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)

Kano State Govt conducts 58,979 COVID-19 tests

Test

By Sunday John

Mr Matthew Kuju, Publisher of Eggonnews, a Community Newspaper in Nasarawa State and three members of his family have tested positive for COVID-19.

This is contained in a statement personally signed by Kuju on Thursday, in Lafia.

“On Monday Jan. 4, I took my family, six of us, for COVID-19 test in Lafia, although none of us had symptoms of the disease.

“Two days later, the results came out, disclosing that four of us, including myself, are positive.

“Although still asymptomatic, the four of us have been isolated and are taking laid down treatment,” he said.

Kuju enjoined members of the public to pray for their quick recovery.

He also advised residents to present themselves for routine tests, with or without symptoms to ascertain their status.

Kuju urged Nigerians to always abide by COVID-19 safety protocols, put in place by the authorities to curb its spread.

“Coronavirus is real and not a respecter of age or position, therefore, we all have responsibility to prevent its spread in our state and Nigeria as a whole,” he said. (NAN)

By Abujah Racheal

Nigeria recorded 1,664 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total infections to 94,369. the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said.

The NCDC made this known via its verified website on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the daily increase was a new record and considerably higher than Tuesday’s 1,354 confirmed cases.

It said that 22 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) recorded the new infections with Lagos having the highest number of cases with 642.

The FCT, the centre said recorded 407 new cases while Plateau recorded 160 new cases.

Also, it said Kaduna State recorded 83 new infections while Rivers State recorded 62.

Others state are Adamawa-47, Nasarawa-38, Abia-29, Edo-28, Anambra-27, Niger-24, Ogun-24, Imo-15, Oyo-14, Kano-12, Osun-12, Borno-nine, Delta-seven, Enugu-seven, Bauchi-five, Ekiti-five, Sokoto-five and Jigawa-two.

The centre also said that Nigeria recorded  77,299 recoveries and 1,318 fatalities.

The NCDC said that there are now 14,990 active COVID-19 cases.

The cenre, however, said that in the last 24 hours, 903 recoveries were recorded.

It noted that the discharges included 388 community recoveries in Lagos State, 261 in Kaduna State, 87 in Plateau State and 20 in Imo  managed in line with its guidelines.

The NCDC also said that Nigeria recorded five deaths in the past 24 hours.

The  agency has said that a multi-sectoral national Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, is coordinating response activities nationwide. (NAN)

By Patricia Amogu

The Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD) on Wednesday pledged its collaboration with the blind DJ, Austin Akpeji, a.k.a Aus J, who won 2020 Aid Talent Show.

The President association, Mrs Ekaete Umoh,made the disclosure when organisers of the Miss Health International Foundation and winner of the Aid Talent Hunt Show paid her a visit in Abuja.

Umoh said that the collaboration was aimed at changing the narratives and creating more awareness on the abilities of Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWDs).

“Most of the barriers that we see is the school of thought that says ‘we are not able, ‘everything is in the negative’,

“But Austin’s story is a proof that there is ability in disability.

“DJ Austin has said that he wants to change the narrative about PLWD’s,most of the challenges we might be facing is trying to get people to unlearn everything negative about persons with disabilities, and give them alternatives or better strategies on how best to live with PWD’s.

The president also disclosed the association’s plans to identify those with talents,encourage more people  as well as solicit support for them from the government.

“I think he has succeeded in encouraging others to move forward, and I think it’s going to bring about enhanced self esteem and continue to mentor others.

“Our eyes would be on those systemic barriers that are standing in the way of moving forward for PWD’s like politics, the law has already taken care of,” she said.

Austin Apke, 23 years old, a blind 400 level Mass Communication student at the University of Ibadan, promised to mentor a lot of young minds that would want to be like him.

“First things first, I’d love to be able to give back to the society and the system that has projected me. I would mentor other people too who would love to do what I do.

“I want people to know that PWD’s can do what other people do or could even do better.

“I learnt to mix sounds when I was challenged by some one in school,who said I can’t do it, people should stop looking at our physical appearances and look within.”he said.

Mr Nick Bebiem, Founder of the Aid Talent Show Hunt, expressed satisfaction at the show’s success in identifying  young minds like Austin who would take on the world and change people’s impression of the physically challenged (NAN)

Deaths due to COVID-19 pandemic crossed the 150,000 mark in India on Wednesday, reaching 150,114, said the data released by the federal health ministry.

As many as 264 deaths took place during the past 24 hours, according to the data.

According to it, the total number of COVID-19 cases rose to 10,374,932, even as 18,088 new cases were registered since Tuesday.

There are still 227,546 active cases in the country, while 9,997,272 people have been successfully treated and discharged from hospitals.

India continues to be the second worst-affected country globally by the pandemic, after the U.S.

Meanwhile, the federal government has ramped up COVID-19 testing facilities across the country, even as more than 170 million tests have been conducted so far.

As many as 177,463,405 tests were conducted till Tuesday, out of which 931,408 tests were conducted on Tuesday alone, the latest data issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) showed on Wednesday.

Delhi, which has been one of the most COVID-19 affected places in the country, has been witnessing a downward trend over the past few days.

As many as 442 new cases and 12 deaths were registered in the national capital through Tuesday.

So far, as many as 10,609 people have died in the national capital due to COVID-19, confirmed the Delhi’s health department.

Indian scientists have developed two COVID-19 vaccines and the process of vaccination is about to begin any time this month.

Last Sunday the Drugs Controller-General of India (DCGI) had given its approval to these two vaccines for emergency use.

DCGI Dr. V.G. Somani said that the permission was granted for “restricted use in emergency situations.

“The Subject Expert Committee (SEC) of Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) met on Jan. 1 and Jan. 2 and made recommendations in respect of a proposal for restricted emergency approval of the two COVID-19 virus vaccines.”

“The two COVID-19 vaccines developed by ‘Serum Institute of India (SII)’ and ‘Bharat Biotech’ respectively, as well as Phase 3 clinical trial of the third one developed by ‘Cadila Healthcare Limited’ were part of the recommendation.”

The SII, situated in southwestern city of Pune, had presented its Recombinant Chimpanzee Adenovirus vector vaccine (Covishield) encoding the SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) glycoprotein with technology transfer from AstraZeneca/Oxford University, said a DCGI statement.

Last week, a Pan-India dry run was carried out in a bid to assess the overall preparations in place for the vaccination drive, often described as one of the biggest such drives in the world. (NAN)