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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said that Kaduna and Oyo states have joined Lagos, the FCT, and Rivers states to top the five states with the highest cumulative number of COVID-19 cases in the country.
The Director-General, NCDC, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at the Ministerial bi-weekly meeting on the update of COVID-19 response and development in the country’s health sector.
The News Agency of Nigeria, reports that the details are also on the NCDC website, which rolled out the breakdown of infections.
It shows that Lagos state has continued to maintain the first position with a huge gap in the country, with about 102, 877, the FCT coming behind with 29, 075, Rivers state follows with about 17, 680, Kaduna with over 11,467 and Oyo State with about 10, 327, since the beginning of the pandemic in the country.
Adetifa said that from the Aug. 13 to 15, the country reported 144 additional confirmed cases.
According to him, 144 new cases were reported from nine States- Lagos (101), Abia (13), Akwa Ibom (10), the FCT (9), Kano (5), Kaduna (3), Bauchi (1), Ekiti (1) and Plateau (1)
He said that since the beginning of the pandemic in the country in February 2020, there has been over 5,441,162 samples tested, 262,748 confirmed cases, 256,518 discharged cases with 3,147 deaths.
He said that a multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 2, continued to coordinate the national response activities across the country.
According to the NCDC boss , in 2021 the country had a high burden of cases compared to this year and in weeks past, some states have recorded increase in their confirmed cases.
“Thankfully, we are at a phase in the pandemic where we can utilise COVID-19 vaccines to ensure reduction in the occurrences of severe infectious diseases and hospitalisations.
“We have this, alongside other tools in our toolkit: wearing of facemasks, proper hand hygiene, proper respiratory hygiene – coughing into tissue – therapeutics to lessen symptom severity and testing,” he said.
The NCDC boss disclosed that the agency was engaging with other partners to review the implementation roadmap for enhancing COVID-19 rapid tests and self-testing.
“Work continues as usual with our teams liaising with states for disease surveillance reports, contact tracing and other activities to prevent and respond to COVID-19,” he said.
Addressing the misunderstanding regarding the wearing of facemasks in the country, he said that it was encouraged, particularly indoors and especially rooms that were not well-ventilated.
According to him, as part of surveillance efforts, “we are training community volunteers on active case search and contact tracing as well as carrying out monitoring and supervision of healthcare activities across health facilities,” he explained.
Adetifa said that globally, the COVID-19 pandemic was still exerting its effects.
“An example is that in the Phillippines, students are only now returning to school after two years.
“ Current global epidemiological trends, cases and deaths must be interpreted with care since many countries have varying COVID-19 testing strategies, in turn leading to lower number of tests and thus, cases detected.
“In the US, COVID-19 boosters targeting the omicron BA.
5 subvariant are being developed and due to be available in the coming weeks.
“We continue to hear of various prominent individuals contracting COVID-19 including the US President Joe Biden, his wife, and recently, Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida,” he explained.
The NCDC boss said that SARS-CoV-2 is still present inspite of desires and many actions to return to normalcy worldwide, with many countries easing restrictions to increase economic activity.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Local remedies, sensitisation, precautionary measures panacea to COVID-19 spread in Nigeria
By Lilian Okoro and Kemi Akintokun, News Agency of Nigeria
As the country continues to record more cases of COVID-19, experts emphasise the need for effective and lasting measures to curtail further spread of the virus in Nigeria.
Some of the measures include intensifying efforts on research for local remedies, renewed and sustained sensitisation as well as adherence to measures.
Coronaviruses are a group of related viruses that cause diseases in mammals and birds.
In humans, coronaviruses cause respiratory tract infections that can range from mild to fatal.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that on Dec. 31, 2019, the first reported known infections from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) were recorded in Wuhan, China, though the original source of viral transmission to humans remains unclear.
It was on Feb. 11, 2020, that the World Health Organisation (WHO) officially issued the names COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 as the name of the new virus coronaviruses detected in Wuhan.
According to it, this name is chosen because the virus is genetically related to the coronavirus responsible for the SARS outbreak of 2003. While related, the two viruses are different.
In Nigeria, the first case of the virus emerged on Feb. 28, 2020 and the cases increased rapidly within six months to 47,743 cases with 979 deaths as of Aug. 12, 2020.
It steadily increased and a lockdown was eventually put in place alongside other measures to curb the spread of the virus.
When the attendant economic consequences of the lockdown in the country became unbearable, the government was compelled to announce a phased and gradual easing of the lockdown in the FCT, Lagos and Ogun states from May 5, 2020.
The cases continue to fluctuate with the different waves of COVID-19.
However, lately, the number of COVID-19 cases in the country have been on the rise since July 2022.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) also reports of an additional 144 new COVID-19 cases from Aug. 14 to 15, 2022 where Lagos State is ahead of other states with 101 cases.
