NCDC Announces New Symptoms For Covid-19

The Nigeria Centre For Disease Control(NCDC) has announced a new case definition for Coronavirus due to community transmission in parts of the country.

Recall that Akin Abayomi, Lagos State commissioner for health, had said that cases of community transmission were on the rise.

Community transmission means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected.

The centre said in a tweet on Sunday that symptoms of suspected cases include cough and fever, but has now added to the list.

It also added that people with history of fever in the last 2 weeks with 1 or more of the following symptoms would now be listed as suspected cases of the virus.

Listed symptoms are ;
Shivering /shaking (chills)
• Body pain
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Recent loss of taste or smell
• Difficulty in breathing/shortness of breath
• Diarrhea/abdominal pain
• Runny nose/catarrh
• Fatigue (tiredness)

On the other hand, the NCDC said a probable case of COVID-19 include any person that presented any of the above symptoms in the last two weeks and died without a confirmatory COVID-19 test.

As of May 2, the country had a total of
2388 confirmed cases of COVID19.

Things You Must Do If You Come In Contact With A COVID-19 Patient.

By Peter Akpah

Things You Must Do If You Come In Contact With A COVID-19 Patient.

With the rate at which COVID-19 is spreading, there are chances that anyone could contract the virus.

However, rather than panic, one must be sure of what to do if he or she comes in contact with a COVID-19 patient.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), here is what you should do if you come in close contact with a COVID-19 patient.

First, you must acknowledge that if you have been in close contact with someone who has had COVID-19, then you may be infected.

With this established, you must now seek medical help.

When you attend the health facility, wear a mask if possible, keep at least one metre distance from other people and do not touch surfaces with your hands.

If it is a child who is sick, help the child using the same advice of wearing masks, keeping a distance and avoiding touching surfaces and face.

If you do not live in an area with malaria, it is advised that you:

– Self-isolate if you become ill with mild symptoms

– Stay self-isolated even if you don’t think you have been exposed to COVID-19 but develop symptoms, monitor yourself.

– If you do not have symptoms but have been exposed to an infected person, self-quarantine for 14days.

For those who have had a definite confirmation of COVID-19, self-isolate for 14days even after symptoms have disappeared as a precautionary measure.

It is not yet known exactly how long people remain infectious after they have recovered.

N/B: Close contact means that you live with or have been in settings of less than one metre from those who have the virus.

Northern Governors Mourns Emir of Rano

By Peter Akpah

NORTHERN GOVERNORS MOURN EMIR OF RANO; EULOGISE FIRST CIVILIAN GOVERNOR OF BORNO STATE.

The Northern States Governors Forum has commiserated with the people and Government of Kano State and the Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs over the death of Emir of Rano, Alhaji Tafida Abubakar Ila Auta Bawo.

Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong in a statement described the death of the Emir as shocking and painful.

He said “We mourn the passing of the Royal Father, whose words of wisdom, and pursuit for peace and tolerance stood him out and endeared him to his subjects and people outside his domain. His death surely creates a huge vacuum as it came at a time when Kano State and his subjects needed him most for the fight against COVID-19, which is a major challenge confronting the State and the nation”.

Lalong urged Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, family of the late Royal Father, and the Emirate to be comforted by the wonderful legacies and good works of the deceased which he hopes will be emulated and passed to generations yet to come.

The Forum also prayed that the almighty God will forgive the shortcomings of the late Emir and grant his soul eternal rest.

Similarly, the Northern States Governors Forum has condoled with the people and Government of Borno State over the passing of the first civilian Governor of the State, Alhaji Mohammed Goni, who died at the age of 78.

The Forum extolled his virtues of dedication, honesty and sacrifice to the development of Borno State where he laid a solid foundation for growth and prosperity.

They recalled that as pioneer civilian Governor, late Alhaji Goni stood for good governance and prepared the ground for a strong democratic culture that keeps resonating, despite the challenges of insurgency that Borno State and Nigeria has had to contend with in recent times.

They extended their heartfelt sympathies to their colleague Governor Babagana Zullum and prayed that God will comfort his family and grant his soul eternal rest.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham, ANIPR
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State and Chairman, Northern Governors Forum.
3rd May, 2020.

Plateau Record 2 More Covid-19 Case in The 220 Newly Recorded in Nigeria Total Infections 2,388.

By Peter Akpah

Nigeria Records 220 New Cases Of COVID-19, Total Infections Now 2,388

Nigeria has recorded 220 new cases of the novel coronavirus, bringing the country’s total infections to 2,388.

According to a tweet by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Saturday, of the new infections, 62 are in Lagos, 52 from the FCT, 31 in Kaduna and 13 from Sokoto.

The number of deaths from the virus also rose to 85 while 385 have now recovered.

