NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Nigeria records 1,398 new coronavirus infections

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By Abujah Racheal

Nigeria recorded 1,398 new cases of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) as active cases being managed across isolation and treatment centres in the country rose to 20,062.

The NCDC disclosed this on its official website on Wednesday.

The  centre also confirmed nine new deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing the nation’s death toll to 1,382.

It stated that 1,398 new cases were recorded in the last 24 hours across the country, bringing number of confirmed cases to 103,999.

It added that 1,033,858 people had so far been tested since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was recorded on Feb. 27, 2020 in the country.

The health agency said that the new infections were recorded from 22 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

It disclosed that Lagos recorded the highest toll with 542 cases, FCT 131, Oyo 120, Rivers 113 and Plateau, 111.

Others were Kaduna (71), Kwara (71), Akwa Ibom (34), Sokoto (31), Benue (28), Ogun (27), Kano (26), Kebbi (17), Osun (12), Nasarawa (11), Delta (10), Gombe (10), Bayelsa and Borno  (9) each, Edo (8), Ekiti (3) Jigawa and Katsina  (2) each.

The NCDC stated that 981 patients recovered and were discharged from isolation centres across the country in the last 24 hours, including 317 community recoveries in Lagos, 241 in Kwara and 134 in Plateau, managed in line with approved guidelines.

It added that “so far, there have been 82,555 recoveries since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was recorded in the country in February 2020.”

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

Meanwhile, the agency said that as the global community reimagine solutions for COVID-19,  it must focus on working together, supporting each other and recognising that “no country is safe until every country is safe.

“With SOLIDARITY, we’ve a better chance at fighting this pandemic,” it stated.

The NCDC advised Nigerians that “not every COVID-19 individual shows symptoms.

“Everyone needs to maintain HIGHER index of suspicion for COVID-19, adhere to all preventive measures.

”Always wear a face mask. Wash your hands regularly with soap under running water.

”Cough/sneeze into your elbow.” (NAN)

COVID-19: FG allocates 1,800 vaccines to Oyo State – Makinde

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By David Adeoye

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, on Wednesday said that the Federal Government had allocated 1,800 vaccines to the state, out of about 100,000 vaccines procured for the country.

Makinde made the disclosure during a press conference held at the Government House, Agodi in Ibadan, disclosing that the state recorded 696 COVID-19 positive cases out of 13,000 tests from December 2020 to date.

He, however, said that the number of vaccines allocated to the state was grossly inadequate based on the population of between seven and 12 million people.

Makinde said that his government was exploring other means of getting the vaccine to the people through opening discussion directly with a vaccine manufacturer on how the state could get as many as possible for the people of the state.

The governor also said that the COVID-19 data available in the state was not indicating a second wave as the curve was never flatten.

He said that 20,000 COVID-19 tests were conducted between March and December 2020 with 3,000 results confirmed positive.

The governor said that at inception the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) guidelines allowed tests for mostly sick people and people who had direct contact with infected people who had the virus.

He said that the NCDC had since revised those guidelines and made testing available to accommodate more people including those without any symptoms.

“I have always said that all our responses to COVID-19 in Oyo state will be guided by data, science and logic.

“So, as far as Oyo state is concerned; the data we have is not pointing to the second wave as the curve was never flatten.

“Rather we have more people becoming complacent and acting as if the pandemic is over.

“But the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC), has continue its work of monitoring and enlightenment.

“The data says COVID-19 is still very much with us, Science is telling us that we can slow down the spread by taking precautions and the logical thing to do is to follow what science dictate.

“We know how difficult 2020 was for a lot of us, so logically we should not do things that will make the situation worse,’’ Makinde advised.

He said that this was not the time for people to let down their guard, stressing “we should not take any of the precautions lightly.

“In the last months we have unfortunately recorded eight deaths, so even though many persons have mild to moderate symptoms, it is severe for a few.

“And since we do not know who it will be severe on we need to keep our guards up.

“On our part, we are doing everything within our power to provide more resources for the EOC to continue to manage the spread of the disease.

“We are facilitating greater collaboration among the laboratories, the University College Hospital Ibadan and the Olodo Disease Infectious Centre.

“Also , we are carrying out trainings for private clinics/hospitals so that they can follow the right protocols.” Makinde stated.

