Coronavirus: Nurses step over dead bodies piled up on hospital floor

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Coronavirus: Quarantined figure rises to 39 in Ogun
February 29, 2020

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The number of persons quarantined in Ogun state in connection with primary or secondary contacts with the Italian Coronavirus patient have reached all time high of 39 on Saturday.

The initial number was put at 28 by Governor Dapo Abiodun as at Friday but numbered soared with a harvest of additional 11 persons, who where identified, searched, located and Quarantined, including the driver who picked the infected Italian from hotel in Ikeja and those that served him food and drinks.

The guest House where he passed nights as well as the vehicles and ambulance used to convey him and others who were with him while his time in Ewekoro lasted, were also sealed fenced off with red tapes.

Speaking at the Lafarge facility, Ewekoro, on Saturday, during an on assessment by Ogun state government team, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and World Health Organisation (WHO), Lafarge Industrial Director, Segun Soyoye, said the Italian came to Lafarge in Ewekoro to inspect some installed machines which bought from a Swedish firm and didn’t go behind Lafarge guest at Ishofin Estate, adding that he was evacuated upon developing abnormal temperature suggesting infestations of Coronavirus.

Soyoye said: “The Italian came for a business visit. He was in Lagos on Monday and slept at Airport Hotel, Ikeja. Our driver took him there, and when we observed abnormal temperatures and symptoms, we quickly instituted an Emergency Response Team which is led by the Company CEO, we have to find a way of analysing and identifying not only the Italian but also the other contacts.

“The contacts are now 39 and we have quarantined them, the house and clinic as well as the vehicles. We don’t take chances that is why they are put there.

“Today is Day 3, they will be there for 14 days, we will continue to observe them, we have their database, showing their biodata and other information.

“The doctor is here and what he is doing is to check them on a regular basis, so far everybody is stable, they are not symptomatic, we are providing everything for them over there.

“The other thing that I have not said is that the clinic that was used for the infected person is closed, disinfected and we moved everybody out, all the guys at duty that day, they were also quarantined, so they will be there for 14 days as well.”

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Nigerian professor claims he has 'discovered' the cure for coronavirus and lassa fever






A Nigerian Professor, Maduike Ezeibe has announced that he has discovered a possible cure for the dreaded coronavirus and lassa fever. 
 
The Professor of Virology at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) who once claimed to have discovered the therapy for the cure of HIV/AIDS, expressed confidence that the therapy which according to him, had already proved reliable in the "treatment of HIV/AIDS," would make coronavirus a thing of the past.
 
Ezeibe who gave the chemical equation of the therapy as (AI4(SiO4)3+3Mg2SiO4-2AI2Mg3(SiO4)3) and also disclosed that “it’s a mechanism for curing Covid -19 and Lassa fever”, urged countries affected by the deadly virus to adopt his therapy for clinical trials on patients. 
 
He said; 
 

“Electrostatic attraction would make electrically charged medicines mop pathogens which have opposite charges, is a known scientific fact and that viruses and abnormal (infected /tumor) cells are electrically charged is now known.
”Covid-19 virus and Lassa fever virus (DNA viruses) are negatively charged . Small sizes of viruses enable them infect cells, inaccessible to big molecules. So, existing antiviral medicines need immunity to complement their effects but some viruses cause immune deficiency.
"As a silicate, AMS also normalises immunity and as a stabilizing agent it enhances efficacy of antimicrobials to achieve effective treatment secondary infections.
“Effective treatment of secondary infections would cure any viral /abnormal cell diseases including Covid -19 and Lassa fever “

 
Recall that the Federal Government recently announced a N36m cash prize for any Nigerian that finds the cure for coronavirus and Lassa fever.
 
 

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US records first coronavirus death






The United States has announced its first Coronavirus death which occurred in the state of Washington.
 
Dr. Jeffrey Duchin, health officer for Seattle and King County in Washington said the patient was a man in his 50s with underlying health conditions. Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there is no evidence the deceased contracted the virus through travel, leading to speculaion of a domestic "community spread" of the disease, a new phase for the United States that began this week on the West Coast.
 
Health officials in Washington further disclosed that 27 patients and 25 staff members in a long-term care center in Washington have symptoms associated with COVID-19. The Life Care Center of Kirkland said in a statement that new patients and visitors were being turned away, and patients and staff "with symptoms or who were potentially exposed are quarantined."
 

 
President Donald Trump and US officials previously said in a press briefing that the late coronavirus patient was a woman. A senior administration official later blamed the mix up on Redfield, who tweeted later on Saturday that the "CDC erroneously identified the patient as a female" during a briefing with Trump and Pence.
 
Shortly after the announcement of the Washington death, President Donald Trump held a White House news conference to announce that the United States is issuing more travel restrictions and warnings to help prevent spread of the virus. He also said he is meeting with pharmaceutical executives to discuss an approach towards a coronavirus vaccine.
 
Trump added; 
 

"We respectfully ask the media and politicians and everybody else involved not do anything to incite the panic, because there's no reason to panic at all."

