₦airaland Forum

The deadly COVID-19 is taking its toll on Africa, especially in this second wave of the virus, with many people being infected and many dying.

As at February 3, 2021, a total of 3,609,468 cases of Coronavirus have been reported in Africa, with 92,909 deaths recorded.

Nine countries form the COVID-19 hotbeds in the continent, accounting for 80.79 percent of the infections.

These countries also account for 86.38 percent of COVID-19 deaths in the continent.

Travellers and tourists must note these countries and move with trepidation and extreme cautiousness when travelling to them or you may sign your death warrant. It is advisable not to travel to these countries now because or ravaging Coronavirus.

These countries are: South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Libya, Algeria and Kenya.

How dangerous are these countries?


1. South Africa

South Africa is the worst nation to travel to right now in Africa. As at February 3, 2021, South Africa has reported 1,462,016 cases of Coronavirus since the first case of the virus was detected on March 5, 2020 in the country. This accounts for 40.5 percent of total infections in Africa. South Africa is like the US of Africa in terms of COVID-19 infections.

South Africa has also reported 45,344 COVID-19 deaths, accounting for 48.8 percent of total deaths in the continent. This makes the nation a place to avoid right now, more so, a new and deadlier variant is ravaging the nation presently.

2. Morocco

Morocco is the second deadliest nation in Africa, as it has amassed 472,273 cases of Coronavirus since the virus hits the nation on March 2, 2020. The North African country accounts for 13.08 percent of the continent’s infections. It has also recorded 8,308 deaths from the virus, accounting for 8.94 percent deaths in the continent. This makes it a Coronavirus hotbed in the continent. Tourists must beware or avoid travelling to Morocco right now.

3. Tunisia

Tunisia, another North African country is a COVID-19 hotbed right now. The nation has posted 211,412 cases of the virus since it hits the country on March 2, 2020. The country accounts 5.85 percent of infections in Africa. It has so far recorded 6,893 deaths, accounting for 7.41 percent of deaths in the continent. It is a country to watch when travelling right now.

4. Egypt

The deadly Coronavirus virus hits the North African country on February 14, 2020 and it has never looked back as infections soared to 167,013, accounting for 4.62 percent of continental infections. The country has reported 9,407 deaths so far. This accounts for 10.11 percent deaths on the continent. Travellers must extremely exercise caution in going to Egypt right now.

5. Ethiopia

Ethiopia is the 5th Coronavirus hotbed in Africa. The virus reached the country on March 13, 2020. It has so far infected 139,408 people. This accounts for 3.86 continental COVID-29 cases. The country has also reported 2,122 Coronavirus deaths, accounting for 2.28 percent infections in Africa. This makes Ethiopia a dangerous nation to travel to right now.

6. Nigeria

Nigeria is another country to avoid travelling to right now in Africa. The country has reported 134,690 cases of Coronavirus virus, accounting for 3.73 percent infections in Africa, with 1,618 deaths recorded since the pandemic broke out on February 27, 2020. This represents 1.74 percent of deaths in Africa.

The country is currently facing a deadly second wave with the rate of infections and deaths higher than the first wave and the British new variant of the virus has been found in Nigeria, making it a risk for people to travel to the nation right now.

7. Libya

Libya, with 121,243 cases of Coronavirus accounts for 3.3 percent continental infections. The virus broke out in the country on March 24, 2020. So far, 1,914 people have died from the virus in the North African country, accounting for 2.1 percent deaths in Africa.

8. Algeria

The North African country has posted 108,116 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic broke in the country on February 2020. Algeria accounts for 3 percent of infections in Africa. The nation has reported 2,900 deaths. This represents 3.1 percent of deaths in the continent.

9. Kenya

The East African country has reported 101,159 Coronavirus cases since the pandemic reached the country on March 13, 2020. This accounts for 2.8 percent of infections in Africa. Its 1,769 deaths represents 1.9 percent deaths in the continent.
This makes the nation a place to avoid right now.

1340 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria;
FCT-320
Lagos-275
Rivers-117
Oyo-100
Akwa Ibom-57
Ogun-51
Ebonyi-48
Benue-44
Adamawa-42
Imo-38
Kwara-35
Gombe-32
Kaduna-31
Edo-29
Osun-29
Kano-24
Ekiti-15
Katsina-14
Delta-13
Nasarawa-13
Jigawa-10
Sokoto-3

Highlights
On the 4th of February 2021, 1340 new confirmed cases and 14 deaths were recorded in Nigeria
Till date, 136030 cases have been confirmed, 110449 cases have been discharged and 1632 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory
The 1340 new cases are reported from 22 states- FCT (320), Lagos (275), Rivers (117), Oyo (100), Akwa Ibom (57), Ogun (51), Ebonyi (48), Benue (44), Adamawa (42), Imo (38), Kwara (35), Gombe (32), Kaduna (31),Edo (29), Osun (29), Kano (24), Ekiti (15), Katsina (14), Delta (13), Nasarawa (13), Jigawa (10), and Sokoto (
A multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, continues to coordinate the national response activities

Our discharges today include 824 community recoveries in Lagos State, 448 in the FCT and 142 in Plateau State managed in line with guidelines.

