP drags Nigeria’s Health Ministry, NCDC to court over COVID-19 funds

  • BREAKING: Delta records highest COVID-19 cases in single day

    BREAKING: Delta records highest COVID-19 cases in single day

    Delta State has recorded the highest number of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in a single day.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed 83 COVID-19 cases for the State on Saturday.

    The development brings the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the State to 501.

    The State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa had earlier said the level of infection was on the rise due to the lackadaisical attitude of people who erroneously believe that the pandemic was a fluke.

    The Governor lamented that COVID-19 treatment centres in the State were already full of patients, emphasising that caution was needed to manage the alarming rate of infection and transmission.

    While speaking on Friday with Government House Correspondents on the level of infection of the dreaded disease in the State and other parts of the country, Okowa urged Deltans and other residents of the State to always observe all precautionary measures against COVID-19 in order to checkmate community transmission.

    He further stressed that the rising cases were due to community transmission and failure of people to observe prescribed protocols such as wearing of face mask in public places, social and physical distancing and other measures to keep the virus in check.

    He advocated the need for everybody to be at alert as the level of immunity of people differs, pointing out that those with symptoms of the disease should go to the hospital for treatment before they become a big risk to their family members, friends and colleagues.

    While saying that his administration would do everything possible to manage the situation, Governor Okowa appealed to residents of the state to avoid large congregation of people so as to mitigate the spread of the disease.

    “I want to plead with all Deltans that it is time for us to realise that there is community transmission of the disease which can affect anybody if adequate care was not taken,” Okowa said.

    The governor expressed worry that some states in the country would surpass the figures recorded in Lagos State due to the failure of most Nigerians to comply with all the laid down rules.

    Governor Okowa opined that the dreaded COVID-19 could only be eliminated with behavioural change of the entire citizens of the country.

    TNG reports that NCDC confirmed 661 cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria on Saturday.

    Lagos recorded 230, Rivers-127, FCT-60, Oyo-51, Edo-31, Bayelsa-27, Kaduna-25, Plateau-13, Ondo-6, Nasarawa-3, Ekiti-2, Kano-2, and Borno-1.

    There are now 19,808 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country; 6,718 discharged with 506 deaths.

  • Coronavirus scare: NCDC abandons old office, relocates to new headquarters

    Coronavirus scare: NCDC abandons old office, relocates to new headquarters

    The Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has resumed after temporary shut down of the commission’s corporate headquarters following coronavirus scare.

    The committee, however, relocated from the old 167 Aba Road office of the commission to the new permanent corporate headquarters of the NDDC.

    The Acting Managing Director of NDDC, Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei, said the relocation would place the commission on a better pedestal to deliver on its core mandate.

    A statement by the commission’s Director, Corporate Affairs, Charles Odili, said Pondei spoke after resuming work at the new headquarters along with the Executive Director. Projects, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh.

    Pondei insisted the movement would ensure improvement in the services rendered by NDDC, as they would be more automated, digitalised and professional.

    He assured the 13-floor permanent headquarters would be completed and commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari in the very near future.

    He said: “It is a privilege to be here with the IMC. It would not have been possible without the effort of President Buhari and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

    “Within the first year of his resumption of office as the NDA Minister, Akpabio took seriously the completion of this edifice. I also remember our brother, Late Ibanga Bassey Itang, who would come for inspections of this project even on weekends.”

    Pondei said that the relocation to the new headquarters would ensure that the finishing touches were properly done.

    “Project move faster when there are activities on a continuous basis. As we have moved to this place, before you know it, one or two other floors would be completed. The movement will be in phases and our presence here means that the commissioning would not be long in coming,” he said.

    He regretted the border closure caused by the COVID-19 pandemic delayed installation of some facilities.

    Pondei noted the new headquarters would accommodate all the directorates and departments of the commission, describing it as a one-stop-shop.

    He said: “It is a place everyone would be happy about. The ancillary building will accommodate facilities such as a medical centre, restaurant, and bank, among others. All the service equipment for the main building, including electrical equipment such as lifts and escalators have been installed.”

    He said that the old office presented many obstacles, especially in the areas of office space, adding that the new complex would take care of the problems.

    “This new complex is more spacious and there are enough rooms for everyone. Whatever was an obstacle at the old office would not be an obstacle here,” he said.