 
On Sunday, Australia and Thailand also recorded their first fatalities from coronavirus. A 78-year-old Australian man died after being infected on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan last month.
 
Thailand, which has had 42 cases of the virus, said a 35-year-old man who died was also suffering from dengue fever.
 
More than 85,000 coronavirus cases have been reported in 57 countries around the world and almost 3,000 deaths, according to the World Health Organization. 

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US bans travels to Iran
• Washington records first death from Coronavirus
March 1, 2020

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Mike Pence, Vice President, USA

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The United States is banning travel to Iran in response to the outbreak of the new coronavirus and elevating travel warnings to regions of Italy and South Korea.

Vice President Mike Pence announced the new restrictions and warnings as President Donald Trump said 22 people in the U.S. have been stricken by the new coronavirus, of whom one has died and four are deemed “very ill,” and that additional cases are “likely.”

Trump added that he was considering additional restrictions, including closing the U.S. border with Mexico in response to the virus’ spread — though he added: “This is not a border that seems to be much of a problem right now.

“We’re thinking about all borders,” Trump said.

Travel to Iran is already quite limited, though some families are allowed to travel there on a visa. It is one of the seven initial countries on Trump’s travel ban list, which means travel from Iran also is already severely restricted.

Trump provided an update on the virus from the White House press briefing room for the second time this week after the first reported U.S. death yesterday, of someone he described as having a high medical risk before contracting the virus. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said there was “no evidence of link to travel” in the case of the person who died.

On Friday, health officials confirmed a second case of coronavirus in the U.S. in a person who didn’t travel internationally or have close contact with anyone who had the virus. The U.S. has a total of about 60 confirmed cases. Trump’s tally appeared to exclude cases of Americans repatriated from China or evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship.

Trump said healthy Americans should be able to recover if they contract the new virus, as he tried to reassure Americans and global markets spooked by the virus threat.

He encouraged Americans not to alter their daily routines, saying the country is “super prepared” for a wider outbreak, adding “there’s no reason to panic at all.”

He added he wasn’t altering his routine either. “You’re talking about 22 people right now in this whole very vast country. I think we’ll be in very good shape.”

Trump spoke a day after he denounced criticism of his response to the threat as a “hoax” cooked up by his political enemies. Speaking at a rally in South Carolina he accused Democrats of “politicizing” the coronavirus threat and boasted about preventive steps he’s ordered in an attempt to keep the virus that originated in China from spreading across the United States. Those steps include barring entry by most foreign nationals who had recently visited China.

“They tried the impeachment hoax. … This is their new hoax,” Trump said of Democratic denunciations of his administration’s coronavirus response.

Trump said yesterday he was not trying to minimize the threat of the virus.

“Again, the hoax was used in respect to Democrats and what they were saying,” he said.

Some Democrats have said Trump could have acted sooner to bolster the U.S. response to the virus. Democratic and Republican lawmakers also have said his request for an additional $2.5 billion to defend against the virus isn’t enough. They’ve signaled they will provide substantially more funding.

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All 43 suspects of coronavirus in Plateau are negative – Commissioner
March 1, 2020

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Plateau state commissioner for health, Dr. Nimkong Larndam has said there is no confirmed case of coronavirus in Plateau state.

The commissioner however said there 43 persons had to isolated for 14 days so as not to take chances.

Larndam gave the confirmation yesterday in a press conference held in his office to disabused the minds of Nigerians and citizens of the state over allegations that the virus has been ditected in Plateau state.

According to Larndam, “We have four Chinese miners who just returned from holidays in China, since they came from another country that is heavily infected with the virus, they could be suspected to have the virus. But the Chinese were screened in Addis Ababa, Euthiopea, they were also screened in Abuja airport, and in those screenings they were proved negative.

“Even though the suspects were not positive, such people are supposed to be isolated for 14 days. So we have isolated them between now and 11th of March

“It is not only the four Chinese be that we had to isolate, all the people that had contacts with the Chinese on their return to Wase has to be fished and isolated too.

Larndam who was accompanied on the press conference by the state commissioner for Information and Communication Mr Dan Manjang said, “So, the fact that we have to isolate these suspects is not a confirmation by that the virus has been ditected in the state, we are only been very cuatious” he said.

“As we monitor those 43 we have isolated, at the end of the 14 days, if the suspect did not show any symptom of coronavirus, we will allow them to enjoy their normal life”

The commissioner assured people of the state and other Nigerians who has anything to do with the state to feel free and go about their normal businesses. There is no any single case of coronavirus in Plateau state.

He also said the state government has put measures in place to handle any case of coronavirus, we have isolation wards in Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and also in Plateau Specialist hospital. 

We have a surveillance medical team stationed at the Yakubu Gowon Airport to screen and monitor movement of air passengers, and government has set aside funds to handle any emergency.

“But so far, there no reason to panic, the situation in Plateau is under control” he said.