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 241,682 people worldwide since the outbreak first emerged in China in December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1900 GMT on Saturday.

More than 3,398,390 cases were registered in 195 countries and territories. Of these, at least 1,023,900 are now considered recovered.

The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections.

Many countries are testing only the most serious cases.

Over the past 24 hours, 6,167 new deaths have been recorded and 94,645 new infections around the world.

The countries with the newest fatalities over the 24-hour period were the United States with 2,518, Britain with 621 and Italy with 474.

The United States has the highest number of total deaths with 65,645 out of 1,121,414 cases. At least 164,015 have been declared recovered.

Italy has the second-highest toll with 28,710 deaths out of 209,328 cases, followed by Britain with 28,131 deaths from 182,260 cases, Spain 25,100 deaths and 216,582 cases and France with 24,760 deaths and 168,396 cases.

The country with the highest proportion of fatalities per population is Belgium, with 67 deaths per 100,000 people, followed by Spain with 54, Italy with 47, Britain with 41 and France with 38.

China — excluding Hong Kong and Macau — has to date declared 4,633 deaths and 82,875 cases. It has 77,642 recovered cases.

Europe has a total of 142,223 deaths from 1,521,847 cases, the United States and Canada have 69,278 deaths and 1,177,994 cases, Latin America and the Caribbean have 12,533 deaths and 234,032 cases, Asia has 8,919 deaths and 233,465 cases, the Middle East has 6,879 deaths and 180,721 cases, Africa has 1,730 deaths from 42,229 cases, and Oceania 120 deaths from 8,102 cases.

Nigeria currently Tracing 12,000 Covid-19 Contacts

By Peter Akpah

The Director-General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Friday announced that the agency is currently tracing about 12,000 persons who have had contact with confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu who made this known while responding to questions from journalists at the Presidential Task Force briefing on COVID-19 added that this figure is however fluid as the contacts increase daily.

“The number of contacts is very fluid because with every new case, there is a new contact. But we are following up about cumulatively 12,000 contacts across the country from the beginning of the outbreak,” the NCDC boss said.

Ihekweazu speaking further on lack of adequate bed spaces for COVID-19 patients across the country stressed that this still remains a challenge.

According to him, the 3,500 bed spaces available across the country is no enough and no states in Nigeria has fulfilled the bed space capacity needed to respond to the outbreak.

He called on private individuals who have facilitates that can be used as isolation centres to help in their various states.

“There is no state in Nigeria, even Lagos that has fully fulfilled the bed capacity that they need to respond to this outbreak.

“No single state in Nigeria has achieved that,” he said.

Nigeria currently has 21,70 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across 34 states of the country including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Only 319 persons have been discharged while 68 deaths have, so far, been recorded.

Lalong Grants Monday 4th May As Lockdown-Free Day, However 8pm Curfew Starting 4th May 2020 Will Be Enforced

By Peter Akpah

GOVERNOR LALONG GRANTS MONDAY 4TH MAY 2020 AS LOCKDOWN-FREE DAY.

Following appeals by a cross section of citizens of Plateau State and in the spirit of the 2020 May Day Celebrations, Governor Simon Bako Lalong has granted Monday 4th May as lockdown-free, to enable people conduct transactions which they could not carry out on Friday 1st May due to the public holiday marking Workers Day.

Consequently, citizens are to use the day to access services such as banking transactions which were closed because of the May Day public holiday.

However, they are enjoined to note that the curfew directed by the Federal Government will be in force from 8pm, Monday 4th May, while the total lockdown and restriction on intra-Local Government movements earlier announced by the Governor will resume on
Tuesday 5th May, 2020.

The Governor reiterates that earlier guidelines for social distancing, observation of hygiene and sanitation, inter-State border closure, as well as the use of face masks in public places among others remain in place.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham, ANIPR
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
1st May 2020.

Covid-19 Mgt Commitee Chairman Hon Shehu Inugurates Covid-19 Rapid Response Team For Contact Tracing in Josnorth.

By Peter Akpah Contact tracing has been described as an important intervention in the fight against COVID 19.Management Committee Chairman of Jos North Local Government Shehu Usman stated this shortly after Inaugurating a 19 man rapid response team of Jos North Local Government Area held at the Council Secretariat,in Jos.The rapid response team is constituted by the management Committee Chairman of Jos North Local Government Shehu Usman with the aimed to establish a good contact mechanism that will identify suspected person to investigate and notify the Committee so that their data will be captured and investigate in during the incubation period to contain the spread of COVID 19 pandemic in the Area.The Chairman enjoined citizens to report any suspected case of COVID 19 pandemic or any returning to 07063351404_-08067773214–08069216696–08036229305–07031941832–08036346963.Usman called on citizens in area to cooperate with the Committee for the betterment of the all citizens.The Committee was drawn from senior Health workers from the council, Water and sanitation Department and Agric Department and their partners from the WHO are members of the Rapid respond team Committee.Responding on behalf of other members, the Chairman of the committee Mrs Rebecca Ninang thank the Management Committee Chairman jos North Shehu Usman for finding them worthy to served in that capacity and pledge their unflinching resolved to repose the trust bestowed on them.Philip Eplong Senior Information Officer