A Virologist, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, called for more consistency in the way information, data and updates on COVID-19 pandemic are being provided to the general public in Nigeria.
Tomori, also the Chairman, Biovaccines Nigeria Ltd., tells NAN that there has not been adequate breakdown information on how or where the surge in the COVID-19 new cases are actually coming from; whether it is from people coming into the country or it is being spread among people who live in the country.
According to him, up-to-date information on the COVID-19 situations will pave the way for easy assessment, analysis and predictions concerning the disease at any point in time.
“For some time now, I have observed that there is no longer consistency in the way and manner in which updates and about Covid-19 are being provided for public consumption.
“The NCDC that initially provides information and updates about Covid-19 on daily basis, no longer do so.
“The Centre now comes out to give updates on the disease on weekly basis – it is not supposed to be that way.
“ Information and updates on the condition is still supposed to be provided every day because in other countries, update is still on daily basis.
”This is because up-to-date information will make it easy for proper assessment, analysis, monitoring and predictions about the pandemic,” Tomori says.
Tomori urges the NCDC to intensify efforts to ensure wider information to greater percentage of the populace, because not everybody has access to its website or Twitter handle.
The virologist also calls on the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 to rise up to its mandates and deploy necessary strategic measures to contain the pandemic because it is still very much present in the country.
According to him, there is no longer information concerning the operations of the Taskforce.
He said, ”The major mandate of the taskforce is to coordinate and oversee Nigeria’s multi-sectoral inter-governmental efforts to contain the spread and mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.
“But unfortunately, we no longer hear anything about its operations.
Even the designated diagnostic laboratories seems not to be functioning.
“We seem to have abandoned all the precautionary measures of Covid-19; people no longer wear the facemasks – if they see you wearing the facemask, they look at you indifferently.
“And if people are no more observing the precautionary measures given the impression that COVID-19 is gone, then, it will catch-up on us unaware.
“Personally, I never removed my facemask in a gathering; even when they say remove facemasks for group photographs, I don’t remove mine because it doesn’t take more than a second for a person to contract the infection.
”
Contributing, another virologist, Dr Everest Okeakpu, identifies “vaccination” as key in efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
Okeakpu, also the Chief Operating Officer, Biovaccines Nigeria Ltd., decries that many Nigerians particularly those in the informal sector, has not been vaccinated for COVID-19.
According to him, the surge in the reported new cases of COVID-19 does not come as a surprise because the Nigerian society has completely abandoned all the precautionary measures to the disease.
“Vaccination is the first step to preventing the contraction of the infection.
“If you are vaccinated and at least obey the preventive measures – your chances of contracting the COVID-19 infection will be very low,” Okeakpu said.
He emphasises the need for people to always complete the dosage of the vaccine accordingly – first dose, second dose and the booster dose respectively, saying that would make the vaccine more effective.
Prof. Babatunde Salako, Director-General of the Nigerian Institute Of Medical Research ( NIMR), tells NAN that among measures to curtail and stop the spread of COVID-19 is the need for research and development of indigenous solutions.
He emphasises that continuous research on local remedies and surveillance should be of top priority.
“We have done all that should be done, what we need is more campaign against vaccine hesitancy and get more people vaccinated in the country’’.
Salako urges Nigerians to continue observing adhere to all precautionary measures given by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to curb the spread of the virus.
Also, Prof. James Damen, the National President, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), says many Nigerians no longer observe the basic safety precautions given by the NCDC.
“People are no longer observing the basic COVID-19 precautions in place and that is why we are seeing this increase.
“People should stick to these guidelines and the government also should not relent in educating the public on it.
’’
Damen notes that some of the molecular laboratories provided by the government in institutions are not functioning well.
”The government have tried to provide molecular laboratories to institutions across the country but some are not functioning well because they are headed by pathologists which is not their area of expertise.
”Laboratories are supposed to be headed by lab scientists and we know Labouratory play key roles in terms of surveillance during pandemic or epidemic.
“We expect the government to do the needful,” he said.
He adds that more funds should be committed to fund research that would reduced the country’s dependence on foreign items.
”I think the government should take the issue of vaccine production , testing tools within the country into consideration because we have the expertise here in the country,” Damen says.
Indeed, the emergence of COVID-19 came with changes that give cause for people to readjust their outlooks and lifestyles to avoid the extreme consequences of the disease.
So, while the end of the virus still appears uncertain, especially with the dynamics, people have to live their lives.
Hence, in order to live this healthy “COVID-19 Free” life that experts advocate, among other strategies, there is need to develop local remedies, accelerate and scale-up integrated COVID-19 vaccination.
Adherence to the COVID-19 guidelines for their safety as well as increased and sustained sensitisation are also important for a ”COVID-free” lifestyle among residents and people of Nigeria.
