Edo receives 40,000 more doses of COVID-19 vaccines

The Edo State Government, during the weekend, received additional 40,000 doses of Astrazeneca COVID-19 vaccines to further strengthen the government’s efforts at protecting more citizens against the coronavirus pandemic.

Executive Secretary of Edo State Primary Healthcare Agency, Julie Erhabor, disclosed this to journalists at the Benin Airport, when she led the state’s COVID-19 team to receive the vaccines from the Federal Government.

Erhabor said on the 20th of August 2021, the state received 11,696 doses of Astrazeneca vaccines and has now taken delivery of additional 40,000 doses to cater for more people.

She said, “We just received 40,000 more doses of Astrazeneca vaccines. We got additional doses today, and hopefully, before the end of this month, we should be able to exhaust these 40,000 doses of Astrazeneca vaccines that we received from Abuja.”

Reassuring the government’s commitment to containing the pandemic through the vaccination of more Edo citizens, the health expert said the government has intensified the second phase vaccination exercise across all communities in the state to enable it achieve herd immunity against the virus

Nigeria: COVID-19 Claims 11 Lives On Friday

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has disclosed that 11 patients died in Nigeria from coronavirus (COVID-19) on Friday.

The NCDC, which made this known via its verified website on Saturday morning, said the country’s fatality toll from the pandemic now stood at 2,211.

The agency added that the country logged 636 additional infections on Friday, 117 fewer than the 753 cases recorded on Thursday. COVID-19 cumulative cases now stand at 181,297.

According to the NCDC, the additional 636 infections were confirmed in 16 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Lagos State, the epicentre of the COVID-19 in Nigeria, recorded the lion share on Friday with 291 cases, followed by Rivers with 117 cases.

Taraba State registered 58;  Akwa Ibom 54; Kwara 28; Ekiti and  Ogun recorded 14 infections each.

The FCT recorded 13 new cases; Oyo State 11; Edo 9; Osun 6;  Bayelsa 5; Delta and Gombe 4 each; Abia and Plateau 3 each and Sokoto State 1.

The agency points out that a multi-sectoral national Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), activated at Level 2 is coordinating the national response activities.

The NCDC said that since the outbreak of the pandemic in Nigeria in February 2020, it had tested more than 2,589,130, samples for the disease.

It noted that 12,366 cases were still active in the country with many being managed at accredited isolation centres while others were being managed at home.

It disclosed that a total of 149 patients recovered from the disease and were discharged from various isolation centres on Friday.

The NCDC put the total recoveries nationwide since the onset of the pandemic at 166,709. (NAN)

COVID-19: FG announces date for phase 2 vaccination

The Federal Government on Monday announced August 16 to begin administering the second batch of COVID-19 Moderna vaccine doses donated by the United States.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made the announcement when he featured on “Good Morning Nigeria’’, a live programme of the Nigerian Television Authority.

The minister said the postponement of the vaccination exercise from August 10 to August 16 was “purely administrative’’.

“We have received 4,800,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine and we will commence administering the doses on Monday August 16.

“The exercise was supposed to commence tomorrow Aug. 10, but we suspended it till Monday, and the reason is purely administrative.

“You see, when vaccines arrive the country, they are taken to National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)

“The agency which will analyse them and thereafter give us a green light for their use,’’ he said.

The minister debunked reports in certain publications that the exercise was postponed indefinitely over concerns raised by some experts on the propriety of using Moderna vaccines.

He said, like the first batch of the Astrazeneca vaccine which had been fully administered without hitch, the doses of Moderna vaccine donated to the country by the US were “safe and meant to save lives’’

“I want to thank Nigerians for the way they responded to the first batch of Astrazeneca Vaccine.

“I can say authoritatively that we succeeded in administering the four million doses of the vaccine and we do not have a single expired vaccine.

“They were all administered to the targeted population.

“I want to encourage Nigerians to come out also to take the Moderna vaccine,” he added.

35 Test Positive For COVID-19 At Ogun NYSC Camp

No fewer than 35 persons have tested positive for COVID-19 at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camp in Sagamu, Ogun State.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing newsmen on the upsurge of the third wave of COVID-19.

About 109 prospective corps members were diagnosed with COVID-19 across NYSC orientation camps nationwide.

On Thursday, the Commissioner said some of those who tested positive have been confined to the isolation centers, while others are on home management.