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Leader of the South Korean 'cult' accused of spreading coronavirus in South Korea begs on his knees for forgiveness (Photos)







The leader of the South Korean 'cult' accused of spreading coronavirus in South Korea, today begged for forgiveness after authorities launched a bid to charge him with murder.
 
Self-proclaimed messiah Lee Man-hee offered his 'sincere apology' and admitted that 'many people have been infected' after an outbreak at his Shincheonji cult. 
 
During a press conference on Monday, the 88-year-old got down on his knees and bowed down before reporters in Gapyeong with his head to the floor, as he pleaded for the 'forgiveness of the government.' 
 

'I would like to offer my sincere apology to the people on behalf of the members,' Lee said today, his voice breaking.
 
'Although it was not intentional, many people have been infected,' he said. 
 
'We put our utmost efforts but were unable to prevent it all. I seek the forgiveness of the people.
 
'I am very thankful to the government for its efforts. I also seek the forgiveness of the government.' 

Lee insisted that the group was 'actively cooperating with the government'.
 
'We will do our best and not spare human and material support,' he added, pausing occasionally to wipe tears from his eyes as protesters shouted abuse. 
 
The secretive church is linked to more than half of South Korea's 4,000 coronavirus cases  after failing to co-operate with authorities over the outbreak, prompting the government to press for charges.

The numbers are also expected to rise further as 260,000 people associated with Shincheonji are being tested for the virus.
 
According to Mail Online, the outbreak is believed to have begun after a 61-year-old woman developed a fever on February 10 but attended at least four church services in Daegu before being diagnosed. 
 
Shincheonji's director of international missions Kim Shin-chang also told reporters that many members have not responded to health officials as more than 1,000 people associated with the church are yet to answer survey calls.
 
'It is possible that our members are not completely forthcoming with the authorities on their movements out of fear their Shincheonji affiliation could be exposed,' he said.
 
'Social hatred and discrimination against our members is so pervasive that many fear losing their jobs or fuelling conflict among family members if their faith is revealed.'
 
'We have urged our members to tell the authorities everything,' said Kim - but he added that doing so was a 'personal decision'. 
 
Seoul's city government has asked prosecutors to press charges, including murder, against Lee and 11 other sect leaders for failing to co-operate. 
 
This comes after South Korea's Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported 476 new cases of the coronavirus on Monday, raising the total to 4,212 with 22 deaths.
 

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Italian minister tests positive for coronavirus







An Italian regional minister has tested positive for coronavirus.

Alessandro Mattinzoli, the regional minister for sustainable development in Lombardy, the Italian region most affected by the coronavirus outbreak tested positive for the virus today.
 
This was confirmed in a statement by the president of Lombardy, Attilio Fontana and the councilor for welfare, Giulio Gallera.
 
He "has a high fever but otherwise is fine": the president of Lombardy Attilio Fontana said in Centocittà on Rai Radio 1, adding that 'he hopes that it will soon be lowered and he is doing therapy, "he added.
 
The councilor for welfare Giulio Gallera also revealed that the entire 17-member in the Lombardy regional government would undergo testing for the novel coronavirus.
 
 "As foreseen for the operators of the essential public utility services, the whole council will undergo the assessment tests."
 
 

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 US Coronavirus Death Toll Rises To 6


Four more people have died in the US state of
Washington after being infected with the
coronavirus, bringing the death toll in the state and country to six, authorities said on Monday.

Dr Jeff Duchin, chief health officer for the Seattle and King County Public Health agency, announced the increase in fatalities from COVID-19 at a news conference on Monday, as authorities across the country scrambled to prepare for more infections with an emphasis on ratcheting up the number of available test kits.

Researchers had previously said that the virus may have been circulating undetected for weeks in Washington state. After the first death, Governor Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/coronavirus-death-toll-rises-6-200302203641200.html

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Coronavirus: Global Death Toll Rises To 3,000 As Infection Number Spikes.


The latest numbers: The novel coronavirus has killed more than 3,000 people, the vast majority in mainland China. There are now more than 88,000 global cases, with infections on every continent except Antarctica.

Europe raises alert level: There was a 50% increase in cases in Italy yesterday, a significant jump in cases in Germany on Monday, and the Louvre remains closed in Paris as cases rise in France.

outbreak in the Middle East remained unclear, with public health experts expressing concern that the official numbers were unreliable.

Across Europe, countries reported steady increases in the number of cases, while officials warned residents to prepare for large outbreaks.

As coronavirus cases show up around the globe, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development cut its outlook for 2020, suggesting that global growth could be cut in half if infections spread more widely outside China.

The coronavirus, now present on every continent except Antarctica, has infected nearly 90,000 people, killing more than 3,000.

https://www.cnn.com/cnn/asia/live-news/coronavirus-outbreak-03-02-20-intl-hnk/index.html

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Tunisia, Senegal, Egypt and Algeria confirm cases of coronavirus







Tunisia, Senegal, Egypt and Algeria have all confirmed new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of those infected with the deadly disease to five in Africa. 
 
