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Tag: Osagie Ehanire

  • COVID-19 in Nigeria: What to expect in next 30 days

    COVID-19 in Nigeria: What to expect in next 30 days

    After Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) broke out in Nigeria on Thursday 27th February 2020, beginning from Tuesday 17th March, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has continued to churn out figures of confirmed cases almost on a daily basis.

    The figures being churn out by the NCDC, while on one hand, give hope, have been judged understated due to testing capacity. On the other hand, when the trend of these figures are contrasted with the trend of the figures reported in countries such as the US, Italy, Spain, where the COVID-19 has worse hit, there are indications that Nigeria’s worst days are here.

    10 countries worse hit by COVID-19
    10 countries worse hit by COVID-19 (Source: worldometer)

    To understand what will happen with COVID-19 in Nigeria in the next 30 days, let’s first critically examine the timeline, what has happened with COVID-19 in the country in the past 30 days, how Nigeria moved from no case to 97 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

    Timeline of COVID-19 in Nigeria in past 30 days

    As of February 26th, no case of COVID-19 had been confirmed in Nigeria; however, awareness was on.

    On February 26th, 11 suspected cases of COVID-19 were tested and all turned negative.

    February 27

    On February 27th, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire announced the very first confirmed COVID-19 case, an Italian man in Lagos State.

    Following the outbreak of the disease in the country, the NCDC activated its National Emergency Operations Centre and began working with Lagos State Ministry of Health to manage the first index case and implement firm control measures.

    Nigerians were advised to keep calm, with the Minister of Health saying, the index case patient was “clinically stable, with no serious symptoms, and is being managed at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, Lagos”. Identifying and reaching out to possible contacts of the case was done.

    From February 28th to March 6th, there was quiet. However, on March 6th, 3 COVID-19 cases were suspected. However, all the three COVID-19 suspected cases, travellers from France, England and China, whose samples were collected for analysis, tested negative and they were discharged.

    By March 8th, 23 cases have been suspected in the country. Of the 23 suspected cases of COVID-19, 22 were NEGATIVE and only one was positive as at the 7th of March 2020.

    March 9

    The second confirmed case of COVID-19 in Nigeria was confirmed on March 9.

    “The index case of COVID-19 in Nigeria was detected by an astute physician who was aware of our national case definition. The second confirmed case of COVID-19 in Nigeria was detected due to the diligence of our work,” Director General of the NCDC, Chikwe Ihekweazu said on a ChannelsTV programme.

    March 13

    By March 13th, World Health Organization (WHO) had declared COVID-19 as a pandemic

    March 15

    The NCDC was aware of a patient in Enugu suspected to have COVID-19.

    The laboratory result of the patient, however, came out negative.

    March 17

    On this day, the Minister of Health announced the 3rd case of COVID-19 in Nigeria. The case was a Nigerian who returned to Lagos from the UK and developed symptoms during her 14-day self-isolation.

    March 18

    March 18th, the Federal Ministry of Health announced 5 new cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria bringing the total number confirmed cases in the country to 8. All 5 cases had a travel history to the UK and the USA.

    March 19

    March 19th, 4 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Nigeria; a total of 12 confirmed cases in Nigeria.

    March 21

    On March 21st, Nigeria recorded the first COVID-19 cases outside Lagos. On this day, the Federal Ministry of Health confirmed 10 new cases of COVID-19. Of the 10 new cases, 3 are in the Federal Capital Territory and 7 are in Lagos. 9 out of the 10 cases had travel history outside Nigeria. The 10th case is a close contact of a confirmed case.

    March 22

    Eight new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Nigeria on March 22.

    March 23

    On March 23rd, 10 COVID-19 cases were confirmed, with Edo State recording its first case.

    Same March 23rd, Nigeria recorded its first COVID-19 death. The case was a 67-year-old male who returned home following medical treatment in UK. The case was later confirmed to be Suleiman Achimugu. He had underlying medical conditions: multiple myeloma and diabetes, and was undergoing chemotherapy.