    Pondei noted that unlike the office on Aba Road, the new complex would be connected to the national electricity grid with provision made for alternative source of power wondering why some people were raising controversies over the new building.

    He said: “Seeing is believing. And you can’t compare the cost of this building to other buildings being done in Nigeria that are even smaller than this. I believe that our presence here will put a stop to all these unnecessary controversies, especially in the social media.”

  • COVID-19: Beware of this ‘FG lockdown funds’

    The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has warned Nigerians using the cyber space to beware of fake websites leveraging COVID-19 pandemic to defraud unsuspecting citizens.

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

    “In NITDA’s efforts at ensuring a safe and secure Nigerian cyberspace, the agency’s Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team (CERRT) identified a number of websites using various phishing tricks to attract internet users.

    “One of such tricks is misinforming the public that Federal Government has approved the disbursement of funds under a fictitious vote called Lockdown Funds.

    “This malicious site requires the user to complete an online form with their personal information including bank details for the payment to be effected,” she said.

    Umar said that NITDA was doing everything possible to shut down the identified malicious websites and sanction the perpetrators.

    According to her, the general public should disregard and report any such websites to the agency for necessary action.

    “Also, in NITDA’s efforts to checkmate cyber security threats and possible data breach under Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), internet users are advised to avoid giving out their personal information to anyone online.

    “It is advisable to avoid clicking unknown links, disregard offers requesting for their bank details and know what to do when they become victims of cybercrime,” she said.

    She called on well-meaning Nigerians to intensify their efforts toward supporting the Federal Government in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Umar encouraged Nigerians to strictly adhere to the recommendations given by health experts, and follow updates from the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

    “Adhere to guidelines by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and other relevant agencies involved in the management of the pandemic,” she said.

  • COVID-19: Buhari challenges scientists on solutions as humanity, Nigeria’s democracy under threat

    COVID-19: Buhari challenges scientists on solutions as humanity, Nigeria’s democracy under threat

    President Muhammadu Buhari has challenged Nigerian scientists and researchers to come up with solutions to cure COVID-19 as humanity and democracy is under threat of the pandemic.

    The president gave the challenge in a nationwide broadcast to commemorate 2020 Democracy Day in Abuja on Friday.

    He, however, expressed optimism that Nigeria would survive the pandemic like similar crises in the past where the country emerged much more stronger.

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had on June 11 announced on its official Twitter handle that Nigeria recorded a total of 14,554 cases.

    The centre also revealed that Nigeria recorded its highest daily toll on Thursday with 681 new COVID-19 cases confirmed in 17 states.

    Buhari, however, expressed optimism that the steps being taken by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 had started showing fruitful results.

    “I therefore implored all Nigerians to abide by the approved guidelines and protocols. There is hope for us all if we take individual and collective responsibility.

    “Government is determined to turn this COVID-19 challenge into a motivation to action by building a nationwide public healthcare system that will help us overcome the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for any future outbreak.

    “Already, we have begun to look inward and I charge our inventors, researchers and scientists to come up with solutions to cure COVID-19,’’ he said.

    The president noted that the pandemic had affected the global economy and all known socio-economic systems as well as brought grief and pains to families that had lost their loved ones

    Buhari, however, announced that his administration had put in place various measures to cushion the negative effects of the pandemic on Nigerians and the nation economy.

    According to him, the impact of the pandemic has disrupted the nation economic system.

    “And to ensure it functions while still addressing the spread, the federal government put in place a number of various non pharmaceutical measures to slow down the spread of the virus in addition to a progressive re-opening of the economy.

    “As part of the strategies to create jobs in reducing the effects of COVID-19 on our youths, I directed the employment of 774,000 of Nigerians.

    “These youths would be engaged in sufficient public work programmes aimed at cushioning the effects of economic downturn.

    “Each of the 774 Local Government Areas of the country will be allotted 1,000 slots.

    “I am pleased to report that this programme has commenced,’’ he revealed.

  • NYSC looks ahead to complete lifting of lockdown

    As efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the National Youth Service Corps is strategizing for safe and efficient conduct of its operations ahead of further lifting of restrictions on socio-economic activities in the country.

    The Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim stated this during a courtesy visit to his counterpart of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, in Abuja.