In a statement shared on the Facebook page of Egypt's health ministry, it was gathered that the foreigner who tested positive for the new coronavirus strain was taken to an isolation hospital and is currently receiving necessary medical care. The North African country is also taking strict preventive measures regarding those who were in contact with the person.
 
Algeria on the other hand announced its first coronavirus case, an Italian national who arrived in the country on February 17. He was later flown home to Italy which has almost 1,700 cases.
 
Tunisia's health Minister, Abdelatif el-Maki in a press conference on Monday March 2 announced the country's first case of coronavirus. The Tunisian man who came in from Italy, tested positive for the flu-like virus. 
 
Senegal's Minister of Health, Abdoulaye Diouf Sarr who confirmed the country's first coronavirus case, said the French national arrived the country last week. He further disclosed that he is under observation at an Institute in Dakar. 
 
The patient has however been in contact with his wife and two children, the minister said. It was not clear how many other people had also been in contact with him. Authorities are in the process of tracing the other passengers on the Air Senegal flight.
 
As of Monday, there have been over 89,000 cases of the virus globally, the majority in China. Outside of China, the deadly disease has been confirmed in 66 countries, with more than 8,800 cases and 130 deaths. Globally, the illness has killed over 3,000 people.
 

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Saudi Arabia announces first case of coronavirus four days after banning religious pilgrims






Saudi Arabia on Monday announced the first coronavirus case four days after banning religious pilgrims from visiting Mecca or Medina to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the Kingdom. 
 
The Health Ministry said on its official Twitter account that the individual is a Saudi national who returned from Iran through Bahrain.
 
According to the ministry, the individual, who is currently quarantined in hospital, had not disclosed his visit to Iran when entering Saudi Arabia.
 
The official Saudi Press Agency, citing the Health Ministry, also disclosed that people who had interacted with the infected man had been isolated and were being tested.
 
This comes after the Health Ministry said on Sunday it had prepared 25 hospitals to handle any coronavirus infections, with 2,200 beds dedicated for quarantine cases.
 
Few days ago, Saudi Arabia banned religious pilgrims from visiting Mecca or Medina to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the Kingdom. 

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Covid-19: ‘We have discovered its cure’
March 3, 2020
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•Greetings in Coronavirus way

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As Nigerians panic over the outbreak of the Coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19, the populace has been assured that a cure has been found, write Grace Obike, MOSES EMORINKEN, Kolade Adeyemi, Oziegbe Okoeki.[/size]

 

 

AS the world grapples with the most recent form of pestilence called Coronavirus or COVID-19, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Professor of Pharmacognosy, Prof. Maurice Iwu has said not only has Nigeria discovered the cure for the Wuhan coronavirus or COVID 19 but the discovery has been since 2015.

He said his research group had identified and patented a possible treatment for coronavirus as far back as 2015 because of the importance of remaining ahead of emergent infections through research.

He said the drug discovery project started at the University of Nigeria Nsukka and continued in America when he was a visiting scholar at the Division of Experimental Therapeutics of Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Washington DC.

Prof. Iwu further said his research had in 2014 also discovered an experimental lead compound that was identified 15 years earlier in 1999. He briefed the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu.

“It is very important that we must remain ahead of these emergent infections through research. The other aspect of our work targets the so-called orphan diseases that are rare diseases that affect fewer than 200,000 people, or disease that has not been adopted by the pharmaceutical industry because it provides little financial incentives for the private sector to make and market new medications to treat or prevent them, and/or diseases that affect mainly the poor.

“The drug discovery project was started at the University of Nigeria Nsukka where I was a Professor of Pharmacognosy and continued in America when I was a visiting Scholar at the Division of Experimental Therapeutics of Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Washington DC USA (1994 -2003).

“Coronavirus (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome -Coronavirus) our approach is the use of a network of eminent scientists and leading laboratories to target particular diseases, especially neglected tropical, emergent diseases and orphan diseases such as Ebola virus and Dengue Fever, among others.”

Onu commended Prof. Iwu for his discovery and said it was a welcome development, adding that no single Nigerian life should be lost to COVID 19.

Kano Health Commissioner accuses airlines

KANO State Commissioner of Health, Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa yesterday expressed concern over the non-compliance by some foreign airlines at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) to comply with proper screening of passengers entering the country through the airport.

Tsanyawa lamented that the foreign airlines have refused to issue screening forms that will identify the details of the health conditions of passengers, as Nigeria battles to contend with COVID-19.

Tsanyawa, who assured reporters that Kano was calm and has not recorded any incident of Coronavirus so far, said Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s administration has put everything in place to stop the spread of the virus in the state.

He mentioned some of the precautionary steps taken by the state government to include conduct of state Emergency Preparedness and Response Committee meeting, development of Incident Action Plan, activation of the state Isolation Centre at Yar-gaya.

Tsanyawa further stated that Kano State government has planned to further intensify COVID-19 surveillance in the state through engagement of traditional and religious institutions.