    March 24

    Four new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed on this day, with Ogun State recording its first case.

    March 25

    Seven new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed on March 25th, with Osun and Rivers States recording one case each.

    March 26

    Fourteen new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed, with Bauchi State recording its first case.

    March 27

    Sixteen new cases of COVID-19 were reported, with Oyo recording its first cases, two cases, and Enugu also recording its first cases, two cases.

    March 28

    Another sixteen new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed on March 28, with Benue and Kaduna recording first case, one each.

    What the COVID-19 numbers mean for Nigeria in next 30 days

    From the 30 day timeline of COVID-19 in Nigeria, a trend could be observed with the curve.

    After the first case was confirmed in the country on February 27th, from February 28th to March, the curve remained flat at zero, until a case was confirmed on March 9th and the curve inclined upward.

    From March 10th to March 16th, the curve once again maintained flat at zero. However, beginning from March 17th, a continuous upward trend started until March 27th that the curve remained flat at 16 COVID-19 cases.

    If the curve remains flat, that is Nigeria averages on 16 new COVID-19 cases on a daily basis, in the next 30 days, COVID-19 cases might be less than 1,000 at the end of April.

    However, if the curve continues upward inclination in the next 30 days, especially as NCDC testing capacity improves, the situation would be worse, that is. COVID-19 deaths could hitherto spike.

    Meanwhile, it is expected that with the job NCDC is doing, and efforts government is putting in, the curve may go flat or starts downward inclination, even as asymptomatic case heal themselves. Then, declining COVID-19 cases should be expected.

    The COVID-19 curve is determined by the number of confirmed cases. All countries target is to maintain COVID-19 flat at zero. To down the curve to zero, it will take efforts of both the government and citizens.

    What Nigerians should do to improve on the curve

    COVID-19 spread is determined by human activities. Symptoms range from dry cough, sneezing to fever, and adversely, death. There is no known cure, nor is there any vaccine for COVID-19 yet. Treatment options are still undergoing clinical trials. If you must stay alive, prevention is better than cure.

    It has been said that the Coronavirus doesn’t move. It moves when humans move. This also means that when humans don’t move, the virus can’t move, and it will die. Therefore, Nigerians should obey stay home orders and observe social distancing when going out for supplies.

    It has also been said that the virus lives on some surfaces for as long as 72 hours. Therefore, to shorten the lifespan of the virus, Nigerians have to stick to the advice of frequent hand washing, and cleaning of surfaces with alcohol-based sanitizers and the use of hand sanitizers.

    If symptoms such as dry cough, sneezing, fever are observed, seek medical attention, immediately, especially if you just returned from a trip abroad, especially high risk countries.

    What government should do to down the curve

    The federal government and government at State levels, in one way or the other, have put a handful of measures in place to curtail the spread of COVID-19 in the country. Some of the measures are restriction of movement, stay home orders, shutting down of all borders, ban on all international flights and ban on gatherings of more than 20 people.

    Meanwhile, with all the measures in place to curtail the pandemic, government at all levels must understand that, if total lockdown orders are enforced, the social life of the people will be altered, with grave implications. Reeling out orders alone, and forcefully enforcing the orders, at these times, given this situation, therefore, will not hold waters.

    It, therefore, bolds on the government to consider social intervention options to make staying at home comfortable for citizens. This will cushion the effects, most times adverse, that come with staying at home. Even, such social intervention will help Nigerians obey stay home orders naturally. Already, the Lagos State Government is working in this direction. Other States Governments should take a cue.

    ALSO READ || COVID-19: How to keep Nigerians happy as government enforces stay home order

    As Nigerians and the government play their roles, well enough, in the face of this COVID-19 pandemic, hopefully in the next 30 days, things will be fine.

