Health

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Tuesday, January 12, demolished five local entertainment centres known in Hausa language as “Gidan Drama” and “Gidan Dembe”, and also arraigned 25 persons including motorists and commuters for allegedly violating COVID-19 protocols, including lack of observance of social distance and refusal to wear facemask. The head, Media, Public Enlightenment and Advocacy of the FCT Ministerial Enforcement Taskforce, Comrade Ikharo Attah, while addressing reporters during the three hours exercise said: “the removal of the structures became inevitable following repeated warnings to the owners and operators of the Gidan Drama and Gidan Dembe to stop operations because they are prohibited to do so under the COVID-19 Protocols and Guidelines”.

The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora, on Monday has hinted that the ongoing National Identification Number (NIN) registration may be suspended over COVID-19 risks accompanied by rise in cases. Mamora Stated this while speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday. He urged the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to go back to the drawing board and re-order the process to avoid large crowds at its centres nationwide. Mamora who is also a member of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, said the government has a duty to ensure citizens are protected at all times.

Nigeria has recorded fresh 1544 COVID-19 infections. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), on its verified Twitter handle on Friday revealed the new figures noting that the country sadly recorded twelve additional deaths in the last 24 hours, raising the overall total in the nation since the start of the pandemic to 1,342, while the overall total confirmed cases is 97,478, and 78,552 recovered cases. According to the health agency the new cases were from 20 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Lagos recorded the highest 739 new cases, with Plateau state following next with 168. The FCT had 153 cases.

The toll for COVID-19 cases in Nigeria increased yesterday by 917 fresh cases. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on its Twitter handle on Sunday, January 3, 2021, announced the new figure, stating that nine new deaths were recorded in the past 24 hours in the country. According to the public health agency, the total number of infections in the country currently stands at 90,080. The number of discharged cases stands at 75,044, while the total number of deaths in the country is 1,311.

China has promised to provide free COVID-19 vaccines to all its citizens. Deputy Head of the National Health Commission, Zeng Yixin, made the disclosure at a news conference on Thursday. The vaccine is a public good by its nature, and the price may vary based on the scale of use, but an important premise is that it will be provided to the public for free," Yixin said. China approved its first homegrown coronavirus vaccine for general public use on Thursday, with officials promising to provide the general public with free inoculations. The approved inactivate vaccine has shown 79.34 percent efficacy against COVID-19, according to the interim results of the phase-3 clinical trials unveiled by its development on Wednesday.

The Presidential Taskforce (PTF) on COVID-19 on Wednesday revealed to Nigerians that the vaccine for the deadly coronavirus will be administered free of charge when vaccination commences in Nigeria. National Coordinator of PTF, Sani Aliyu, who made the disclosure on Wednesday, said President Muhammadu Buhari has given the PTF his consent to proceed with preparations with regard to the vaccine. “Yesterday, the President gave the PTF the mandate to proceed with preparations with regard to the vaccine.