The governor further revealed that his government would soon sign an MoU with a private company to use its facilities if the need be for those who might need oxygen.

He urged all residents of the state to continue to strictly observe the COVID-19 guidelines, use their nose masks always, wash their hands with soap and water or use alcohol based sanitisers, keep proper social distancing, among others. (NAN)

Lagos State Health Service Commission inducts over 700 new personnel

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By Kemi Akintokun

The Lagos State Health Service Commission has  inducted over 700 newly recruited healthcare workers at a virtual induction training organised to educate the personnel on ethics guiding the public service.

Dr Benjamin Eniayewun, Permanent Secretary of the commission,  charged the workers to be dedicated and discharge their duties diligently, a statement by the commission on Wednesday said.

Eniayewun said that the virtual forum was initiated in order to acquaint participants on operational work systems in their various strata of servitude.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Lagos State Government had given  approval for the recruitment of 774 health personnel in October 2020 to complement work delivery in state-owned hospitals.

Eniayewun said: “The  crippling effects of COVID -19  has so far truncated basic practices to ‘new -normal ‘ operational methods of job execution.

“I urge you all to keep up with the tide expected of your professional proficiency, for qualitative delivery”.

“Apart from financial benefits of your monthly salaries, the psychological benefits and trainings on the job cannot be underestimated.

“You will certainly learn on the job, even as your progress peaks towards remarkable standards expected of resourceful professionals.

“I implore you to be of good conduct and avoid practices inimical to your professional ethics, as these could hamper your career progression, remember, sky is only but the beginning,’’ he said.. (NAN)

We will prosecute those misinforming people on COVID-19 – Lalong

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By Martha Agas

Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau says the state government is set to prosecute those misinforming people on the existence of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

The governor said this during a stakeholders meeting organised to deliberate on the COVID-19 Task Force resolutions on Wednesday in Jos.

He expressed concern that many people were living in denial and were imposing their beliefs on innocent residents in the state.

He said “for those who are in denial and continue to misinform others that COVID-19 does not exist, I want to warn them to desist. I as the number one citizen of the state was a victim and God helped me to come out of it.

“I can tell you that it is not a joke and I do not wish even my enemies such experience.

“That is why at the last state executive meeting, we decided to criminalise further denial of the disease.

“In other words, if you deny the existence of the disease, keep your denial to yourself because if you are caught propagating it or instigating others to follow you, you will be arrested and prosecuted no matter how highly placed you may be.”

He said that the resurgence of cases globally called for increased efforts to control the new variant of the disease.

He decried the nonchalant attitude of residents in adhering to the guidelines of the disease, stressing that the use of face mask, personal hygiene and social distance was critical to controlling the spread of the disease.

“In fact, many have abandoned and refused to observe simple protocols of wearing face mask, maintaining social distance and washing hands regularly,” he said.

The governor noted that the meeting was to engage stakeholders, comprising the state cabinet, security council, traditional leaders, religious groups, women and youth groups, for inputs on the safety of residents.

He added that “I have directed commissioners and other senior government officials to reach out to the people.

“We want to break the resistance and ensure that people own the response. COVID-19 is a personal matter that affects people directly. They need to be involved.”

Lalong said efforts were being made to ensure oxygen supply in the treatment of the new variant of the COVID-19 disease.

He noted that his commitment to control the disease made him to establish a local research team to find cure for COVID-19, saying that the drugs were at clinical stage and awaiting approval.

He, however, expressed worry on the upsurge of kidnapping, cultism and other criminal activities in the state, saying “death is the penalty for kidnapping in Plateau.

“Last month, I signed the Anti-kidnapping, Land Grabbing, Cultism and Violence-related matters bill,  passed by the State House of Assembly into law.

“By that law, anyone convicted of kidnapping in Plateau will be sentenced to death, while cultism and other violent crimes attract various terms of imprisonment.

“In December last year, we inaugurated 595 Community Police constables who were trained and deployed to the 17 local government areas to assist law enforcement agencies, particularly the police in intelligence gathering and other security operations.”

He said security remained a collective responsibility and charged residents to always be conscious and take measures to protect their vicinity, saying criminals connived with community members to perpetrate crime which should not be tolerated.

“You may be aware of the recent alert by the Department of State Services (DSS) of a threat to cause inter-religious violence by some criminal elements. We have to take this alert seriously and ensure that we report any suspicious activity to security agencies.