“The number of NYSC members that have tested positive is 35. Some are on home management, while some are at the isolation center,” she said.

Rising Cases In Ogun

Coker expressed concerns that Ogun has recorded a rise in cases since the beginning of August, with at least 7 to 16 cases per day.

She said, “Ogun State has continued to record a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases, with a 6 fold increase in admissions into the isolation centre compared to what was recorded 2 months earlier.

“In the month of June 2021, there were only two cases giving a positivity rate of 0.04% while the month of July had a sharp rise of 96 cases with positivity rate of 7.4%.

“The first 3 days in the month of August has also seen a rise in positivity rate of 14.6%. Isolation WARD at OOUTH which had only 2 admissions in June currently has 12 persons on admission whilst isolation ward at Ikenne has 35 admissions with 71 on home management.

“Death rate had remained relatively static at 50 till July 15 after which we recorded 7 deaths in the last two weeks.

“In the last one week, there has been a sharp rise in new cases from 7 per day to 16 per day.”

‘Mortalities In The Unvaccinated’

The Commissioner also lamented that only small fraction of the state’s population had been vaccinated.

She told citizens to embrace vaccination, saying “Our observation so far is that all mortalities are in the unvaccinated.”

Coker said “His excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun would like to thank every one for making the phase one COVID-19 vaccination exercise a huge success with a total of 126,631 vaccinated for the first dose which translated to 136% of our target population for the Phase 1 exercise while 57,453 were vaccinated for the second dose.

“The foregoing figures represent a very small fraction of our population in Ogun State and to achieve herd immunity in the State we must vaccinate at least 70% of the population.

“In order to achieve the above another opportunity has come with the commencement the 2nd phase of the vaccination of the vaccination exercise across the twenty LGAs this month.

“Let me also seize this opportunity to encourage everyone 18 and above that is yet to be vaccinated to present themselves in the next round of vaccination exercise at the nearest vaccination centres.

“Our observation so far is that all mortalities are in the unvaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective and offers protection against the disease.
Please continue to wear your mask properly, wash your hands frequently, observe physical distancing and where possible, avoid a crowd.”

COVID-19 won’t be last pandemic – WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that COVID-19 might not be the last pandemic the world would witness.

WHO Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, stated this at the ninth General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Epidemiological Society of Nigeria held in Port Harcourt.

Mulombo noted that Coronavirus has provided Nigeria and the global community an opportunity to strengthen immunisation, build capacity of health workers and strengthen disease surveillance.

“COVID-19 pandemic has taught us a great lesson on preparedness.

“It is not yet over. It may not likely be the last pandemic. Therefore, we must sustain the tempo,” Mulombo said.

As at Monday morning, Nigeria has 174,315 confirmed cases and had recorded 2,149 deaths, amid fear of a third wave of COVID-19.

479 Killed As Cholera Spreads To 18 States

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) disclosed this in it latest situation report.

It said since the beginning of this year, a total of 19,305 suspected cases have been recorded and that the disease has spread to 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The states were listed as Benue, Delta, Zamfara, Gombe, Bayelsa, Kogi, Sokoto, Bauchi, Kano, and Kaduna.

Others are Plateau, Kebbi, Cross River, Niger, Nasarawa, Jigawa, Yobe, Kwara and the FCT.

“As at July 11, 2021, a total of 19,305 suspected cases including 479 deaths (CFR 2.5%) have been reported from 18 states and FCT since the beginning of 2021.”

“Of the reported cases since the beginning of the year, 11.0% are aged 5 – 14 years. Of all suspected cases, 52% are males and 48% are females,” the report read.

The report said there has been an increase in the number of new cases in Bauchi, Kano Jigawa and Kwara.

According to the report, Cholera killed 31 people between July 5 and July 11, 2021.

Cholera is an acute diarrhoea disease caused by a bacteria called vibrio cholera. It is a potentially life-threatening, and primarily a water-borne disease.

Symptoms of the disease include nausea and vomiting , dehydration which can lead to shock, kidney injury and sudden death , passage of profuse pale and milky, watery stool (rice water coloured), and body weakness.

China Donates 470,000 Doses Of COVID Vaccine To Nigeria

The Chinese government has donated 470,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines to Nigeria.

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, CUI Jianchun, made the disclosure Friday evening during a visit to the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire in Abuja.