Northern Governors To Purchase Covid-19 Mobile Testing Van And Strengthen Border Closures

By Peter Akpah

NORTHERN GOVERNORS MEET, RESOLVE TO PURCHASE COVID-19 MOBILE TEST VANS AND STRENGTHEN BORDER CLOSURES

The Northern Governors Forum met on May 1st, 2020 to continue their discussions on tackling the Corona Virus Pandemic in the region.
The meeting which again held via teleconferencing was presided over by Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong.

The Forum reviewed some of the issues they earlier raised such as the request for more COVID-19 Testing Centres in the North which are grossly inadequate.
They acknowledged some improvement through the intervention of the Federal Government, but said it was still a far cry going by its population and increase in COVID-19 cases.
They therefore decided to purchase mobile Testing Vans which they believe will facilitate testing in the rural areas.
The Forum also expressed deep appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for his quick intervention in Kano State because of the spike in the number of COVID-19 infections recently.

On the issue of inter-State border closure, the Northern Governors expressed serious concern that despite their efforts, the borders are still being compromised and more illegal routes are being created which is giving rise to more inter-State transfer of COVID-19. They also noted that some of the trucks transporting goods are also used in smuggling people across States in violation of movement regulations.
They therefore decided to close all their borders from 6pm to 7am to all trucks carrying goods so as to enable proper scrutiny and examination the following day, which is difficult to achieve in the night when most of the infractions happen.
They also agreed to increase the use of vigilante groups, neighbourhood watch, and traditional rulers in enforcing the border closures.
On the profiling and return of Almajiris to their States of origin, the Governors noted that the exercise has commenced and is going on well except for some few logistic challenges, which are being addressed, between Governors of originating and receiving States.
They also agreed that Almajiris sent from one State to another should be profiled, tested and accompanied by State officials and their Alaramas (teachers) to facilitate the process of settling in.
They were also briefed on the post-COVID-19 Economic Blueprint for Northern Region by Chairman of the Committee Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State who said the document is being developed and will soon be presented to the Forum.
They also mandated the Governors of Kebbi, Katsina, Borno, and Plateau to engage the leadership of Security Agencies on the threat of banditry, terrorism and kidnapping on agriculture in the north as farmers are afraid to go their farms for fear of attacks.
The Northern Governors also commended the efforts of the Private Sector led Coalition Against Corona Virus (COCAVID) which has commenced the distribution of palliatives to States.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham, ANIPR.
Director of Press & Public Affairs
to the Governor of Plateau State
& Chairman, Northern Governors Forum
1st May 2020.

Lalong Has Congratulated Nigerian Workers, Particularly Those in Plateau State For Their Sacrifices And Productivity.

By Peter Akpah

WORKERS DAY: GOVERNOR LALONG SALUTES PLATEAU WORKERS

Plateau State Governor and Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum Simon Bako Lalong has congratulated Nigerian workers, particularly those in Plateau State for their sacrifices and productivity in the development of the State and Nigeria PRESS STATEMENT