(NANFeatures)
***If used, please credit the authors and the News Agency of Nigeria .
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Local remedies, sustained sensitisation, precautionary measures panacea to COVID-19 spread in Nigeria
Local remedies, sustained sensitisation, precautionary measures panacea to COVID-19 spread in Nigeria
By Lilian Okoro and Kemi Akintokun, News Agency of Nigeria
As the country continues to record more cases of COVID-19, experts emphasise the need for effective and lasting measures to curtail further spread of the virus in Nigeria.
Some of the measures include intensifying efforts on research for local remedies, renewed and sustained sensitisation as well as adherence to measures.
Coronaviruses are a group of related viruses that cause diseases in mammals and birds.
In humans, coronaviruses cause respiratory tract infections that can range from mild to fatal.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that on Dec. 31, 2019, the first reported known infections from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) were recorded in Wuhan, China, though the original source of viral transmission to humans remains unclear.
It was on Feb. 11, 2020, that the World Health Organisation (WHO) officially issued the names COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 as the name of the new virus coronaviruses detected in Wuhan.
According to it, this name is chosen because the virus is genetically related to the coronavirus responsible for the SARS outbreak of 2003. While related, the two viruses are different.
In Nigeria, the first case of the virus emerged on Feb. 28, 2020 and the cases increased rapidly within six months to 47,743 cases with 979 deaths as of Aug. 12, 2020.
It steadily increased and a lockdown was eventually put in place alongside other measures to curb the spread of the virus.
When the attendant economic consequences of the lockdown in the country became unbearable, the government was compelled to announce a phased and gradual easing of the lockdown in the FCT, Lagos and Ogun states from May 5, 2020.
The cases continue to fluctuate with the different waves of COVID-19.
However, lately, the number of COVID-19 cases in the country have been on the rise since July 2022.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) also reports of an additional 144 new COVID-19 cases from Aug. 14 to 15, 2022 where Lagos State is ahead of other states with 101 cases.
A Virologist, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, called for more consistency in the way information, data and updates on COVID-19 pandemic are being provided to the general public in Nigeria.
Tomori, also the Chairman, Biovaccines Nigeria Ltd., tells NAN that there has not been adequate breakdown information on how or where the surge in the COVID-19 new cases are actually coming from; whether it is from people coming into the country or it is being spread among people who live in the country.
According to him, up-to-date information on the COVID-19 situations will pave the way for easy assessment, analysis and predictions concerning the disease at any point in time.
“For some time now, I have observed that there is no longer consistency in the way and manner in which updates and about Covid-19 are being provided for public consumption.
“The NCDC that initially provides information and updates about Covid-19 on daily basis, no longer do so.
“The Centre now comes out to give updates on the disease on weekly basis – it is not supposed to be that way.
“ Information and updates on the condition is still supposed to be provided every day because in other countries, update is still on daily basis.
”This is because up-to-date information will make it easy for proper assessment, analysis, monitoring and predictions about the pandemic,” Tomori says.
Tomori urges the NCDC to intensify efforts to ensure wider information to greater percentage of the populace, because not everybody has access to its website or Twitter handle.
The virologist also calls on the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 to rise up to its mandates and deploy necessary strategic measures to contain the pandemic because it is still very much present in the country.
According to him, there is no longer information concerning the operations of the Taskforce.
He said, ”The major mandate of the taskforce is to coordinate and oversee Nigeria’s multi-sectoral inter-governmental efforts to contain the spread and mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.
“But unfortunately, we no longer hear anything about its operations.
Even the designated diagnostic laboratories seems not to be functioning.
“We seem to have abandoned all the precautionary measures of Covid-19; people no longer wear the facemasks – if they see you wearing the facemask, they look at you indifferently.
“And if people are no more observing the precautionary measures given the impression that COVID-19 is gone, then, it will catch-up on us unaware.
“Personally, I never removed my facemask in a gathering; even when they say remove facemasks for group photographs, I don’t remove mine because it doesn’t take more than a second for a person to contract the infection.
”
Contributing, another virologist, Dr Everest Okeakpu, identifies “vaccination” as key in efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
Okeakpu, also the Chief Operating Officer, Biovaccines Nigeria Ltd., decries that many Nigerians particularly those in the informal sector, has not been vaccinated for COVID-19.
According to him, the surge in the reported new cases of COVID-19 does not come as a surprise because the Nigerian society has completely abandoned all the precautionary measures to the disease.
“Vaccination is the first step to preventing the contraction of the infection.
“If you are vaccinated and at least obey the preventive measures – your chances of contracting the COVID-19 infection will be very low,” Okeakpu said.
He emphasises the need for people to always complete the dosage of the vaccine accordingly – first dose, second dose and the booster dose respectively, saying that would make the vaccine more effective.