He said the vaccines are expected to arrive in the country soon.

Jianchun said the vaccines were donated to support the country’s fight against COVID-19 in furtherance of the cooperation between the two countries.

“This is perfect proof of the excellent quality of the relationship between our two peoples,” he said.

Minister of Health, on his part, said Nigeria was waiting for the arrival of the vaccines, noting that the country ran out of COVID-19 vaccines since July 8, 2021.

He said China had done a lot to help Nigeria’s development, adding that “if some relationships like that are to blossom, we will continue to nourish it.”

“And also it doesn’t only help us to address the gaps that we have in the healthcare system, but also generally in other kinds of gaps that we have,” he added.

Nigeria has administered at least 3,938,945 doses of COVID-19 vaccines since the programme started in March.

So far, the country has reported 170,122 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with a death toll of 2,130, since it recorded its first positive case on February 27, 2020, according to the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center in the United States, which tracks the global outbreak.

Monkeypox: NCDC Registers 59 Suspected Cases,15 Confirmed

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has registered 59 suspected cases of Monkeypox with 15 confirmed, its Director-General, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, said on Tuesday in Abuja.

Ihekweazu was reacting to the situation of Dallas, Texas resident, who recently returned from Nigeria and tested positive to the disease.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that it was the first confirmed case of the virus in the U.S. since 2003, with health officials saying that the public should not be concerned.

Laboratory tests confirmed that the patient was infected with a strain of the virus mainly seen in West Africa, which included Nigeria

“While rare, this case is not a reason for alarm and we do not expect any threat to the general public,” Dallas County Judge, Clay Jenkins, said in a statement by Dallas County’s health department.

With passengers wearing masks on the flight and in the airport, the health department said that the risk of spreading monkeypox via respiratory droplets to others on the planes and in the airports was low.

Ihekweazu told NAN that just as the agency responded to other epidemic prone diseases in the country, an outbreak would be declared when there was a large cluster of monkeypox cases that constituted an emergency.

“The Federal Government was notified of the situation in Texas, through the International Health Regulations (IHR), who reported a case of monkeypox disease diagnosed in a patient who had recently visited Nigeria.

“Since the re-emergence of monkeypox in the country in September 2017, the agency has continued to receive reports and responses to sporadic cases of the disease from states across the country.

“We have been working closely with state health ministries to strengthen monkeypox disease surveillance and response in the country.

“We work with Enhanced Monkeypox Surveillance Project where we have been training health workers across states to rapidly detect and manage cases.

“Our initial focus is on the states with the highest number of cases – Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Lagos.

“We will continue working with all states to strengthen monkeypox prevention, detection and control in Nigeria,” he explained.

He urged Nigerians to continue adhering to precautions that protected them from monkeypox and other infectious diseases.

“If you feel ill or have a sudden rash, please visit a hospital for diagnosis and management,” he advised.

NAN recalls that Monkeypox, which is in the same family of viruses as smallpox, is a rare but potentially deadly viral infection that begins with flu-like symptoms and progresses to a rash on the face and body.

It tends to last two to four weeks. People who do not have symptoms are not capable of transmitting the virus.

Monkeypox infections of that strain are fatal in about one in 100 people, affecting those with weakened immune systems more strongly. (NAN)

COVID-19 third wave: Sanwo-Olu issues order to residents as Lagos is placed on red alert

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has told residents to adhere strictly to the safety protocols in the state.

This comes after Lagos was placed on red alert along with the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and five other states by the Federal Government.

The Delta variant of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Nigeria amid the rising number of infections and hospitalization in the country.

Sanwo-Olu, speaking at the presentation of the party flag to all the chairmanship candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the forthcoming Local Government Elections on July 24, 2021, said: “Government will continue to do its best to manage the situation but citizens must play their own part by adhering strictly to the protocol.

“We are monitoring the positivity rate; we are doing two things, we don’t want to unnecessarily scare people and at the same time, ensure that we are very proactive.

“On a daily basis, we are checking the rate of positivity and we are managing it. But that having been said, everybody is expected to act responsibly, to protect themselves and their families. And that is why as a responsible government, we tell our people the truth and being transparent.

“Where we are now; we are communicating efficiently to our citizens, please where you do not need to gather, please don’t gather. Where you cannot avoid unnecessary non-COVID-19 compliance, don’t go there.