“I also advise our people not to succumb to the divisive antics of such elements who exploit the fault lines of religion, ethnicity, politics and other sectional interests to create chaos,” he said.

In his presentation, Dr Simji Gomerep, the Chief Consultant Physician and Infectious Diseases Specialist at Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), said most casualties of COVID-19 were as a result of respiratory failure.

He said more equipment in the treatment of the disease such as ventilators, X-ray machines, CT Scan and oxygen plant, among others, were needed to aid prompt response.

He added that health workers at treatment centres required accommodation, insurance and motivation in the discharge of their duties.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Nimkong Lar, said “the state has a total of 5,962 confirmed cases as published by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and a record of 46 deaths.”

He called for the enforcement of COVID-19 protocols through increased sensitisation and scaling-up of community engagements and awareness on transmission and preventive measures.

He urged local government chairmen to support COVID-19 response teams in their areas for contact tracing, sample collection and active cases.

In his remarks, the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, urged traditional leaders to assist in fishing out criminal elements in communities.

He urged security agencies to conduct investigations and other duties effectively, saying the security and welfare of people should be their priority.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Plateau Commissioner of Police, State Director of Department of Security Services, religious and traditional leaders, were also at the meeting. (NAN)

Gov. Ortom tests negative again for COVID-19

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By Emmanuel Antswen

The Benue State Government on Wednesday said that Gov. Samuel Ortom had again tested negative for COVID-19.

This is contained in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr Terver Akase, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi.

The governor admitted that though he tested negative for COVID-19 on Dec. 14, 2020, some of his close aides, however, tested positive.

He said the development made it necessary for him to go into isolation as the NCDC protocol demands.

The statement also urged the people of the state to go for the test and know their COVID-19 status.

It added that by doing so, they would be complementing government’s efforts in fighting the pandemic.

He said that it was only by going for the test that the status of people could be determined and treated on time if their test returns positive.

Akase quoting medical experts said that the second phase of the pandemic is deadlier and that it required the collaboration of everyone to contain it.

He emphasised that COVID-19 is real.

It is important that people should take preventive measures such as physical distancing, wearing of face masks, and washing of hands with soap and the use of sanitisers.

NAN reports that the Benue Government has already made the wearing of facemasks compulsory in the state. (NAN)

South East chapter of PDP mourns Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu

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By Ikenna Osuoha

The South East chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it received with deep sense of loss, sorrow and sadness the death of retired Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu.

Mr Augustine Okeke, South East Publicity Secretary, PDP said this in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

Okeke who described the deceased as a national builder, said that his death was a national tragedy.

“It is a national tragedy to lose this nation builder especially at this time when the nation is facing dire security challenges requiring all hands especially such knowledgeable and experienced hands on security as that of Kanu are expected to be on deck.

“Our hearts go out to his immediate and extended families, the people of South East and indeed to all Nigerians for the loss of this national iroko,” Okeke said.

The late Naval Officer who died on Jan. 13 was the first Military Administrator of old Imo which was made up of Abia and parts of Ebonyi.

He championed the development of the old Imo with giants strides in all sectors like the establishment of Imo Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) and others. (NAN)

Shalom, 11-week-old baby with heart problem, dies

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By Oluwafunke Ishola

The 11-week-old baby, Shalom Omoike, with a heart problem, hoping to travel abroad for a heart surgery, is dead.

His mother, Mrs Mercy Omoike, a journalist with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said on Wednesday that Shalom died on Sunday evening while waiting to travel for the surgery.

Omoike, while appreciating the gesture of kind hearted Nigerians that donated toward the surgery, said such payments into the publicised bank and “Go Fund Me Account’’ should stop.

She thanked kindhearted Nigerians and corporate organisations that had donated toward the planned heart surgery for Shalom.

“We, however, regret to announce the death of the baby. The baby boy died on Jan. 10, after a brief illness,’’ she said.

Recall that Omoike had earlier sought the support of kind-hearted Nigerians to raise N7.5 million for surgery to save the baby born with a heart problem.

Omoike said the baby boy was born on Oct. 23, with a heart problem.

According to her, the financial support was needed for Shalom’s surgery, visa, and travel expens­es to India for the surgical intervention.