Prof. Babatunde Salako, Director-General of the Nigerian Institute Of Medical Research ( NIMR), tells NAN that among measures to curtail and stop the spread of COVID-19 is the need for research and development of indigenous solutions.
He emphasises that continuous research on local remedies and surveillance should be of top priority.
“We have done all that should be done, what we need is more campaign against vaccine hesitancy and get more people vaccinated in the country’’.
Salako urges Nigerians to continue observing adhere to all precautionary measures given by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to curb the spread of the virus.
Also, Prof. James Damen, the National President, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), says many Nigerians no longer observe the basic safety precautions given by the NCDC.
“People are no longer observing the basic COVID-19 precautions in place and that is why we are seeing this increase.
“People should stick to these guidelines and the government also should not relent in educating the public on it.
’’
Damen notes that some of the molecular laboratories provided by the government in institutions are not functioning well.
”The government have tried to provide molecular laboratories to institutions across the country but some are not functioning well because they are headed by pathologists which is not their area of expertise.
”Laboratories are supposed to be headed by lab scientists and we know Labouratory play key roles in terms of surveillance during pandemic or epidemic.
“We expect the government to do the needful,” he said.
He adds that more funds should be committed to fund research that would reduced the country’s dependence on foreign items.
”I think the government should take the issue of vaccine production , testing tools within the country into consideration because we have the expertise here in the country,” Damen says.
Indeed, the emergence of COVID-19 came with changes that give cause for people to readjust their outlooks and lifestyles to avoid the extreme consequences of the disease.
So, while the end of the virus still appears uncertain, especially with the dynamics, people have to live their lives.
Hence, in order to live this healthy “COVID-19 Free” life that experts advocate, among other strategies, there is need to develop local remedies, accelerate and scale-up integrated COVID-19 vaccination.
Adherence to the COVID-19 guidelines for their safety as well as increased and sustained sensitisation are also important for a ”COVID-free” lifestyle among residents and people of Nigeria.
(NANFeatures)
***If used, please credit the authors and the News Agency of Nigeria .
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has trained leaders of various unions and organisations on requisite strategies to curb the spread of COVID-19 infection through testing and vaccination.
Mr Tahir Hashim, the Assistant Secretary General, NLC, presented an ‘Overview of C19SM Social Mobilisation for the Update of COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination at Work Guidelines on the virus Prevention and Control’ at a 2day training held in Ilorin on Monday.
Hashim explained that the programme was aimed at upscaling awareness campaign for more Nigerians to be tested and vaccinated.
He disclosed that “as at Feb. 28, there has been 434,154,739 confirmed cases of COVID-19 globally with 5,944,342 deaths reported by World Health Organisation (WHO) out of which Nigeria has 254,560 confirmed cases with 3,142 deaths”.
According to him, different variants of SARS-Cov-2 have been identified so far; Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron with main symptoms of fever, tiredness and sore throat, among others.
“There is no cure for COVID-19. However, vaccines are available to reduce morbidity and mortality.
“The non-pharmaceutical measures include wearing nose mask, physical distancing and frequent hand washing, general and respiratory hygiene are some of the effective ways of preventing the spread of COVID-19 virus,” he said.
On the training, Hashim noted that the management of COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria continues to evolve in the light of changing circumstances and risks posed to the health systems and economy.
“The development of guidelines has been necessitated by the spread and consequences of the virus in Nigeria and the world at large.
“It is also in realisation of the key roles which governments, employers and workers can play in ensuring safe and healthy practices in work place and as well to provide information on strategies for the containment of the spread and the mitigation of the impact of COVID-19 in Nigeria.
”
Hashim informed that the global funded sponsored-programme was targeted at training over 200 peer educators, who are expected to replicate same in at least 20 persons in their various organisations for the message to percolate the grassroots.
He declared that Occupational Safety and Health Department of Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment would continue to train and equip factory inspectors in collaboration with relevant stakeholders for effective and safe monitoring, as well support compliance with the guidelines as the battle against COVID-19 continues.
Earlier, Mr Issa Ore, the Kwara NLC Chairman, stated that COVID-19 has ravaged the world while adverse effect was devastating since its outbreak in 2019.
He expressed worry about the lingering COVID-19 outbreak, saying that it is against this backdrop that the leadership of NLC in partnership with other organisations like NCDC and NACA organised the training to scale up preventive measures.
While advising participants to make use of whatever they learnt judiciously, Ore said: “When we thought we were overcoming it, scientists discovered another variant, which was stronger and killing faster than COVID-19.
“We appreciate the Nigerian government for its foresight, and to have worked assiduously with States and other countries in sharing information towards ameliorating the virus transmission.
“With the training, participants will undergo series of presentations with facts and figures on the effects of the disease.
