COVID-19: WHO Declares New Variant As Highly Transmissible, Another Nigerian Losses Battle To The Pandemic

World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the Delta Variant of COVID-19 as the most transmissible mutation to date. Director-General, WHO, Tedros Ghebreyesus disclosed that delta co had been identified in at least 85 countries and is “spreading rapidly among unvaccinated populations”. “As some countries ease public health and social measures, we are starting to see increases in transmission around the world,” he said.

Resident Doctors Commence Indefinite Strike

Despite last-minute efforts by the Nigerian Government Members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Thursday commenced a nationwide indefinite strike. NARD President, Dr Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, announced the commencement of the industrial action during an interview on Sunrise Daily – a breakfast programme on Channels Television. “The strike commenced 8 am this morning, and we enjoin all resident doctors to start the strike immediately,” he said. The resident doctors, in a tweet on Thursday, said the strike was not intended to hurt the public.

Nigeria Develops Two COVID-19 Vaccine, Awaits Clinical Trials, Certification

Following the high demand and limited supply of the COVID-19 vaccines in the world, Nigeria has developed two vaccines against the Coronavirus and is set to undergo clinical trials and possible certification.

BREAKING: FG Revisits COVID-19 Restrictions, Returns Curfew

The Federal Government has re-introduced a nationwide 12am to 4am curfew as part of efforts to curtail the further spread of COVID-19. The National Incident Manager and Head of Technical Secretariat of the Presidential Steering Committee, Mukhtar Mohammed, disclosed this at a press briefing of the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 in Abuja. According to Mohammed, the curfew would take effect from midnight on Monday, May 10. He also informed that with effect from Tuesday, night clubs, gyms, and others would remain closed till further notice.

COVID-19: AU Signs Deal For 400M Johnson and Johnson Vaccine

The African Union (AU) is set to receive 400 million doses of Johnson&Johnson’s single-shot COVID-19 vaccine following the successful conclusion of the agreement through the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT). This was made known in a statement by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) on Monday, saying that an additional 180 million doses of the single-shot vaccine could be purchased when the successful purchase agreement. The statement said the vaccine will be made available across African countries within 18 months through the African Medical Supplies Platform (AMSP).

COVID-19: WHO Approves J&J Vaccine

The World Health Organization (WHO) has on Friday approved the COVID-29 vaccine developed by Johnson&Johnson, making it an additional 500 million doses to be added to the COVAX global vaccine sharing scheme. The approval comes after Johnson&Johnson’s single jab dose vaccine won approval from the European Union (EU) on Thursday. In a statement, Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Chief said “Every new, safe and effective tool against Covid-19 is another step closer to controlling the pandemic.”