By Cecilia Ologunagba

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says no fewer than 42 countries already rolling out the various COVID-19 vaccines which have been cleared for use, 36 are in high income nations.

WHO’s Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, made this known during COVID-19 news conference at WHO headquarters in Geneva.

In series of tweets posted on the UN health agency twitter account @WHO, Ghebreyesus emphasised equitable distribution of the vaccines.

He said “there’s a clear problem that low and most middle income countries are not receiving the vaccine yet.

“We can and must solve this problem together through COVAX and the ACT-Accelerator”.

COVAX – set up in April 2020 by WHO, GAVI, the vaccine alliance and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) – are part of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator to provide COVID-19 diagnostics, treatments and vaccines to all, regardless of their ability to pay.

According to the WHO boss, two billion doses of “safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines” have been secured by the international equitable vaccine alliance — COVAX, which will be ready for distribution as soon as delivered.

“And we also have the right of first refusal on an additional one billion doses,” the director general said, noting that rich countries had bought most of the supply so far, while middle and high income countries were still making bilateral deals.

He said it was apparent that even within the alliance, middle and high income countries were making bilateral deals, potentially bumping up the price for everyone, leaving vaccines out of reach for the poorest and most marginalised nations.

“Vaccine nationalism hurts us all and this is self-defeating,” he added.

Vaccine nationalism is when a country manages to secure doses of vaccines for its own citizens and prioritises its own domestic markets before they are made available in other countries.

This is done through pre-purchase agreements between a government and a vaccine manufacturer.

Ghebreyesus said that equitable vaccination “saves lives, stabilises health systems and will lead to a truly global economic recovery that stimulates job creation.”

Although it is normal for viruses to mutate, the WHO chief maintained that “if we don’t reduce transmission and vaccinate equitably, we’re helping it to thrive.

“Going forward, I want to see manufacturers prioritise supply and rollout through COVAX. I urge countries and manufacturers to stop making bilateral deals at the expense of COVAX.”

According to him, it is a very dangerous time in the course of the pandemic, with some of the highest numbers of deaths recorded at any point to date.

He, however, reiterated the urgency in complying with health advisories and recommended measures.

He added that “if I said one thing to people in areas where there are high numbers of cases, it would be to do all you can to avoid mixing with people from other households, especially inside.

“It is best to meet virtually, but if you have to meet others, do it carefully and with the right precautions.”

The WHO chief emphasised that healthcare workers be vaccinated as a priority.

He said “remember, ending this pandemic is one of humanities great races, and whether we like it or not, we will win or lose this race together.

“No country is exceptional and should cut the queue and vaccinate all their population, while some remain with no supply.

“Science has delivered, let’s not waste the opportunity to protect lives of those most at risk and ensure all economies have a fair shot at recovery,” he said.

In addition, he said, it was a very dangerous time in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic “and I do not want to see people become complacent as vaccines are starting to rollout.

“Over the past few days, we’ve seen some of the highest numbers of deaths recorded at any point in the pandemic.

“We’ve hit our target; 100 countries have now completed this critical process and the governments and health systems are on standby for global vaccine rollout.

“We are ready. COVAX is ready. Countries are ready,’’ he said. (NAN)

By Akeem Abas

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has postponed indefinitely his 50 years coronation anniversary in the aftermath of the ravaging coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

This is contained in a statement he personally signed and issued to newsmen on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the oba ascended the throne on Jan. 14, 1971, aged 31.

Oba Adeyemi, who had made adequate arrangement for an elaborate ceremony, said it was important to postpone the event.

He said that he had been able to convince his traditional cabinet on the need to postpone the event, as a sign of respect for the sanctity of human life.

“As usual, all those who know the importance of the Alaafin stool to the Yoruba nationhood, both at home and in the diaspora, had indicated their intention to be physically present on the occasion.

“Against the backdrop of the current global pandemic of COVID-19, I have got to make a rethink on the timing of the celebration.

“With very strong personal pain but with respect for the sanctity of human life, I have been able to convince my traditional cabinet (Oyomesi) of the need to postpone the event.

“The event is postponed till after the pandemic might have gone in no distant future,” he said.

The oba added that the logistics of effecting social distance rule and need of harbouring visitors from abroad for the mandatory two weeks isolation informed the decision.