“Valuable suggestions would be made available to assist Nigerians, and the world at large to overcome the crisis,” Ore said.
In her goodwill message, Jessica Akinrongbe, Senior Emergency Response Officer for Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) Abuja, spoke of the readiness of NCDC to partner NLC in the fight against the virus.
“Our hope is that at the end of the training, people would be able to realise that if you save a family, you save a nation,” she added.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
A recent study from the University of the Witwatersrand Vaccines and Infectious Analytics Research (VIDA) reveals that people who have received the COVID-19 vaccine and previous exposure to the virus are less likely to contract severe COVID-19 illness. This type of immunity is called hybrid immunity, sometimes also called "superimmunity," and has been highlighted as the best way to reduce serious illness and death in people who become infected with the SARS-Cov_2 virus, the virus that causes COVID-19. The study, titled 'Population Immunity and COVID-19 Severity with Omicron Variant in South Africa', reveals that ideally, we need both types of immunity. According to the research, the discovery of hybrid immunity to COVID-19 marks a hopeful turn in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Lead epidemiologist and author of the Wits VIDA research study, Dr. Portia Mutevedzi, says that hybrid immunity is considered a double layer of protection against COVID-19. “There are two types of immunity; the natural immunity that we develop through exposure to the virus and the vaccine-induced immunity that develops as a result of vaccination,” adds Dr. Mutevedzi. The study researchers estimated the number of seropositives, that is, people who had antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 within the general population of Gauteng. The results showed that people were 93.1% more likely to be HIV-positive if they had both the vaccine and prior exposure to COVID-19. This is especially important for diseases like COVID-19, which cause serious illness and death. Vaccinating people even after they have had the disease ensures that they have higher levels of antibodies for a longer period of time. As a result of this hybrid immunity, there were far fewer COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths during the fourth wave, compared to previous waves. The omicron variant resulted in 1 in 100 cases requiring hospitalization, up from 1 in 24 previously. "Research shows that vaccination saves lives," concludes Dr. Mutevedzi. He adds that the public should be aware that due to the unpredictable mutation of COVID-19, new variants emerging may require us to receive booster shots. Therefore, it is important, especially for high-risk groups, to get vaccinated and booster doses, even if they have had COVID-19 before.
The introduction of Ag-RDT has greatly contributed to increasing access to testing
ADO-EKITI, Nigeria, September 30, 2021 / APO Group / -“Getting my covid-19 result in under 6 hours and not having to wait for days was a relief. The short turnaround time allowed me to make the appropriate and timely decision to self-isolate, says Oluwatoyosi Eniola, a health worker in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state.
Ms Eniola had experienced all of the symptoms of covid-19 (headache severe enough to disrupt her sleep, nasal congestion and cough) after returning from an official trip out of Ekiti, prompting her to travel to clinic at his workplace for tests. The result was positive.
Fortunately, she didn't have to wait days to receive her test result. Prior to that, the state government, backed by the World Health Organization, had introduced a new Antigen Rapid Diagnostic Tests (Ag-RDT) diagnostic kit with the goal of improving the ability to test covid-19 in Ekiti State. The Antigen-Based Rapid Diagnostic Test (Ag-RDT) is a new, rapid and easy-to-deploy diagnostic tool (generates a result in 15-30 minutes) and a viable alternative to molecular platforms for confirming cases of COVID-19.
Antigenic RDT has been deployed at the primary health care (PHC) level to improve testing at the community level, bring it closer to the population, improve turnaround time for results, and enable rapid management decisions. Since the start of the pandemic in Nigeria, labs have used real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) reverse transcriptase testing to detect SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the disease. However, there had been challenges such as accessing the test and the long turnaround time for results.
For example, prior to the deployment of the Antigen RDT test, there were only 27 specimen collection sites in the 16 LGAs in Ekiti State. This posed the challenge of rapid rotation of results, especially at the PFS level, where even symptomatic cases had to wait at least 3-4 days to find out their COVID-19 status.
In addition, some customers have had to travel long distances between their establishments and the few sample collection sites to submit samples for PCR testing, as the only real-time PCR testing facility is located in Ado Ekiti, the capital of the state. On average, it takes a minimum of 3 days to get results depending on the number of samples collected.
Increase in reported cases
The introduction of Ag-RDT has gone a long way in increasing access to tests because they can be used at the point of care and results are published quickly. Nigeria, as of September 19, 2021, has reported 201,630 cases with 2,654 deaths, including 1,688 cases in Ekiti state. But with the introduction of the Ag-RDT test in week 24 (June 2021) Third wave of Covid-19, there has been a steady increase in tests and confirmed cases in the state, representing an increase of 91 , 2% of reported cases. (Statistics from Ekiti Sitrep).
Complementing the government and WHO, Ms Eniola said: “I'm glad the wait time for my result was short. The reduction in waiting time is an encouragement for sick people because they do not have to undergo the torture of waiting to know their status.