“Some of the precautions taken by Kano State include training of health personnel in tertiary, secondary and primary health care facilities, production and airing of jingles and production and distribution of IEC materials, among other measures.”

58 under supervised self-isolation

…as four test negative in Plateau

Following the first confirmed case of coronavirus disease in Lagos State, the Federal Government has revealed that as at March 1, there is no new confirmed case in the country.

Out of about 14 tests that were carried out, only the Italian citizen who works as a consultant in Nigeria, from Milan, Italy, tested positive to the disease.

Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire said the number of identified contacts of the index case in Lagos and Ogun states are 19 and 39 respectively. This makes a total of 58 people who have had contact with the index case under supervised self-isolation.

“Currently, the contacts of the index case are identified as 19 contacts in Lagos and 39 contacts in Ogun State. Both Ogun and Lagos states have activated their emergency operations centre (EOCs).

“As at March 1, there is no new confirmed case in Nigeria. About 14 tests have been done, and except that one patient, no other person has been diagnosed.

“We have also deployed rapid response teams from the NCDC who are working closely with all the states.  It is important that all Nigerians focus on the facts not fear and not to generate panic.

“The condition of the patient in Lagos is good and information from doctors particularly handling him is that his condition appears to be the mild one.”

“For those who have serious illness such as cough and catarrh, and have to do an examination, I can understand that such a person is given masks. Anyone with chronic cough and catarrh must see a doctor and stay home.

Lassa fever response team for UNILORIN

The University of Ilorin has said it is establishing a Disease Outbreak Response Team, tagged: ‘UNILORIN DORT’, to address the challenges of deadly diseases.

Prof. Olatunji Kolawole, the Director of the Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology of the university stated this in a statement.

He stated that this is in response to the global threat, which the recent outbreak of Lassa fever and COVID-19 represents to the well-being of the nation.

Kolawole stated that the response team would be constituted by professionals from relevant fields and units.

He revealed that the Unilorin DORT would also work in affiliation with the Kwara State Epidemiology Unit and the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

According to him, the duties of the response team will include ensuring preventive measures and diagnostic services to ensure that the infectious diseases are eradicated from our society as part of the university’s contributions to human development.

Create awareness in local, pidgin languages

CHRISTIAN Empowerment Forum, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has urged the media to disseminate information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) in local languages, especially Pidgin English and other major languages.

Mr Ifunnaya Ogbonnaya, the Executive Director of the group, said this in a statement issued in Abuja, following the recent report of the virus in Lagos.

Ogbonnaya said spreading information on the signs and symptoms, dangers and prevention measures to adopt against the virus would help in the fight against the killer disease.

According to him, the preventive measures to adopt against the virus should not be left to only the elite in society, but should also be made to reach all nook and cranny.

Ogbonnaya advised parents and guardians to educate their children and wards on the virus, its signs, symptoms and prevention measures.

He said the job of creating awareness and preventing the spread of the virus could not be left alone to the government.

“Everyone has a role to play in this fight; from the media to parents and guardians, school authorities, religious bodies, medical outlets and hospitals and both private and public job institutes and establishments.

“If everyone plays their part effectively, we may just be recording the first and the last case of the virus in Nigeria,” he said.

He advised every citizen to follow and adopt all prescribed preventive measures by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and medical experts.

Reps member urges Ajegunle residents on hygiene

A MEMBER representing Ajeromi Ifelodun Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives Taiwo Kolawole, has urged Lagos residents to maintain proper hygiene and eat more fruits and vegetables to boost their immunity against Coronavirus.

Kolawole, who said this yesterday in Lagos noted that eating fruits, vegetables and maintaining good and proper hygiene could also help in defeating the deadly virus.

“With the strange virus in the country, I appeal to our people to be calm. We have experienced it once when a foreigner came to the country with similar case of virus and it was defeated totally.

“That is why we advise people to be conscious of environmental sanitation, maintain good hygiene by washing their hands regularly and eat balanced diet to strengthen their immunity,” he said.

NMA tasks govts on awareness

THE Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), has urged the three tiers of government to intensify public awareness on COVID-19 in order to curtail its spread.

Dr Saliu Oseni, Chairman of Lagos NMA, made the appeal in Lagos.

Oseni said efforts should be made towards increasing sensitisation on universal precaution among health workers and the public with emphasis on frequent hand washing.

According to him, sensitisation should be increased, especially at the local level to ensure that every citizen is made  aware of the symptoms of the disease and measures to take to stay safe.

He noted that intensified awareness would help to reduce the risk of exposure to people coughing; stressing that collaborative effort was needed to contain the virus.

Oseni urged the government to ensure constant and adequate supply of gloves, face masks and hand sanitisers at hospitals to protect health workers.

He also urged the government to play its part at ensuring contact tracing of all those that had contact with the index, while calling for increased surveillance nation-wide.

Lagos Assembly urges Sanwo-Olu  on sensitisation

The Lagos State House of Assembly has urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to ensure proper sensitisation of residents of the state about the dreaded Coronavirus.