“Consequently, between personal interest and national interest, especially when it comes to the sanctity of human live, the choice is clear for any patriot.

“While regretting any inconveniences the postponement might has caused, the sanctity of human life is more important to me than any social engagement,” he said. (NAN)

By Salisu Sani-Idris
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Friday commended the level of compliance with COVID-19 safety protocols in mosques around the Federal Capital City during Jumma’at congregation prayers.

Mr Ikharo Attah, Head, Publicity and Enlightenment, FCT Ministerial Enforcement Task Force on COVID-19, made the remark after monitoring some mosques at Wuse, Utako and Maitama Districts, in Abuja.

Attah urged Imams to ensure that their congregation adhered strictly to physical distancing during prayers.

“The usage of face masks, sanitisers and hand washing points in the mosques visited are quite encouraging. The Imams and Ulamas have put in place measures to ensure compliance from the entry points,” he said.

According to him, most mosques have shortened their sermon and prayer times to prevent people from staying longer in the places of worship.

“The only mosque we were not encouraged with is the Uthman Bin Alfa Mosque, Wuse II which is located opposite Banex Plaza.

“Though worshippers who entered the premises wear face masks, there was no infrared thermometer for temperature check, no hand washing points and no sanitizers at the entry points into the mosque,” he said.

Attah, therefore, advised secretary of the mosque to ensure that all anomalies are corrected before the next prayers.

Meanwhile, at the Ansarul Islam National Mosque, Utako District, the team also frowned at the fact that security men at the gate enforcing compliance with the COVID-19 protocols were not wearing facemasks.

The enforcement team also inspected compliance at the An-nur Mosque, Wuse II and the Ansar Udeen Islamic Mosque Maitama.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in all the mosques visited face masks vendors were spotted making brisk business at the various entry points.

By Abujah Racheal
The Nigeria Centre For Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed 1,544 new infections of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.

The NCDC, on its verified website on Friday, also confirmed additional 12 coronavirus-related deaths.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the country’s daily new infections accelerated to a record high of over 1,500 cases for the third time bringing the total to 97,478.

There is now a rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases nationwide similar to the second wave of infections occurring in other countries.

The NCDC said that the new infections were from 20 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

It said that Lagos state reported 739 new cases, followed by Plateau with 168 cases and the FCT with 153 cases, Oyo (91), Nasarawa (90), Rivers (80), Kaduna (35) and Edo (33).

Kano (29), Ogun (21), Delta (19), Sokoto (16), Akwa Ibom (11), Ebonyi (11), Enugu (10), Osun (10), Niger (9), Bauchi (8), Kebbi (8), Katsina (2), and Taraba (1).

The agency, however, noted that 570 patients were discharged from isolation centers across the country on Friday which include 264 and 147 community recoveries in Lagos and Plateau States.

A multi-sectoral national Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) activated at Level 3, is coordinating response activities nationwide.

NAN recalls that since the first case of coronavirus was reported in the country, 1,011,584 people have been tested of which 97,478 were tested positive.

Presently, the country’s active cases is 17,584, while only two states, Kogi and Cross River, have no active case of the infection as at Jan. 8.

Lagos, Kaduna and the FCT have emerged as the new epicentres during this period, with over 70 per cent of all confirmed cases.

Meanwhile, Nigeria has directed that with effect from Jan. 11, travelers must perform a COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test not more than four days as well as show proof of payment for post-arrival test before boarding. (NAN)

By Rabiu Sani-Ali

Kano State has recorded 10 new Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the second wave of the pandemic, bringing the total infections in the state to 316.

The state Ministry of Health made this known via its verified Twitter handle @KNSMOH on Friday in Kano.

“Kano COVID-19 update as at 9:12 p.m. Jan. 7, 2021: 10 new cases recorded from 130 results received on Thursday from the laboratories with no discharge,’’ it said.

The ministry said that the state had so far conducted 59,111 COVID-19 sample tests since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country.

“Total confirmed cases are 2,389 and 316 active cases,’’ it said, adding that 2,005 patients were discharged and 68 COVID-19 related deaths recorded in the state.

The ministry urged residents of the state to observe safety protocols, personal hygiene, use of face mask, hand washing, as well as social distancing to stem further spread of the pandemic.