Meanwhile, Ekiti State Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Mr. Akinjide Akinleye (mni) praised the improved testing and reduced wait times for patients for results.
"I am satisfied with the response to COVID19 activities at the LGA level, with increased sample collection, early detection of cases, and thank you to WHO for this timely intervention," he said. declared.
The intervention
In order to be able to use Ag-RDT, it is important that the people performing the tests are properly trained. In this regard, WHO, in collaboration with the NCDC, assisted the state government to train 121 PHC laboratory workers and clinicians in the appropriate and safe use of approved Ag-RDTs for the diagnosis of COVID- 19.
WHO also provided logistical support for the activation of sample collection and testing at the PHC level in the 16 LGAs. As a result, Ag RDT test sites have grown from 27 to 147 across the state, with at least one Ag RDT test site in at least seven departments in each of the 16 LGAs.
Highlighting the benefit of decentralizing sample collection and testing sites, WHO Ag. State coordinator Dr Emmanuel Eyitayo said Nigeria battling the ongoing third wave, rapid testing and a turnaround time for results will allow an early decision on patient management, as health workers are better protected, thus facilitating control of the epidemic.
The Acting SC noted that the results of Ag-RDTs are almost as accurate as those of RT-PCR (i.e. over 97% specificity) when performed by appropriately trained health workers. trained.
One of the effective tools for diagnosing COVID-19 cases is the rapid diagnostic antigen test. It is recommended to be adopted at the PHC level for rapid diagnosis and rapid decision-making in the management of COVID-19 cases.
SAGO will advise the WHO Secretariat on technical and scientific considerations regarding emerging and re-emerging pathogens
GENEVA, Switzerland, September 27, 2021 / APO Group / -WHO has received many excellent applications for the WHO Scientific Advisory Group on the Origins of New Pathogens (SAGO), but is reopening applications for three days to attract additional applicants. WHO particularly wishes to encourage applications from the WHO regions of Africa and South-East Asia and from women. The call will open Monday through Wednesday September 27-29, closing at 24:00 CET on September 29.
Please note that if you have already submitted an expression of interest for SAGO, no further action is required on your part; this reopening is reserved for new expressions of interest.
Background
The rapid emergence and spread of SARS-CoV-2 has highlighted the importance of being prepared for any future event, to be able to quickly identify new pathogens and address contributing risk factors. to their emergence and spread. In May 2020, the World Health Assembly, through resolution WHA73.1, requested the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) to continue working closely with the World Health Organization (OIE), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and countries, as part of the One Health approach, to identify the source of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the route of entry into the human population.
There have been an increasing number of emerging and re-emerging high-risk pathogens in recent years with, for example, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, Lassa, Marburg, Ebola, Nipah, avian influenza, the latest in date being SARS-CoV-2. There is not only a need for robust surveillance and early actions for rapid detection and mitigation efforts, but a need for robust and systematic processes to build the study around the emergence of these agents. pathogens and routes of transmission from their natural reservoirs to humans.
To this end, the Director-General has established the WHO Scientific Advisory Group on the Origins of Novel Pathogens (hereinafter referred to as “SAGO”). SAGO will advise the WHO Secretariat on technical and scientific considerations regarding emerging and re-emerging pathogens, and will be composed of experts acting in their personal capacity. It is established in accordance with the WHO Regulations for Study and Scientific Groups, Collaborating Institutions and other Collaborative Mechanisms.
Functions of SAGO
As an advisory body to WHO, SAGO will have the following functions:
Advise WHO on the development of a WHO global framework to define and guide studies on the origins of emerging and re-emerging pathogens with epidemic and pandemic potential; Advise WHO on the prioritization of studies and field surveys on the origins of emerging and re-emerging pathogens with epidemic and pandemic potential, in accordance with the WHO global framework described in point (1) above; Provide information and views to assist the WHO Secretariat in developing a detailed SAGO work plan; In the context of the origins of SARS-CoV-2: provide the WHO Secretariat with an independent assessment of all available scientific and technical findings from global studies on the origins of SARS-CoV-2; Advise the WHO Secretariat on the development, monitoring and support of the next round of studies on the origins of SARS-CoV-2, including rapid advice on WHO operational plans to implement the next round of global studies on the origins of SARS-CoV-2, as shown in the report of the WHO-China Joint Global Study on the Origins of SARS-CoV-2: China Part released on March 30, 2021 and give advice on further studies if necessary; and Provide additional guidance and support to WHO, as requested by the WHO SAGO Secretariat, which may include participation in future WHO international missions to investigate the origins of SARS-CoV-2 or other emerging pathogens.SAGO operations
SAGO meets regularly. The first meeting will take place in October 2021. SAGO meetings can be held in person or virtually (at WHO headquarters in Geneva or other location, as determined by WHO), by video or teleconference. SAGO meetings may be held in open session and / or in camera, as decided by the President in consultation with WHO. The working language of the group will be English. WHO may, in its sole discretion, from time to time invite outsiders to attend public sessions of an Advisory Group, or parts of it, as “observers”. SAGO may decide to create smaller working groups (SAGO sub-groups) to work on specific issues. SAGO members must attend meetings. The reports of each meeting are submitted by SAGO to the Director-General of WHO. All SAGO recommendations are advisory to WHO, which retains full control over all subsequent decisions or actions regarding any proposal, policy issue or other matter considered by SAGO. SAGO should normally make recommendations by consensus.