“If you want to go out please wear your face mask, please adhere strictly to protocol.

“We are doing everything to ensure that we flatten the curve.

“We have open isolation centers and the Federal Government has assured us that by the end of August, we are going to get another batch of vaccine and we will start rolling out the vaccination exercise again.”

Why we didn’t approve herbal medicine for COVID-19 treatment —NAFDAC

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has given reasons why it has not approved any herbal medicine for the treatment of COVID-19.

This is contained in a statement signed by the agency resident Media Consultant, Mr Olusayo Akintola, and issued to newsmen on Sunday, in Abuja.

The statement quoted Prof Moji Adeyeye, NAFDAC Director-General, as saying that “no single drug has been found yet to cure COVID -19.”

Adeyeye also warned Nigerians against excessive consumption of onions and garlic with a view to curing COVID-19, saying, ‘’If you eat too much your breath will be smelling and nobody will want to stay by you.”

She said that medicinal products available now could only help ease symptoms and up the odds of survival.

She warned Nigerian researchers and other herbal medicine practitioners to desist from parading unverified medicine for the virus.

She said that any product without NAFDAC approval for the cure of COVID-19 is null and void, adding that such an act was a violation of the national regulatory authorities and a breach of protocols.

She admitted that onions or garlic or any of the natural fruits that we take have antioxidants and nutrients that can help us feel better, adding that people might have been using it and they get better.

“If it is not documented, it cannot be recognised by NAFDAC for COVID – 19. They work on our cells to keep people healthier, but not to cure COVID – 19. They help our body to function better. There is no cure for COVID -19 yet,” she said.

She added that they may boost the immunity and the person may not be easily susceptible to infection, adding that ‘’even with that, you still have to protect yourself.

“If you eat garlic and onion and you don’t use face mask, you will get COVID -19. If you are in a bad environment; If you don’t wash your hands, you will get COVID -19.

“Everything has to be put together. University of Jos said that there was herbal medicine, whether it is tea or whatever, that can cure COVID-19, they linked it with the treatment of COVID -19, they did the packaging.

‘’We did a letter to warn them that they cannot claim something unless it has gone through our listing process. They were trying to sell it to their staff. That is violation of our own regulatory policies.

“Nobody should say that this one can cure this or that without going through NAFDAC listing process, the research into herbal medicine by the academia is normal.

‘’It is now for the academia to also recognise the national regulatory authority established to safeguard the safety of the Nigerian populace, by ensuring that the product that they are working on has to go through NAFDAC,” Adeyeye said.

According to her, there have been one or two cases where the University of Jos product was being encouraged to be used by people without going through NAFDAC.

She said that the university was supposed to go through the national regulatory authority and pave the way for NAFDAC to declare it safe for consumption.

The DG insisted that her agency must approve the clinical trial protocol, stressing that ‘’If they don’t do that but go ahead to market and sell their product, such act would be a violation of regulatory procedures.

According to her, some people might have been using it and they got better, but without being approved scientifically and documented, we may not be able to guarantee its safety for human consumption.

She recalled that NAFDAC set up a herbal medicine product committee in March 2019 before the pandemic broke out, to advance research in herbal medicine.

Adeyeye said that the goal for such idea was to make sure that the herbalist and the researcher were collaborating, so that whatever the herbalist knows from ancestral history that the research will back it up.

She explained further that collaboration with researcher would enable such herbal medicine to be advanced and to be listed by NAFDAC, if found safe for consumption.

According to her, during the pandemic there were lots of assertions that there were herbal medicines, that could be used to treat symptoms of COVID -19, pointing out that there was no single medicine that has been identified yet.

“But there are herbal medicines that could alleviate symptoms of COVID -19. However, NAFDAC has not granted registration of approval for any medicine for that.

“NAFDAC approves such medicines for listing, it means that it’s been tested and was deemed safe to use. NAFDAC cannot say herbal medicine can treat COVID -19, until clinical trial is done.

“Right now, there is no single herbal medicine that has gone through full clinical trial the way clinical trial is supposed to be done,” she said.

According to her, to do official clinical trial, you must write a protocol, you must pass it through the National Health Research Ethical Committee (NHREC), and you must pass it through NAFDAC.”

She said that the agency has not given any pass mark as regards COVID-19 herbal medicine, but that the agency has approved some herbal medicines that they claim can alleviate some of the symptoms of COVID -19.