    He informed the NCDC Chief Executive that NYSC suspended the 2020 Batch ‘A’ Stream One Orientation Course just one week into the exercise as a proactive measure to avert the spread of COVID-19 to any of the Orientation Camps.

    Ibrahim said other operations of the Scheme were scaled down in line with the Federal Government’s restrictions order, adding that the Passing-out of the 2019 Batch ‘B’ Stream One Corps members was low-keyed with full adherence to the COVID-19 prevention protocols.

    He said conscious of the possibility of further or complete lifting of lockdown, the strategies mapped out by the NYSC Management had taken care of various scenarios, and would be presented to the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 through the NCDC for guidance.

    The Director-General said the suspended 2020 Batch ‘A’ Stream One Orientation Course would be completed, when the Scheme received the green light from the PTF.

    He also briefed his host on the various COVID-19 interventions made by NYSC, especially through Corps members’ activities all over the country, including sensitization; production and distribution of face masks, liquid soaps, hand sanitizers, automated disinfection chambers; as well as automated and foot-operated liquid soap, hand sanitizer and water dispenser.

    Ibrahim solicited the PTF’s support in the funding of mass production of the automated disinfection chambers for use in all the NYSC Orientation Camps.

    He commended the NCDC for its role in the overall national efforts at containing the COVID-19.

    In his response, the NCDC Director-General, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, commended NYSC for its support to the fight against the coronavirus through Corps member’s activities. He particularly expressed delight at the fabrication of hand washing machines and production of disinfectants amongst other interventions.

    Ihekweazu, who praised the contributions of the Scheme to the unity and development of the country, stressed that it deserved every form of support to enable it succeed.

    He said the proposals presented by the Director-General would be studied and recommendations made to the appropriate authorities

  • Rivers State: Reason why people are dying in Bonny

    Rivers State: Reason why people are dying in Bonny

    Finally, the mystery behind the unexplainable number of deaths reported in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State has been unravelled.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) recalled that Awoiyeala Samuel Allison, President of the Bonny Graduates Forum had raised alarm to the unpalatable incident in May.

    Since then, suspecting Coronavirus disease, officials of the State Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) collected samples for testing to determine what is responsible for the strange occurrence.

    On Monday, the State Governor, Nyesom Wike called a meeting to address the situation where some tests conducted so far and with briefs from the State Ministry of Health paints the picture that Bonny is becoming an epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic in the State.

    Governor Wike said the Government might consider a possible lockdown of the Bonny kingdom after due consultation with the Amanyanabo of Bonny.

    He stated that the highest number of people testing positive to the COVID-19 in the kingdom are oil workers, which he said accounts for 60 percent of cases recorded so far.

    He said the situation has vindicated his position on the need for oil companies to cooperate with the State Government to fully implement the COVID-19 preventive protocol.

    “Nobody is against anybody carrying out oil exploration activities. All I have always argued is that if you are bringing people from outside the State, which is like an interstate movement, there is a need for us to know so that we are able also to take precaution and make sure that they follow the protocol put in place by the NCDC.

    “Nobody will want to stop oil exploration because that is the mainstay of the economy of this country. But people have to be alive before you can use the revenue. If you make the money from the oil sector and human beings are not there, what will be the essence of making the whole money.

    “Money is to be used to advance economic life but man’s well-being is more important. So we felt that there is a need for us to work together so that we will be able to reduce this pandemic in the State,” Governor Wike said.

    The Governor urged the oil companies to provide basic hygiene items like hand sanitisers and water at strategic places in Bonny communities.

    On the issue of denial pervading the community, the Governor promised to engage the traditional institution and community development committees to enlighten the people on the reality of the pandemic.

    Meanwhile, three international oil companies have expressed interest to collaborate in establishing a 30-bed COVID-19 treatment centre in Bonny.

    TNG reports the companies are the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas company (NLNG), the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), and the Exonn Mobil Producing Unlimited Company.

    The companies, which were part of the meeting called by Governor Wike at Government House, Port Harcourt, agreed to upgrade and equip the Bonny General Hospital in a treatment centre. The treatment centre is expected to be prepared and equipped within the next four weeks.

    The Managing Director of Nigeria LNG Ltd, Tony Attah appreciated the bold measures taken by the Governor in dealing with the pandemic and pledged the company’s continued support.