  • Minister speaks on community transmission of COVID-19 in Nigeria

    Minister speaks on community transmission of COVID-19 in Nigeria

    The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, says Nigeria is not among the countries that are experiencing community transmission of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

    Community transmission is a situation whereby many people become infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected.

    Ehanire said this while responding to questions from journalists at a news conference on COVID-19 on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The minister told the journalists that the country would not be in a hurry to take decision to ban social activities or shut down schools and offices because of the virus.

    “We are guided by experts, those who understand public health issues so they will guide us appropriately on what to do.

    “We do not have community transmission, we have only three cases, and they are recovering.

    “We can be taking decisions like those countries that have outbreak; we are studying the situation day and night to know what measures to take.

    “Many countries that have taken the decision to shut down schools and offices do so based on the need to do so.”

    According to him, the Ministry will provide update of the meeting of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 later today (Tuesday)

    on decision whether to place ban on flights into Nigeria and social activities.

    The minister said that Nigeria would continue to work on its case definition and screen travellers from those countries that recorded community transmission.

    The countries are China, Japan, Iran, Italy, Republic of Korea, France, Germany and Spain.

    On the contact tracing of the third and latest case, a Nigerian in her 30s, the minister assured Nigerians that it would follow the contacts properly.

    “The individual behaved very well and called the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and she was taken for treatment.

    “It means that our messages have been taken seriously and it is working.

    “The ministry is communicating with passengers who flew into those countries.

    “We carry out further screening on passengers if they meet our case definition, we test them. We do not intend to hide anything from you.

    “We have also told you about a suspected case in Enugu who tested negative.”

    Asked on the status of University of Abuja Teaching Hospital Isolation Centre, he said the centre would be ready for use in April.

    Ehanire, however, said that the ministry had made alternative arrangement by preparing an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as isolation centre.

    “The isolation centre will be ready next month but meanwhile we are using ICU of the teaching hospital, if we have any case in Abuja,’’ he said.

    He appealed to Nigerians to continue to take precautions to protect themselves and their families, stressing:

    Regular and thorough washing of hands with soap and water, and use of alcohol-based hand sanitiser.

    Maintaining at least 1.5 metres (5 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

    Persons with persistent cough or sneezing should stay home or keep social distance but not mix in crowd.

    Make sure you and people around you follow good respiratory hygiene, meaning cover your mouth and nose with

    handkerchief or tissue paper or into your sleeve at the bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze, then dispose

    used tissue paper immediately.

    Stay home if you feel unwell with symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing. Call NCDC toll free number, which is available day and night for guidance: 0800 970 0000-0010.

    Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed 273 cases of COVID-19 in 26 countries in Africa and six COVID-19-related deaths.

  • World Heart Day: Health Minister Gives 11 Nuggets for Healthy Heart

    World Heart Day: Health Minister Gives 11 Nuggets for Healthy Heart

    From Jonas Ike, Abuja

    Minister of Health Dr. Osagie Ehanire on Friday launched a nationwide campaign against cardiovascular disease also known as heart attack giving eleven simple lifestyle and dietary information that reduce its risks in humans.
    The Minister who also held a press conference in commemoration of the World Heart Day with the theme:’My Heart, Your Heart’ also used the occasion to launch a pocketbook entitled My Healthy Heart.
    He noted that cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, stroke, heart disease is the major non-communicable disease and world’s number one cause of death.
    He also that country witnessed high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in 2018 with hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, cardiomyopathesis and ischemic diseases at 31 2%, 27.6%,11.5% and 0.7% respectively.
    The Minister called for a collaborative effort of stakeholders and the general public in the fight against heart disease and other aliments.
    The most important nuggets for a healthy heart are: avoid tobacco, avoid alcohol intake, engage in physical activity, eat minimal fats and oils.
    Others are: eat adequate fresh fruits and vegetables, reduce sodium intake, reduce and maintain healthy body weight, go for regular medical check up, manage stress and take time to relax and have adequate and quality sleep.