The issue was raised under Matter of Urgent Public Importance at plenary on Monday by Hon. Akeem Shokunle (Oshodi/Isolo 1).

Shokunle, who is the Chairman House Committee on Health, stated that it was important that the governor sensitise the residents to the matter and implement the law passed by the 8th Assembly on cancer and disease control institute.

[img=0x0]https://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SANWO-OLU-HOLDS-ADVOCACY-MEETING-241x170.jpg[/img]•From left: Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu (left) presenting Coronavirus sensitisation materials to the Chairman Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Hon. Tunde Balogun (right) during an advocacy meeting with Local Council Chairmen and other stakeholders on Coronavirus sensitisation. With them: Commissioner for Health Prof. Akin Abayomi.

Sanwo-Olu was also urged to direct the Commissioner for Education to do proper awareness on Coronavirus in all public and private schools.

Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, who thanked members for their contributions to the matter, stated that issue of placing a ban on airlines from the countries affected by Coronavirus had to be re-considered due to the economic consequences.

“The Federal Government and Lagos State government are working hand in hand to curb the spread of Coronavirus.

“We should commend our State Governor for his efforts on the matter. But, we should call on the Governor to implement the provision of the law on Centre for Cancer and Diseases Control, which was passed by the 8th Assembly,” he said.

Obasa stressed that the state government needed to reach out to many organisations, including the local government authorities, CDAs, CDCs, NURTW and others to educate them so that they could pass information to the people. He advised that people can stop going to mosques, churches and parties for now.

“We should wear mask or wash our hands. We can use handkerchiefs when we go to gatherings.

“The Commissioner for Education should ensure adequate campaigns in our public and private schools,” he said.

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Full list of 75 countries where coronavirus have been confirmed






The outbreak of coronavirus which was first noticed in Chinese City of Wuhan at the end of 2019, has now been confirmed in 75 other countries. 
 
While Iran has recorded the highest death toll outside China, Iran rose to 66, WHO has also announced that the number of new cases outside China rose nine times higher than those inside the Asian country in the last 24 hours.
 
More than 3,100 people have died globally and over 90,000 have been infected since the outbreak of the deadly disease, leading to a declaration of public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO). 
 
In mainland China, more than 80,100 cases of the virus and over 2,900 deaths have been recorded, with majority of the patients coming from Hubei province. 
 
Here is a full list of the 75 countries where coronavirus has been confirmed in outside mainland China as at 12:00am on Tuesday March 3; 
 

1. Afghanistan (1 case)
2. Algeria (2 cases)
3. Andorra (1 case)
4. Armenia (1 case)
5. Australia (35 cases, 1 death)
6. Austria (10 cases)
7. Bahrain (49 cases)
8. Belarus (1 case)
9. Belgium (1 case)
10. Brazil (2 cases)
11. Cambodia (1 case)
12. Canada (24 cases)
13. Croatia (6 cases)
14. Czech Republic (5 cases)
15. Denmark (3 cases)
16. Dominican Republic (1 case)
17. Ecuador (7 cases)
18. Egypt (2 cases)
19. Estonia (1 case)
20. Finland (3 cases)
21. France (130 cases, 2 deaths)
22. Georgia (1 case)
23. Germany (158 cases)
24. Gibraltar (1 case)
25. Greece (7 cases)
26. Hong Kong (100 cases, 2 deaths)
27. Iceland (3 case)
28. India (6 cases)
29. Indonesia (2 cases)
30. Iran (1,501 cases, 66 deaths)
31. Iraq (26 cases)
32. Ireland (1 case)
33. Israel (12 cases)
34. Italy (2,036 cases, 52 deaths)
35. Japan (974 cases, 12 deaths)
36. Jordan (1 case)
37. Kuwait (56 cases)
38. Latvia (1 case)
39. Lebanon (13 cases)
40. Lithuania (1 case)
41. Luxembourg (1 case)
42. Macao (10 cases)
43. Malaysia (25 cases)
44. Mexico (5 cases)
45. Monaco (1 case)
46. Nepal (1 case)
47. Netherlands (7 cases)
48. New Zealand (1 case)
49. Nigeria (1 case)
50. North Macedonia (1 case)
51. Norway (15 cases)
52. Oman (6 cases)
53. Pakistan (5 cases)
54. Philippines (3 cases, 1 death)
55. Portugal (2 cases)
56. Qatar (7 cases)
57. Romania (3 cases)
58. Russia (6 cases)
59. San Marino (1 case)
60. Saudi Arabia (1 case)
61. Senegal (1 case)
62. Singapore (108 cases)
63. South Korea (5,186 cases, 29 deaths)
64. Spain (73 cases)
65. Sri Lanka (1 case)
66. Sweden (13 cases)
67. Switzerland (18 cases)
68. Taiwan (41 cases, 1 death)
69. Thailand (42 cases, 1 death)
70. Tunisia (1 case)
71. Ukraine (1 case)
72. United Arab Emirates (21 cases)
73. United Kingdom (40 cases)
74. United States (105 cases*, 6 deaths)

75. Vietnam (16 cases)

 
The list Includes presumptive positive cases from public health labs pending confirmation from the US Centers for Disease Control.