Who can express their interest?
SAGO will be multidisciplinary, with members who have a range of technical knowledge, skills and experience relevant to emerging and re-emerging pathogens. Up to 25 experts can be selected.
WHO welcomes expressions of interest from individuals with significant expertise in one or more of the following technical disciplines to ensure a One Health approach:
epidemiology of infectious diseases and carrying out epidemiological studies; field research; virology; ecology; molecular epidemiology; seroepidemiology; Medication; bioinformatics; epidemic analysis; health statistics; microbiology; veterinary Medicine; food safety; bacteriology; environmental sciences; biosecurity; biosecurity; occupational health and safety; safety and security of laboratories; ethics and social sciences; or other activities related to the emergence or re-emergence of potentially pandemic pathogens.Submit your expression of interest
To express your interest in being considered for SAGO, please submit the following documents by September 29, 2021 midnight CET to [email protected] using the subject line “Expression of Interest in SAGO”:
A motivation letter, indicating your motivation to apply and how you meet the selection criteria (maximum 500 words). Please note that, if selected, membership will be on a personal basis. So do not use letterhead or other identification of your employer); Your curriculum vitae; and A signed and completed Declaration of Interest (DOI) form for WHO experts, available at https://www.who.int/about/ethics/declarations-of-interest.After submission, your expression of interest will be reviewed by WHO. Due to an expected high volume of interest, only those selected will be notified. WHO intends to complete the selection of SAGO members by the end of September 2021 and to hold the first meeting in October 2021.
As noted above, if you have already submitted an expression of interest in SAGO, no further action is required on your part; this reopening is reserved for new expressions of interest.
Important information on selection processes and appointment conditions
Members of WHO advisory groups should be free from any real, potential or apparent conflict of interest. To this end, applicants are required to complete the WHO Declaration of Interest for WHO Experts, and selection as a member of SAGO depends, among other things, on the determination by WHO that there is no conflict of interest or that any identified conflict could be managed appropriately (in addition to WHO's assessment of the candidate's experience, expertise and motivation and 'other criteria).
All members of SAGO will serve as individual experts and will not represent any government, industry or commercial entity, research, academic or civil society organization, or any other body, entity, institution or organization. They must fully comply with the WHO Expert Code of Conduct (https://www.who.int/about/ethics/declarations-of-interest). SAGO members will be required to sign and return a completed confidentiality agreement prior to the start of the first meeting.
At any time during the process, telephone interviews can be scheduled between a candidate and the WHO Secretariat to allow WHO to ask questions relating to the candidate's experience and expertise and / or '' assess whether the candidate meets the criteria for membership of the GA concerned.
The selection of SAGO members will be made by WHO at its sole discretion, taking into account the following (non-exclusive) criteria: relevant technical expertise; experience in working on international and national policies; previous participation in international WHO missions to study the emergence of emerging and re-emerging pathogens; communication skills; and the ability to work constructively with people of different backgrounds and cultural orientations. SAGO members will also consider the need for diverse perspectives from different regions, especially low- and middle-income countries, and for gender balance.
If selected by WHO, proposed members will receive an invitation letter and memorandum of understanding. Appointment as a member of SAGO will be subject to the submission by the proposed member to WHO of a countersigned copy of these two documents.
WHO reserves the right to accept or reject any expression of interest, to cancel the open appeal process and to reject all expressions of interest at any time without incurring any liability to the applicant (s) concerned. and without any obligation to inform the candidate (s) concerned of the reasons for WHO's action. WHO may also decide, at any time, not to proceed with the establishment of the SAGO, to dissolve an existing technical advisory group or to modify the work of the SAGO.
WHO will under no circumstances be obligated to disclose, or discuss with a candidate, how an expression of interest was assessed, or to provide any other information relating to the assessment / selection process or to indicate the reasons why a member was not chosen.
WHO can publish the names and a short biography of selected individuals on the WHO Internet.
SAGO members will not be remunerated for their services in connection with SAGO or otherwise. Travel and accommodation costs for SAGO members to attend SAGO meetings will be covered by WHO in accordance with its applicable policies, rules and procedures.
