The Lumine News

Category: COVID-19

  • Nigeria Is Approaching A Difficult Era In Response To The Novel Corona Virus Disease Outbreak

    Nigeria Is Approaching A Difficult Era In Response To The Novel Corona Virus Disease Outbreak

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire has stated that Nigeria is approaching a difficult era in response to the outbreak of corona virus disease.

    The minister gave the explanation at the Presidential Task Force (PTF) daily briefing on COVID19.

    Ehanire noted that as the COVID-19 pandemic increases and progress to community transmission level in Nigeria, health ministry and other relevant government agencies were continuously seeking measures to check or break the transmission of the pandemic.

    Speaking further, he held that the target was to identify all positive cases and isolate both the symptomatic and asymptomatic to safeguard the health of the rest of the population as well as provide care to the symptomatic.

    Ehanire posited that the ministry “is continuously monitoring and reviewing the situation and responding with the dispatch of teams of experts to provide technical support to high burden areas or states grappling with epidemic control issues”

  • Lagos State Government To Lock Down The State If Residents Continue To Ignore Public Health Rules

    Lagos State Government To Lock Down The State If Residents Continue To Ignore Public Health Rules

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said he may be forced to lock down the state again, if residents continue to ignore public health guidelines.

    Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had on Monday, May 4, eased the five-week lockdown he imposed on Lagos, Ogun and Abuja to check the spread of COVID-19.

    This not with standing, there seemed to have been chaos and rowdy scenes, since residents were allowed to move freely in Lagos.

    Sanwo-Olu speaking at a press briefing today, expressed his disenchantment over the crowd observed at various banks and markets across the state.

    His words “As a Government elected to uphold security of its citizens, which include health security, we will not hesitate to review the terms of the easing of lockdown if we do not see an improvement in adherence to our public health guidelines in the next couple of days.

    “We will be forced to take a painful decision of bringing the entire system under lockdown if we continue to see evidence that Lagosians are determined to flout the rules.

    Lagos still has the highest number of confirmed cases in Nigeria with 1,683 cases as at the last count.

  • Covid 19: C’River Begins Training Of 400 Health Workers As Support Staff

    Covid 19: C’River Begins Training Of 400 Health Workers As Support Staff

    By Admin

    Cross River State COVID-19 Response team working with the Ministry of Health has commenced the training of 400 hundred health workers and other auxiliary staff like the sanitarian, ambulance drivers surveillance officers, etc.

    The training began with training of trainers for Infection Prevention and Control of the Corona Virus Global Pandemic has continued to gain more volunteers and commendation for the state Government.

    The training of trainers exercise which was held at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital conference hall, will ensure that the State is up to date with upgrade of its level of preparedness as we work to prevent the spread of the COVID-19. It will be recalled that the Cross River State Government has been collaborating with the UCTH to train health workers at a small scale but now the state has decided to train in large scale.

    Declaring the training open on Friday, Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr. Betta Edu, who is also the Cross River State COVID-19 Chairman restated government’s commitment to keep Cross River State COVID-19 free.

    She said the state most important priority is to prevent the disease, and maintained that state will continue to do everything within its might to improve the level of preparedness for the COVID -19 response in the state. The Commissioner reminded other participants that the state will be depending on them as trainers to equip others with the technical knowledge on how to handle the Infection Prevention and Control of this Virus.

    Edu addede that persons trained are expected to work at the three Isolation centers in the state with a 120 bed capacity put together. “Am so pleased with the large turnout of skilled professional volunteers. We are indeed together on this” she thanked The management of UCTH for all the support.

    The Chief Medical Director, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH, Professor Ikpeme Ikpeme, represented By the CMAC, commended the Governor, Senator Ben Ayade and the Health Commissioner, Dr Betta Edu for putting all efforts towards ensuring that the State continues to maintain her COVID-19 free status. He commended the government for it support to the institution, noting that the training will go along way to provide more skilled manpower for the response.

    The training will be done with twenty persons per each batch simultaneously at various venues in Calabar and Ogoja LGA.

  • President Buhari Reveals Total Amount In Covid -19 Donation Account

    President Buhari Reveals Total Amount In Covid -19 Donation Account

    By John Owen N. – Daily Post

    As the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 continues to roll out measures on how to curtial the spread of the pandemic in the country and manage its health and economic implications, President Muhammadu Buhari has commended public-spirited Nigerians and organisations for their financial and material support.

    President Buhari also revealed the total amount in the five bank accounts designated for the COVID-19 contribution.