[Edoman]

WHO to trace 103 travellers on flight with Italian man who tested positive for coronavirus in Nigeria







The World Health Organization has been enlisted by the Nigerian government to initiate a search to identify 103 out of the 158 passengers that flew into the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos with the Italian man who tested positive for coronavirus in Nigeria. 
 
This came after the Lagos State Government revealed how difficult it was tracing the passengers aboard the Turkish airliner that flew into the country with the index case on February 25. 
 
Serving an update on the search on Tuesday March 3, Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora disclosed that the WHO has been contacted to help in tracking uncooperative passengers. 
 
He said; 

 

 “The contact tracing is going on well. It started from the manifest of the airline that came with the Italian, and I think about 157 or thereabout were on that flight.


“We got the manifest and 54 on the manifest have been traced. Then, moving from there to the hotel where the man (Italian) went, I think we have about six identified as contacts with him, then to the company he went to in Ogun State.


“We have about 30 to 35 identified contacts that are being followed up; then, there are other members of staff like the ambulance and taxi driver; all in all, about 100 contacts have been established.


“It is also important to say that some of these contacts, those on the aircraft that arrived the country with the index case have left the country,  but the fact still remains that there was documentation.


“I am aware that WHO has been contacted so that those contacts that left can be traced to wherever they left to. So they have been notified and will get in touch with these contacts, no matter the country that they have gone to.’’

 
 

[Edoman]

Los Angeles County officially declares State of Emergency as 6 new cases of coronavirus are confirmed in 48 hours






The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the Los Angeles County Department of Health on Wednesday declared a local and public state of emergency after 6 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed in the last 48 hours in the county. 
 
According to Fox LA, three of the infected patients recently traveled to Northern Italy, two patients had family members who live outside the area that had the virus, and the sixth patient has a job that requires them to make contact with travelers.
 
"We must remain vigilant," said L.A. County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Kathryn Barger. 
 
Barger also said the declaration was being made out of an abundance of caution and that the state and the federal government will continue to work together. 
 
In addition, she made it clear that the local government, health care facilities, schools, and communities must be active in efforts to be prepared for more cases of the disease and should also follow the precautionary measures to help slow down the spread of the virus. 
 
"Our main message is that the City of Los Angeles and cities of the county have done everything possible to be ready and this is everyone's responsibility," said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. 

[Edoman]

[b] Coronavirus: People Wear Condoms On Fingers In Singapore To Avoid Infections 


Coronavirus: Condoms selling out as people put them on fingers to avoid being infected[/b]

As the Coronavirus outbreak continues around the world people are stocking up on a number of items - everything from toilet paper to condoms

People all over the world are currently doing whatever they can to prevent themselves getting Coronavirus, from wearing face masks everywhere they go to using hand sanitiser more times a day than they can count.

But methods of prevention seem to be getting more and more extreme and depending on your point of view, some may even say ridiculous.

The latest strategy allegedly sees people panic-buying packets of condoms to put them on their fingers to protect against the virus when pushing elevator buttons in buildings.

Photos have been doing the rounds on social media showing empty Durex condom shelves in stores in Australia and Singapore.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/condoms-selling-out-people-put-21628212.amp

[Edoman]

Three suspected cases of Coronavirus under isolation in Lagos- Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi reveals






The Lagos state Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, has revealed via his Twitter handle, that there are currently three suspected cases of Coronavirus that are under Isolation in the state.
 
According to Professor Abayomi, one of the suspected cases is a Nigerian that just returned from France, the second just returned from England while the third suspected case is of an individual who just returned from China. Professor Abayomi stated that the Nigerian man from France arrived on March 2nd after spending seven days in France and was down with headache and some respiratory symptoms. 
 

“Because he has been in a country where there is active person-to-person transmission, it could be a common cold and there is a possibility it could be Coronavirus. He has been put in isolation, the test is being run right now, I am expecting the result,” Abayomi said

 
At a press briefing on Thursday, Professor Abayomi gave an update on the Italian man who is the only confirmed case of the disease in Nigeria. The Commissioner said the Italian was responding to treatment and improving daily.

“As of today, he is in a better spirit, he requires some psycho-social support, because he was getting depressed being in isolation, and the only person in the ward, and of course very few visitors and his family is not here.
“He has been receiving phone calls because we provided him with a phone with enough airtime and wifi for him to be in touch with his family, friends and the Embassy here, with the Consulate being very supportive.
“We have also provided some psychological support to him, some specialists have been in touch with him,” he said.

 
Abayomi noted that his last viral note was reducing, showing that he was recovering, saying if the trend continues, he would be released soon.
 

[Edoman]

Cameroon confirms first case of coronavirus







Cameroon's health ministry on Friday March 6, announced that it has confirmed its first case of coronavirus. 
 