The appointment will be limited in time as indicated in the letter of appointment.
If you have any questions about this “Call for Experts”, please write to [email protected] well in advance of the applicable deadline.
Poland’s agriculture minister denied reports on Thursday that cases of the SARS-Cov-2 coronavirus have been detected in the country’s mink population.
Mink are dark-colored, semi aquatic, carnivorous mammals of the genera Neovison and Mustela, and part of the family Mustelidae, which also includes weasels, otters and ferrets.
On Wednesday, a team of researchers from Gdansk Medical University reported that the presence of the coronavirus was confirmed among eight out of 91 minks tested at a mink farm in northern Poland.
However, tests conducted by the state veterinary institute, in response to these reports, did not confirm the presence of the pathogen, Agriculture Minister Grzegorz Puda said, in comments reported by the PAP agency.
At present there are no confirmed cases of the coronavirus at mink farms in Poland, but the business will be closely monitored, the head of the state veterinary institute Krzysztof Niemczuk said on Thursday.
Since May, 280 fur farms have been examined with no coronavirus cases confirmed, according to the country’s chief veterinarian Bogdan Konopka, there are 840 fur farms in Poland, including 340 mink farms.
At the same time, Poland is preparing legislation which would regulate the potential culling of animals and compensation for farmers, the agriculture minister said.
Infections among minks had earlier been confirmed in other European countries, including Sweden or Denmark.
HS/
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Edited By: Halima Sheji/Emmanuel Yashim)
(NAN)
A team from the Gdansk Medical University on Tuesday confirmed the first case of coronavirus among minks in Poland.
Minks are dark-colored, semiaquatic, carnivorous mammals of the genera Neovison and Mustela, and part of the family Mustelidae, which also includes weasels, otters and ferrets.
The pathogen was detected on a farm in the Pomorskie region in northern Poland. Eight out of over 90 animals at the farm tested positive for the SARS-Cov-2 virus.
The Gdansk Medical University scientists wrote in a statement that the obtained results suggest that the virus may be transmitted from humans to minks.
Infections among minks had earlier been confirmed in other European countries, including Sweden or Denmark.
Poland has reported a total of over 909,000 coronavirus cases and 14,300 fatalities after adding over 10,000 cases and 540 fatalities.
Edited By: Hadiza Mohammed/Isaac Aregbesola
(NAN)
Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford on Monday said that their newly developed COVID-19 vaccine is, on average, 70.4 per cent effective.
They suggested that it is not as powerful as two vaccines already announced by other firms.
The interim analysis of phase 3 clinical trials showed the results of two different dosing regimes.
A 90 per cent affectivity rate was achieved when a half dose was given first, followed by a full dose of the vaccine at least a month later.
A lower 62per cent figure came from patients given two full doses, at least a month apart.
The Anglo-Swedish drug maker said that results showed the vaccine was “highly effective in preventing COVID-19,’’ the disease caused by the new Coronavirus, and that there were no hospitalizations or severe cases in anyone who received the experimental drug.
“Today marks an important milestone in our fight against the pandemic,’’ AstraZeneca’s chief executive Pascal Soriot said.
The international race to find a vaccine to counter Coronavirus infections, and therefore stop the pandemic, has already seen two major competitors.
United States pharmaceuticals giant Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech have announced that their drug is 95 per cent effective, and that there were no safety concerns.
The companies were already applying for an emergency use authorization from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The United States pharmaceutical firm Moderna on Nov.16, had announced that its COVID-19 vaccine candidate was 94.5 per cent effective.
Oxford University’s Andrew Pollard said that “these findings show that we have an effective vaccine that will save many lives.’’
“Excitingly, we’ve found that one of our dosing regimens may be around 90 per cent effective and if this dosing regime is used, more people could be vaccinated with planned vaccine supply.’’
The vaccine entered phase 3 trials in September. They were temporarily stopped because of health concerns with a participant in Britain, but have since been resumed.
Unlike the Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines, the Astrazeneca drug does not use mRNA technology to fight the virus in the body.
It is designed to stimulate the production of antibodies and T-cells, which then attack the virus.
The vaccine “contains the genetic material of the SARS-CoV-2 virus spike protein. After vaccination, the surface spike protein is produced, priming the immune system to attack the SARS-CoV-2 virus if it later infects the body.’’
Experts cautioned that it may be too early to conclude how effective the newly announced vaccine is, and that more data was required.
This data will be eagerly awaited by several countries that have pre-ordered millions of doses from AstraZeneca and Oxford. The European Union alone has ordered 300 million doses.
The EU, the United States, Britain, Japan and Brazil have all signed initial contracts with AstraZeneca for vaccine deliveries if the medication is approved by regulators.
Edited By: Halima Sheji/Mouktar Adamu
(NAN)