WORKERS DAY: GOVERNOR LALONG SALUTES PLATEAU WORKERS

Plateau State Governor and Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum Simon Bako Lalong has congratulated Nigerian workers, particularly those in Plateau State for their sacrifices and productivity in the development of the State and Nigeria as a whole.
Governor Lalong in a congratulatory message to mark this year’s Workers Day described Nigerian workers as the engine room for the progress and stability of Nigeria especially in critical times.
He said ” I want to use this opportunity to specially appreciate workers in Plateau State who have supported our Rescue Administration by ensuring that the engine of governance continues to operate seamlessly despite challenges. They have demonstrated this severally especially now that we are facing a common enemy, Corona Virus”.
Lalong said the workers agreed without any hesitation or compulsion to the recommendation of Government to suspend the implementation of the new minimum wage because of COVID-19.
He assured them that once the State recovers from the economic devastation of COVID-19, the Government will not hesitate to begin the implementation of the new minimum wage as agreed upon.
He reiterated that his administration will continue to keep faith with the workers by paying their salaries and emoluments as and when due and building their capacity through training and retraining.
The Governor commended workers on the Plateau for their contributions to the fight against COVID-19 particularly those on essential services such as water, energy, health, media, security and other workers who are in the frontline of combating the dreaded Corona Virus disease.
Lalong assured all Plateau State workers that their wellbeing will continue to be given priority while the process of recruiting new workers which has been suspended will resume anytime the State recovers from the economic impact of the Corona Virus pandemic that has depleted its resources and capacity to continue with the exercise.
While wishing the Workers a solemn May Day celebration, Lalong urged them to stay safe by fully observing all safety protocols and other measures put in place by Government to combat COVID-19.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham, ANIPR
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State and Chairman Northern Governor’s Forum
1st May 2020 a whole.
Governor Lalong in a congratulatory message to mark this year’s Workers Day described Nigerian workers as the engine room for the progress and stability of Nigeria especially in critical times.
He said ” I want to use this opportunity to specially appreciate workers in Plateau State who have supported our Rescue Administration by ensuring that the engine of governance continues to operate seamlessly despite challenges. They have demonstrated this severally especially now that we are facing a common enemy, Corona Virus”.
Lalong said the workers agreed without any hesitation or compulsion to the recommendation of Government to suspend the implementation of the new minimum wage because of COVID-19.
He assured them that once the State recovers from the economic devastation of COVID-19, the Government will not hesitate to begin the implementation of the new minimum wage as agreed upon.
He reiterated that his administration will continue to keep faith with the workers by paying their salaries and emoluments as and when due and building their capacity through training and retraining.
The Governor commended workers on the Plateau for their contributions to the fight against COVID-19 particularly those on essential services such as water, energy, health, media, security and other workers who are in the frontline of combating the dreaded Corona Virus disease.
Lalong assured all Plateau State workers that their wellbeing will continue to be given priority while the process of recruiting new workers which has been suspended will resume anytime the State recovers from the economic impact of the Corona Virus pandemic that has depleted its resources and capacity to continue with the exercise.
While wishing the Workers a solemn May Day celebration, Lalong urged them to stay safe by fully observing all safety protocols and other measures put in place by Government to combat COVID-19.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham, ANIPR
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State and Chairman Northern Governor’s Forum
1st May 2020

Coronavirus Treatment Breakthrough Announced

By Peter Akpah

An experimental drug has proven effective in treating COVID-19 patients, the head of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci, announced Wednesday.

“Remdesivir has a clear-cut, significant positive effect in diminishing the time to recover,” Fauci told reporters in the White House Oval Office. “A drug can block this virus.”

An international randomized placebo control trial at his institute started February 21 with hundreds of hospitalized coronavirus patients, Fauci said.

Recovery time was 11 days for those given the drug compared with 15 days for patients given a placebo, according to the NIAID and its parent agency, the National Institutes of Health.

“Whenever you have clear-cut evidence that a drug works, you have an ethical obligation to immediately let the people who are in the placebo group know so that they can have access, and all of the other trials that are taking place now have a new standard of care,” Fauci told reporters.

‘Beacon of hope’

“Today’s promising news from the NIH remdesivir trial is a beacon of hope for all Americans and everyone around the world waging war on the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar in a statement.

Remdesivir, manufactured by Gilead Sciences, is given intravenously and designed to interfere with an enzyme that reproduces viral genetic material. In animal tests against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), diseases caused by similar coronaviruses, it has helped prevent infection and reduced severity of symptoms. But it is not yet approved anywhere in the world for any use.

Lab technicians load vials of investigational coronavirus disease (COVID-19) treatment drug Remdesivir at a Gilead Sciences facility in La Verne, California, March 18, 2020. (Gilead Sciences Inc/Handout)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration was expected Wednesday to grant emergency-use authorization for treatment of COVID-19 patients. Another study of remdesivir had not reached a positive conclusion, something reporters asked Fauci about in the Oval Office.

“It’s an underpowered study,” Fauci said of a study out of China published in The Lancet that found remdesivir was not effective in treating COVID-19 patients. “That’s not an adequate study.”

As of Wednesday evening EDT, COVID-19 had killed more than 227,000 people worldwide, including 60,000 in the United States, according to Johns Hopkins University statistics.

Total U.S. confirmed infections exceeded 1 million, the most reported by any country in the world.

“That’s a tremendous amount,” U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday, calling it an “indication that our testing is so superior.”

To think that the United States has more cases than China, “does anybody really believe that?” Trump added.

China faulted

He again blamed China, where the coronavirus was first reported, and the World Health Organization for the pandemic.

“They misled us,” said Trump of the WHO, calling it “literally a pipe organ for China.”

“They’re not to be congratulated for what took place and WHO is essentially congratulating them,” Trump told reporters. “And when they start doing that, we’ve got problems.”

The president earlier this month halted U.S. funding to the organization, which annually totals $400 million to $500 million. The WHO has said it is working with its partners to fill the financial gap from the Trump administration’s decision to withhold the money.

The United States is WHO’s largest donor.

“We can give it to groups that are very worthy and get much more bang for your buck. We’re going to make a decision in the not-too-distant future,” Trump said.

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