    In a statement signed by his Spokesman, Garba Shehu and made available to DAILY POST on Friday, Buhari cited the provision of isolation, treatment and laboratory centres/facilities by individuals and companies such as Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, Guaranty Trust Bank and ThisDay Newspapers and Partners among others in several states and Federal Capital Territory.

    The President called on other privileged Nigerians and bodies to emulate these laudable gestures.

    According to President Buhari, “We are facing a national challenge and all hands must be on deck to navigate this difficult course. In this respect, all types of assistance are welcome, big or small. The spirit behind the contributions is salutary.”

    Records obtained from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation about lodgements from 111 individuals and organisations into the FGN Covid-19 Eradication Support Accounts in the five designated banks between April 1-30, 2020, indicated the total sum of Six Hundred and Ninety Seven million, Five Hundred and Thirty-Eight Thousand, One Hundred and Eight Naira only (N697, 538, 108.00).

    The above consists small payments of N5, N10, N14, N20 by individuals to huge deposits of N200 million by Dantata Property Development; N100 million by Ocean Trust Ltd; N25 million by NSITF; N20 million by Ebele and Anyichuks Foundation; N15 million by Nizamiya Hospital Abuja; and N10 million each by Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship and Association of Bureau De Change (BDC) respectively, among others.

  • Corona Virus: No Cure Has Been Found Yet -Mustapha

    Corona Virus: No Cure Has Been Found Yet -Mustapha

     

     

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force PTF on Civic-19, Boss Mustapha, says no cure has been found for coronavirus.

    Mustapha stated this at the PTF daily media briefing on Friday in Abuja.

    He maintained that everybody is only trying to lay hands on possible drugs.

    The PTF Chairman opined that even countries with big economies are yet to find a cure for the virus.

    His words “We have seen many postulations but nobody can beat his chest and say I have found a cure. We are looking at home remedy and if we find, then we can beat our chest that the solution emerges from here”

    He assured the PTF would keep the agenda of a local solution in focus.

     

  • NCDC Releases 381 Fresh Cases Of Covid 19

    NCDC Releases 381 Fresh Cases Of Covid 19

    By Admin

    The continuous rise in the number of confirmed cases of corona virus in the country is debilitating, NCDC on Thursday recorded a total number of 381 new cases in the country.

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, made this known on its Twitter page on Thursday night.

    Lagos and Kano States recorded 183 and 55 cases respectively.

    Going by this figure as reported,  Nigeria has a total of 3526 cases of the disease.

    The statement reads “381 new cases of #COVID19;

    183-Lagos, 55-Kano, 44-Jigawa, 19-Zamfara

    19-Bauchi, 11-Katsina, 9-Borno, 8-Kwara, 7-Kaduna, 6-Gombe, 5-Ogun, 4-Sokoto, 3-Oyo

    3-Rivers, 2-Niger, 1-Akwa Ibom, 1-Enugu and 1-Plateau State.

    “3526 cases of #COVID19 in Nigeria

    “Discharged: 601, Deaths: 107.”

    Lagos is said yo have recorded the highest cases in a day having recorded 183 cases of corona virus.

  • Covid 19 Palliatives: C’River Begins House-To-House Engagement To Update The Single Social Register

    Covid 19 Palliatives: C’River Begins House-To-House Engagement To Update The Single Social Register

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    In compliance with the directives of Governor Ben Ayade to update  the Single Social Register to ease the distribution of relief materials to the poor and vulnerable people in Cross River State inline with the Federal Government policy,the State Ministry of International Development Cooperation has commenced the house to house engagement of citizens in the villages.

    The event which started at the “Urban Village” of Mekenge in Calabar Municipality Area Council, was led by the  Commissioner for International Development Cooperation, Dr. Inyang Asibong to monitor the index of the Community under appraisal and  examine the  verification exercise of the Youth Employment and Social Support Operation (YESSO) progrqmme.

    Accompanied by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Eric Anderson who isb a native of Calabar Municipality, Asibong said, the exercise served a dual purpose of updating the current register with details of household under the poverty threshold and also follow up on those previously registered to ensure that the previous interventions  are judiciously utilized.

    “Today we are here in Mekenge Community of Calabar Municipal Council to carry out a verification exercise to update the Single Register for Poor and Vulnerable Households (SRPVH).

    “We will also seized the opportunity to further sensitize your  community on the deadly coronavirus pandemic and the need to be very proactive in following the preventive measures of the State Government.” said Asibong.

    On his part, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism,Hon Eric Anderson urged the community to continue to support the State Government, especially as the State is working assiduously to mitigate against the containment of the coronavirus pandemic into the state.