It also provided toll free numbers: 0909 399 5333, 0909 399 5444, and 0800 268 4356.  (NAN)

Coronavirus

By Rabiu Sani-Ali

Kano, Jan. 8, 2021 (NAN) Kano State has recorded 10 new Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the second wave of the pandemic, bringing the total infections in the state to 316.

The state Ministry of Health made this known via its verified Twitter handle @KNSMOH on Friday in Kano.

“Kano COVID-19 update as at 9:12 p.m. Jan. 7, 2021: 10 new cases recorded from 130 results received on Thursday from the laboratories with no discharge,’’ it said.

The ministry said that the state had so far conducted 59,111 COVID-19 sample tests since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country.

“Total confirmed cases are 2,389 and 316 active cases,’’ it said, adding that 2,005 patients were discharged and 68 COVID-19 related deaths recorded in the state.

The ministry urged residents of the state to observe safety protocols, personal hygiene, use of face mask, hand washing, as well as social distancing to stem further spread of the pandemic.

It also provided toll free numbers: 0909 399 5333, 0909 399 5444, and 0800 268 4356.  (NAN)

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Edited by Ese E. Ekama

By Abujah Racheal

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 on Thursday expressed worry that presentation of fake COVID-19 test results by Nigerians travelling abroad tarnished the country’s image.

The PTF Chairman, Mr Boss Mustapha who is also  the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, expressed the worry at a briefing by the taskforce in Abuja.

He said: “It has become embarrassing to note that some Nigerians continue to present fake results when travelling outside the shores of this country.

“This remains a major source of concern to the Federal Government.”

According to Mustapha, the PTF has directed private laboratories to  put in place measures to validate results and ensure that all passengers are registered on the travel portal before samples are processed.

He said that the directive was aimed at eliminating the fraud.

The chairman added that the  PTF was concerned about the increasing daily number of COVID-19 positive cases.

He noted that the country  recorded 1,664 new cases on Wednesday.

“This is yet another all-time high in Nigeria, and we must all take full responsibility through compliance and vigilance.

“It is better to wear a face mask than to be on  a ventilator.

”We have consistently appealed to all Nigerians to stay safe and act in most defensive and protective ways by complying with the non-pharmaceutical interventions already prescribed,” Mustapha said.

He urged Nigerians to be their brothers’ keepers by observing COVID-19 prevention protocols.

“Remind your neighbour to do the right thing in view of the imminent danger facing us as a country and the world in general.

“Our records show that our test per million is at 4,695, our test positivity rate at 9.6 per cent and our case fatality rate increased to three per cent as we have recorded 1,324 deaths,” he said.

Mustapha said that the figures were not encouraging.

He said that Nigeria just crossed the one million mark for testing, adding that testing remained a key strategy for national response.

“The PTF urges the sub-nationals to revamp testing and contact tracing in a bid to curb the menace of this dreaded virus.

“It is only through testing that we can know our status and treat early if infected.

“This will provide among other things, evidence for effective feedback and experience  sharing, as well as optimise documentation systems for future reference,” he said.

The chairman said that efforts were being made to increase oxygen supply  to health facilities across the country.

He said that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved establishment of at least one new oxygen plant in each state of the federation, while the existing ones would be made fully functional.

“We continue to thank the Private Sector Initiative  and the Nigerian Air Force for their continued support.

“As the government is working round the clock to secure safe and right vaccines for the country, we call on the media, traditional, religious and community leaders to pass the right message to their followers so that together, we can win the war against this virus.

“To overcome some of these challenges, the PTF will intensify risk communication and community engagement to create awareness.

“The level of doubts about the virus is alarming, and I call on every one to become an advocate in support of national response.”

The chairman said that the  PTF was working to develop new health protection regulations to support existing COVID-19 protocols.

Mustapha said that the PTF was aware that the world was at a critical phase of COVID-19 infection and was constantly reviewing its strategies especially in risk communication and vaccine hesitancy.

He called on the general public to remain focused on the drive to reduce the level of infection and make the country safe. (NAN)

By Abujah Racheal

Nigeria on Thursday recorded 1,565 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 95,934, according to the public health agency.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) made this known on its verified website.

The centre said that 24 states recorded the new infections with Lagos State registering 807 while the FCT has 236.