The index case of coronavirus in the country is a 58-year-old French citizen who arrived in the capital Yaounde on February 24. He is currently being quarantined in the city's Central Hospital. 
 
A statement released by the health ministry reads in part; 
 

"All measures have been taken by the government to contain potential risks of the virus spreading."

 
The health official urged the public to be “vigilant and respect hygiene rules." The World Health Organization (WHO) also confirmed the case in a tweet.
 
Other African countries that have confirmed cases of coronavirus include Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia, Algeria and South Africa. 

b

[Edoman]

Coronavirus: Italian Patient Fully Recovered, To Be Discharged Soon — Ogun Govt.

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun says the Italian national who tested positive to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has fully recovered and will soon be discharged from the isolation centre.

A statement made available to our correspondent on Friday in Abeokuta by the Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin quoted the governor to have disclosed this when the management team of Lafarge PLC, led by its Country Chief Executive Officer, Khaleed El Dokani, paid him a courtesy call in his office at Oke-Mosan in the state capital.

“He (the patient) is in good condition and would be discharged soon,” Abiodun said, according to the statement.

The Governor described the virus as a serious threat to the status of Ogun as the nation’s industrial hub. He vowed that the government would not lower its guard towards curtailing spread of the deadly virus in the state. “For us, the virus is a serious one and an issue that is in the front burner.

We will not lower our guard, particularly due to the fact that we have large number of industries and expatriates here. We are enjoying lot of supports from the World Health Organisation and the National Centre for Disease Control. We are going ahead to prepare for the worst and hope for the best,” the governor was quoted as saying.

He applauded the company for its prompt response by quarantining the first index case and the first sets of contacts, urging the company to sustain the level of attention given to the issue.

The governor, however, lamented the deplorable condition of some roads due to use of heavy duty trucks owned by major companies, urging the company to look at ways of collaborating with state government in maintaining those roads. “The failure of some of these roads, like the Abeokuta-Ifo-Lagos road, is due to heavy duty trucks.

This road was not built to accommodate such trucks. Please look at the way you can collaborate with government in maintaining this road which is probably the second busiest in the country to alleviate the suffering of the people,” the governor pleaded.

Speaking earlier, Dokani disclosed the company operates two factories located in Ewekoro and Sagamu, with a combined asset worth $1.3 billion and employing more than 500 people. He said his company is looking at ways of providing affordable houses to the people in its areas of operation, just it has invested in a 50 Megawatts of power plant at Ewekoro, capable of producing 90 Megawatts, out of which 40 Megawatts, would be available for the national grid.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/coronavirus-italian-patient-fully-recovered-to-be-discharged-soon.html

[Edoman]

[b]Coronavirus: Death Toll In Italy Rises To 197


The death toll from the new coronavirus in Italy has risen to 197 after the largest daily increase in fatalities there since the outbreak began.[/b]

Officials said 49 people had died in 24 hours, while more than 4,600 cases have been reported in total.

The country has now reported the most deaths outside of China, where the virus emerged in December.

The World Health Organization says nearly 100,000 people worldwide have contracted the coronavirus.

More than 3,000 people have died - the majority in China.

WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called the spread of the virus "deeply concerning" and urged all countries to make containment "their highest priority".

What is happening in Italy?
Officials announced the record daily death toll in a statement on Friday.

They said the number could not be officially confirmed until health officials had "established the actual cause of death".

The national health institute said the average age of those who have died was 81, with the majority suffering from underlying health problems. An estimated 72% of all those who have died were men.

According to government data, 4.25% of confirmed coronavirus cases have died, the highest rate in the world.

Italy has one of the world's oldest populations.

The government this week ordered the closure of all schools for 10 days as it battles to contain the outbreak.

All professional sport, including Serie A football matches, will also be played behind closed doors for a month.

The BBC's Rome correspondent Mark Lowen tweeted that a resident in the quarantined Italian town of Codogno told him the most upsetting thing for many people there is that funerals are not being permitted for coronavirus victims because of the need to limit gatherings.

"Priests are saying a couple of prayers - and that's it," he wrote.

Only China, South Korea and Iran have reported more coronavirus cases than Italy.

What are the latest updates?
✓The Vatican, Serbia, Slovakia, Peru and Togo have reported their first cases of the virus

✓A man in his 80s became the second person in the UK to die after testing positive for the coronavirus

✓Scotland Women's Six Nations match with France at Glasgow's Scotstoun Stadium has been postponed after a home player contracted coronavirus.

✓US President Donald Trump signed an $8.3bn (£6.4bn) emergency bill to to try to combat the outbreak

✓France became the latest country to announce school closures, which will affect the worst-hit areas in the country

✓Canada confirmed its first "community" case of a person who had not recently left the country and had no known contact with someone infected

✓A cruise ship was forced to turn away from Malta after doctors threatened industrial action if it docked amid coronavirus concerns

✓The South by Southwest (SXSW) music and tech festival in Austin, Texas has been cancelled over growing concerns related to the outbreak

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-51777049