February 3 https://www.nairaland.com/6398115/covid-19-update-february-3-2021

A former House of Representatives member from Kano, Dr. Abdullahi Maikano Rabiu has dead of COVID-19.

The veterinary doctor died at Kwanar Dawakin Isolation centre, in Kano.

Alhaji Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, a close family friend, announced the death on behalf of the family, disclosing that arrangement is being put in place for the burial of the late former legislator.

Rabiu was Assistant General Manager, defunct Bank of the North, former Chairman, Kano Micro Finance Bank and House of Representatives member in the second Republic.

It was further disclosed that he was elected into the Senate in 1998 under UNPP during the Sani Abacha regime.

Until his death, he was the Dalatun Bichi and District Head of Dawakin Tofa.

1,138 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria;
Lagos-377
FCT-172
Plateau-86
Kano-84
Edo-60
Osun-47
Nasarawa-41
Imo-40
Rivers-36
Niger-32
Oyo-32
Borno-29
Kaduna-27
Delta-18
Kwara-17
Cross River-9
Ekiti-8
Bauchi-7
Ogun-7
Sokoto-6
Bayelsa-3

Highlights
On the 3rd of February 2021, 1138 new confirmed cases and 5 deaths were recorded in Nigeria
Till date, 134690 cases have been confirmed, 108657 cases have been discharged and 1618 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory
The 1138 new cases are reported from 21 states- Lagos (377), FCT (172), Plateau (86), Kano (84), Edo (60), Osun (47), Nasarawa (41), Imo (40), Rivers (36), Niger (32), Oyo (32), Borno (29), Kaduna (27), Delta (18), Kwara (17), Cross River (9), Ekiti (, Bauchi (7), Ogun (7), Sokoto (6) and Bayelsa (3)
A multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, continues to coordinate the national response activities

Our discharges today include 476 community recoveries in Lagos State and 121 community recoveries in Plateau State managed in line with guidelines.

February 2 https://www.nairaland.com/6396325/covid-19-update-february-2-2021

1634 new cases of #COVID19;
Lagos-440
Anambra-160
FCT-158
Rivers-134
Abia-103
Oyo-90
Enugu-81
Osun-73
Gombe-54
Kwara-50
Ogun-32
Plateau-32
Akwa Ibom-31
Ondo-24
Borno-23
Delta-23
Ebonyi-21
Taraba-21
Bayelsa-16
Kaduna-15
Nasarawa-13
Jigawa-12
Bauchi-11
Kano-11
Zamfara-4
Sokoto-2

Highlights
On the 2nd of February 2021, 1634 new confirmed cases and 6 deaths were recorded in Nigeria
Till date, 133552 cases have been confirmed, 107551 cases have been discharged and 1613 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory
The 1634 new cases are reported from 26 states- Lagos (440), Anambra (160), FCT (158), Rivers (134), Abia (103), Oyo (90), Enugu (81), Osun (73), Gombe (54), Kwara (50), Ogun (32), Plateau (32), Akwa Ibom (31), Ondo (24), Borno (23), Delta (23), Ebonyi (21), Taraba (21), Bayelsa (16), Kaduna (15), Nasarawa (13), Jigawa (12), Bauchi (11), Kano (11), Zamfara (4) and Sokoto (2).
A multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, continues to coordinate the national response activities

Our discharges today include 551 community recoveries in Lagos State, 213 in Kaduna State and 103 in Kano State managed in line with guidelines.

February 1 https://www.nairaland.com/6394679/covid-19-update-february-1-2021

676 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria;
Lagos-227
Rivers-73
Niger-69
Plateau-56
FCT-50
Kano-44
Oyo-43
Ogun-27
Gombe-18
Ondo-15
Enugu-10
Osun-10
Cross River-8
Edo-8
Nasarawa-7
Bauchi-4
Kaduna-3
Ekiti-2
Zamfara-2

Highlights
On the 1st of February 2021, 676 new confirmed cases and 21 deaths were recorded in Nigeria
Till date, 131918 cases have been confirmed, 106275 cases have been discharged and 1607 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory
The 676 new cases are reported from 19 states- Lagos (227), Rivers (73), Niger (69), Plateau (56), FCT (50), Kano (44), Oyo (43), Ogun (27), Gombe (18), Ondo (15), Enugu (10), Osun (10), Cross River ( 8 ), Edo ( 8 ), Nasarawa (7), Bauchi (4), Kaduna (3), Ekiti (2), and Zamfara (2)
A multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, continues to coordinate the national response activities

Our discharges today include 776 community recoveries in Lagos State and 96 community recoveries in Plateau State managed in line with guidelines.