Others are Kaduna-79, Oyo-57, Plateau-47, Rivers-37, Katsina-35, Edo-30, Sokoto-30, Delta-26, Kebbi-23, Ondo-20 and Enugu-18.

Others are Abia-17, Ogun-17, Benue-16, Bayelsa-15, Bauchi-14, Niger-13, Kano-10, Borno-six, Imo-five, Ekiti-four, Osun-two and Jigawa-one.

The centre also said that Nigeria reported six COVID-19 related deaths in the last 24 hours.

The centre said that out of the 95,934 total case, 77,982 patients recovered and were discharged.

It said discharges today include 314 community recoveries in Lagos State, 158 in Kaduna State and 84 in Plateau.

The  agency said that a multi-sectoral national Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), activated at Level III, is coordinating response activities nationwide.

The agency stated that the infections  had been on the rise since December 2020 with cases  still concentrated in two major cities, Lagos State and FCT.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NCDC has so far tested 1,004,915 persons since the first confirmed case relating to the COVID-19 pandemic was announced in the country in February 2020.

NAN also reports that on Dec. 22, 2020 the Federal Government imposed new restrictions amid the rising cases of COVID-19 in various parts of the country.

The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, explained that the directives were advisories issued to state authorities for implementation in the next five weeks.

The new restrictions include civil servants from Grade Level 12 and below to stay at home for the next five weeks; the closure of all bars, nightclubs, pubs and event centres, as well as recreational venues in all states and the FCT.

All restaurants were also directed to close, except those providing services to hotel residents, takeaways, home deliveries, and drive-ins.

Similarly, all informal and formal festivity events, including weddings, conferences, congresses, office parties, concerts, seminars, sporting activities, end of year events, have been restricted to not more than 50 people.  (NAN)

By Abujah Racheal

The Nigeria Centre For Disease Control (NCDC) says increasing  national testing capacity for COVID-19 will enable understanding of its burden.

The Head of Department, Surveillance and Epidemiology Department, NCDC, Mrs Elsie Ilori, made this known on Thursday in Abuja at a briefing by the Presidential Tasks Force on COVID-19.

Ilori noted that in the last 24 hours, Nigeria recorded 1,664 new confirmed cases.

“Last week, over 40,000 tests were done. This is more than 10 per cent increase in the testing done the week before.

“Since the start of the outbreak, we have worked tirelessly to achieve this (increased testing)  through rapid expansion of laboratories and increased surveillance activities.

“This is enabling prompt detection of cases even at our points of entry,” she said.

She said that increase in confirmed cases remained a cause for concern.

“There is therefore need for stricter adherence to nonh-parmaceutical interventions  such as proper use of face masks, frequent handwashing and maintenance of physical distance of at least two meters.

“At NCDC, we continued our operations even throughout the Yuletide.

“Several colleagues spent the holiday away from their loved ones, strengthening the nation’s public health response to this pandemic,” she said.

Ilori said that the  National Emergency Operations Centre  had been working hard since  the outbreak of the  pandemic, supporting all states in their responses.

“With increasing healthcare workers’ infection across states, strategic actions have been employed in engaging and retraining focal persons in healthcare facilities to enhance Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practices and prevent transmission.

“We want to remind our healthcare workers not to let their guards down but adhere to IPC measures to prevent being infected.

“In the last week, we concluded distribution of COVID-19 commodities to all states as well as primary health centres,” she said.

She added that NCDC had continued to support the National Youth Service Corps as it prepared for orientation of the next batch of corp members.

“Following the success of the use of Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) for screening in NYSC camps, there are plans to roll out RDTs to hospitals to enable testing for healthcare workers  and patients in line with  guidelines on the use of RDTs.

“We have intensified risk communication activities by engaging in media appearances, airing jingles and disseminating preventive messages to the public,” she said.

Ilori said that data showed that the majority of recorded cases were people between the ages of 21 years and 50 years.

“This poses a high risk to the elderly and vulnerable  among us who may suffer severe symptoms if infected.

“The onus is on everyone, especially the young, to adhere strictly to protocols for their own health and the health of people around them.

“We are working hard  to protect the health of Nigerians, but everyone must  take personal responsibility to support this mission,” she said. (NAN)