NAN reports that Mr Buki Ponle, the Managing Director of NAN had also on Jan. 8, launched a #SaveShalom Appeal Fund to save the baby. (NAN)

20 doctors contract COVID-19 in Kwara

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By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
At least 20 doctors have been infected with COVID-19 at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), an official has disclosed.

Dr Badmus Habeeb, President of UITH chapter of Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Ilorin.

He said that members of the association were battling with the pandemic based on available resources.

“About 20 of our members have been infected with the virus in the past two to three weeks. I must reiterate that this is not the best of times for us, our families and the affected patients,” he said.

Habeeb, however, said that the discovery of COVID-19 vaccine has brought hope and relief to the people.

“There is a poor resource setting in the country, where basic necessities to make the roll out of the COVID-19 vaccines easy and possible, are not readily available.

“So it, therefore, seems we may never be able to get the vaccine anytime soon.

“Base on available evidence COVID-19 vaccine is effective and there is no reason why Nigerians should not follow the guide of scientific evidence, especially with proper information,” he said.

He advised the government to provide necessary resources and incentives to health workers across the country to help curb its spread.

“The public should adhere strictly to COVID-19 protocols as announced by NCDC,” he said.

Kaduna Govt. establishes 300 nutrition corners in health facilities

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By Philip Yatai

The Kaduna State Government has established no fewer than 300 nutrition corners in health facilities across the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state as part of strategies to fight malnutrition.

Mr Umar Bambale, Project Manager, Kaduna State Emergency Nutrition Action Plan (KADENAP), made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna on Wednesday.

Bambale explained that the nutrition corners were being used for food demonstration to teach women and caregivers how to prepare nutritious meals using available food items.

He said that the feat was achieved following the monthly release of N1 million by each local government area through the Ministry for Local Government Affairs for implementation of nutrition programmes in the LGAs.

“Our target is to ensure that all our health facilities have a food demonstration corner to educate mothers on ways to prepare nutritious meals for children under five years using available food.

“We had less than 100 nutrition corners in health facilities before the monthly release of the N1 million by the LGAs which started in July 2020.

“But with the consistent release of the funds we have been able to establish additional nutrition corners and procure the needed equipment, consumables and drugs in more than 300 health centres.

He commended the LGAs for the monthly release of the funds, adding that a utilisation template was designed by KADENAP to track and ensure judicious use of the funds.

The project manager said that part of the money was being used for Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM), Community Infant and Young Child Feeding (CIYCF) and Food and Nutrition programming and monitoring.

He said that the Local Government Food and Nutrition Committees meet every month to review activities, progress, and challenges in the implementation of nutrition interventions and find ways to address them.

He added that the wives of the LGA Chairmen also supervised nutrition activities in their respective local government areas and encouraged women to visit health centres to access nutrition services.

Bambale disclosed that the demand for nutrition services had increased over the years due to the massive awareness and sensitisation campaigns to nutrition by community volunteers.

Mrs Ramatu Haruna, the State Nutrition Officer, also said that the state government had trained 1,565 Community Volunteers and established 935 Support Groups in LGAs implementing CIYCF and CMAM.

Haruna explained that the community volunteers and the support groups were massively sensitising and mobilising mothers and caregivers to malnutrition and referring malnourished children to health facilities for treatment. (NAN)

Almost half of Bulgarians don’t want coronavirus vaccine – Poll

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Almost half of Bulgarians are against getting a Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination, according to a poll reported by local media on Tuesday.

Some 46 per cent of Bulgarians said they were against getting the jab, while 30 per cent said they would like to get vaccinated, according to the Gallup International poll.

Another 23 per cent of the respondents were undecided.

A total of 800 people were surveyed.

Some 48 per cent of respondents said they thought the vaccines were dangerous, while 34 per cent thought they were relatively harmless. 18 per cent did not answer or said they did not know.

In the country of 6.9 million people, just over 14,000 have already had the jab, according to official data.

Bulgaria’s five-phase coronavirus vaccination campaign began on Dec. 27.

Doctors and nurses received a first dose of the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine.

The government in Sofia aims to vaccinate 70 per cent of the population.

A first delivery of Moderna vaccine doses is expected on Wednesday.

A partial lockdown in Bulgaria put in place a month and a half ago has curbed case numbers.

Since the pandemic started, the country has recorded some 200,000 cases and over 8,000 deaths.

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