    Some of the  potential beneficiaries who were identified base on the index verifications includes  Mr. Nsa Samuel William, Mr. Victor Udofia Ekpo and Mrs. Arit Edet Asuquo who expressed delight for being chosen by their community for inclusion in the register as they have been living in extreme penury before this intervention.

    The National Bureau of Statistics put the Poverty index in the country  at 40.1% with 82.9 million Nigerians living below the poverty line,while In Cross River State, it is  36.3%, which is better than the national average,But  Governor  Ayade said,the state index is still high and unacceptable ,hence his directive  to improve work to reduce the index to manageable percentage.

  • Efik Leadership Group Expresses Relief As Buhari Addresses Concerns Of Cross Riverians

    Efik Leadership Group Expresses Relief As Buhari Addresses Concerns Of Cross Riverians

    By Peter Uzoho, This Day Newspaper

    The Efik Leadership Foundation (ELF), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has expressed relief with the swift response given to its letter by President Muhammadu Buhari, whom it wrote on Monday to intervene in the “deplorable state of COVID-19 response” in Cross River State.

    ELF in a statement yesterday by the Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Mr. Richard Duke, thanked Buhari for heeding to its requests and directing among other things, that an expert delegation visits the State.

    The foundation added that the President’s decision to formally incorporate federal medical institutions across the country into the COVID-19 response was an added boost to the national COVID-19 response.

    ELF said: “Today, two days after we submitted our letter, we are greatly relieved and pleased that Mr. President, through Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, heeded our requests and directed not only that an expert delegation visit the State but also that federal medical institutions across the country will be formally incorporated into the COVID-19 response in the states, including Cross River State.

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    “This latter decision is a most welcome added boost to the National COVID-19 response of which ELF can be justifiably proud.

    “The ELF wishes to express its deep and most sincere thanks to Mr. President, the Minister of Health, the PTF on COVID-19, the NCDC as well as the many men and women of goodwill in and outside the State who commended and expressed support for our efforts.”

    However, ELF said it was “surprised and deeply saddened, however, that our sincere and completely apolitical act of concern and love for all the dear people of our State was grossly misunderstood and our NGO maligned by individuals who obviously have a very dangerously limited understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic and the grave dangers it presents to us all”.

    It added that it looked forward to the visit by the Federal Government delegation and continued to look to the State Government for a much more robust, comprehensive and all-inclusive response to this pandemic.”

    “May we continue to have the courage to speak truth to power when necessary,” the foundation noted.

  • Breaking: Officials Of NCDC Left Kogi State Having Refused To Be Tested For Corona Virus

    Breaking: Officials Of NCDC Left Kogi State Having Refused To Be Tested For Corona Virus

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    Drama ensued  yesterday as officials of the Nigerian Center for Disease Control NCDC, left Kogi State after they refused to be tested for corona virus.

    The delegation was sent to boost the capacity of the state in the fight against covid 19.

    The team returned to Abuja after Governor Yahaya Bello asked them to be isolated and be ready to be tested.

    A statement by the Kogi state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, inquired if NCDC has something hidden.

    The statement reads in parts “NCDC will have a lot to explain as to why its officials refused to be tested for covid 19. How can we be sure of their status? What are their fears? Why did NCDC send people who are afraid of tests to our state? What was their intentions? The officials that came has done an integrity blow to the works of the NCDC. Is there something they are hiding? It is high time NCDC open up and apologize to the good people of Kogi state. How will they encourage people to do test and their own officials are afraid of test”

    Recall also that Kogi and Cross River States are the only two states in Nigeria without confirmed cases of corona virus.

  • NCDC Has Tested 22,000 Nigerians For Corona Virus

    NCDC Has Tested 22,000 Nigerians For Corona Virus

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The Director General of the Nigerian Center for Disease Control, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu has stated that 22,000 Nigerians has been tested for corona virus .

    The DG made the disclosure on Thursday in Abuja during the daily briefing of the Presidential Task Force on Covid 19.

    Ihekweazu stated that those infected are made to undergo a series of tests which are not counted and updated in the system.

    His words “The data shared is on people that tested not test done. The data we share when we say we have about 22,000 tested, those are on people tested, we don’t include all the series of tests.

    “Every individual that is positive will have to be tested every three, four or five days. And some would have stayed in the hospital for about four weeks, so all those tests were being done as well and all of that are in the lab.

    “So, the numbers are really not fully representing the work being done in the labs across the country. We are not reflecting those numbers in the number we share everyday”