    The Deputy Managing Director of SPDC, Simon Roddy, pledged that his company would support all measures taken by the Government to keep the State safe.

    In his own remarks, the Executive Director of Exonn Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Udobong Ntia also said they are fully committed to preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the State.

  • Bayelsa records 9 new cases of COVID-19, total confirmed number 21

    Bayelsa records 9 new cases of COVID-19, total confirmed number 21

    The Bayelsa State Committee on COVID-19 has recorded nine confirmed case among the 307 cases announced by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, bringing the number of case in the State to 21.

    The Co-chairman of the Bayelsa State Taskforce on COVID-19, Dr Nathaniel Inodu, made the disclosure in a statement on Monday in Yenogoa.

    “Yesterday, the NCDC in its usual manner announced 307 new confirmed COVID -19 cases. Nine of these cases were samples from Bayelsa.

    “These results are coming from a backlog of 62 samples sent to the UPTH COVID -19 laboratory last week.

    “These nine newly confirmed cases bring the total number of confirmed cases in the state to 21. Six out of these nine cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases while three are not epidemiologically linked to any of the previous confirmed cases.

    “Two of these fresh unlinked cases are critically ill and were on admission in our public hospitals for other underlying illnesses (one had undergone sessions of dialysis).

    “The third unlinked case is a Health Care Professional.

    “All nine new cases have since been evacuated for further treatment at our isolation facilities. All their contacts are being line listed and adequately followed up including necessary environmental decontamination.

    “Samples have and are still being collected from their high risk contacts while they have all been counselled on self-quarantine. Risk communication and community engagement are ongoing.

    “We discharged three cases during the past week. One case was discharged on Saturday, and the two other cases (including the doctor) were discharged just yesterday after all their repeat tests returned negative.

    “This makes a total of nine cases that have been discharged from our Isolation facilities. Currently, we have eleven active cases of COVID -19 in the State.

    “All cases except the two cases who were previously on admission for other underlying illness are in stable clinical conditions,’’ he said.

    Inodu said the state recorded a death last week as the patient who was initially responding to treatment suddenly developed severe shortness of breath.

    “All attempts to salvage him proved abortive even with the intensive and delicate procedures that were administered by the attending medical personnel.

    “He has since been buried by the Bayelsa State COVID -19 Safe Burial team and witnessed by relatives, friends, and colleagues,” he said.

    The Co-chairman said that the State Government Quarantine Facility has since been admitting contacts who were unable to self-quarantine.

    Inodu said that they had been very cooperative while enjoying the luxury provided at this centre.

    He said that the State Public Emergency Operations Centre (the COVID -19 Situation Room/ War Room of the State response) and the State COVID -19 Task Force were and would remain on REPONSE mode; doing their best to contain and mitigate the impact of the pandemic.

    “We now use the UPTH Port Harcourt Reference COVID -19 Laboratory. In the past weeks, we have been sending an average of 25 samples daily to this facility.

    “Most of these samples are contacts of confirmed cases. Little wonder our positive figures seem to be on the increase. This is because of our robust surveillance activities and improved testing rates.

    “Permit me to seize this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to all the health care workers particularly the frontlines who have been tireless in their resolve and commitment to the COVID -19 response in the State,” he stated.

  • 287 dead as Nigeria’s coronavirus cases surpass 10,000

    287 dead as Nigeria’s coronavirus cases surpass 10,000

    Coronavirus cases in Nigeria surpassed 10,000 on Sunday, with 307 new cases announced.

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC gave the nation’s caseload as 10,162.

    There was no surprise in Sunday night announcement.

    Lagos remains the most affected state, with 188 new cases.

    The new figure is smaller than the 378 recorded on Saturday.

    The FCT Abuja logged 44 new cases, again lower than the 52 recorded Saturday.

    However, the national death toll increased from 273 to 287.

    The number of COVID-19 patients discharged also increased from 2,856 to 3,007.

    Here are the new cases state-by-state:

    Lagos-188
    FCT-44
    Ogun-19
    Kaduna-14
    Oyo-12
    Bayelsa-9
    Gombe-5
    Kano-3
    Delta-3
    Imo-2
    Rivers-2
    Niger-2
    Bauchi-2
    Plateau-1
    Kwara-1

    10162 cases of #COVID19Nigeria
    Discharged: 3007
    Deaths: 287