January 31 https://www.nairaland.com/6392927/covid-19-update-january-31-2021

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has declared Kogi a high-risk state for refusing to acknowledge the existence of the disease.

The PTF also said that the Kogi government had failed to report testing, lacked isolation centers and therefore warned Nigerians to be weary of visiting the state.

It said having analysed the pandemic in the country, 22 high burdened Local Government Areas within 13 states in the country had been identified.

The National Incident Manager (NIM) of the PTF COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Mukhtar Muhammad, said this on Monday in Abuja, during the PTF briefing on COVID-19.

Muhammad said: “In addition to these, we have states where data is not coming forth. If we don’t test, your data will not be analysed and if your data is not analysed, we won’t know the level of the pandemic in your state.

“Notable among the states are Yobe, Jigawa, Zamfara and Kebbi and of course Kogi that has not been reporting at all.

“States that are not testing are probably at much more higher risk than the states that are currently known as high burdened states.

“A state that is not testing at all is an absolute high risk for Nigerians to visit because, there is no testing facility and even if you fall sick, there is no isolation center and they don’t even acknowledge that the disease exists. So for that reason, we put that state at the top of high risk states.”

According to Mohammed, the 22 high burdened local government areas within 13 states in the country, mostly in the cities of the state capitals contributed over 95 per cent of new cases recorded in the last six weeks.

He listed the states and local governments as Nkanu West (Enugu); Abuja Municipal (FCT); Gwagwalada FCT; Gombe (Gombe); Chikun (Kaduna); Kaduna North; Kaduna South; Nassarawa (Kano); Katsina (Katsina); Ilorin South (Kwara); Ilorin West (Kwara); Eti-Osa (Lagos); Ikeja (Lagos); Kosofe (Lagos); Lagos Mainland (Lagos); Keffi (Nasarawa); (Lafia) Nasarawa; Ibadan North (Oyo); Jos North (Plateau); Jos South (Plateau); Port-Harcourt (Rivers); and Wamako (Sokoto).

He said the PTF was working currently to provide support to various states through their task forces towards contextualising and implementing the regulation signed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“As mentioned earlier, the regulation covers places of worship, public transport, banks, workplaces, sports and so on and so forth,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that notable features of the regulations include “Restrictions on gatherings, mandatory wearing of face masks in public and above all the powers of prosecution by law enforcement agencies.

“We expect governments, institutions, owners of private buildings and other regulators to enforce these regulations. For example, putting a notice of no mask no entry or no mask no service to enlighten users of their services.

“Pertinent strategies will be adopted and they will include mobile courts on strategic locations such as markets, motor parks and it is expected that every law enforcement agency will monitor complaints or their staff within which they supervise.

“We are providing advisory to the states to develop community engagement strategy and risk communication strategies to sensitise the public on compliance to these regulations and to promote behavioural changes.

“Last week, we started with the FCT, where we had a very fruitful meeting with the Minister and the stakeholders of the FCT. We are currently developing the implementation plan and the timeline for which the FCT Taskforce will commence operations all over the FCT,” he said.

1,883 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria;
Lagos-1040
FCT-298
Anambra-86
Rivers-54
Taraba-45
Ogun-42
Oyo-40
Akwa Ibom-38
Sokoto-30
Ebonyi-30
Imo-28
Kaduna-28
Osun-27
Kano-21
Benue-19
Edo-17
Gombe-15
Ekiti-9
Delta-8
Jigawa-3
Kwara-2
Bayelsa-2
Plateau-1

Highlights
On the 30th of January 2021, 1883 new confirmed cases and 1 death was recorded in Nigeria
Till date, 130557 cases have been confirmed, 103712 cases have been discharged and 1578 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory
The 1883 new cases are reported from 23 states- Lagos (1040), FCT (298), Anambra (86), Rivers (54), Taraba (45), Ogun (42), Oyo (40), Akwa Ibom (38), Sokoto (30), Ebonyi (30), Imo (28), Kaduna (28), Osun (27), Kano (21), Benue (19), Edo (17), Gombe (15), Ekiti (9), Delta (, Jigawa (3), Kwara (2), Bayelsa (2) and Plateau (1)
A multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, continues to coordinate the national response activities

Our discharges today includes 461 community recoveries in Lagos State managed in line with guidelines.

https://www.nairaland.com/6390315/covid-19-update-january-29-2021

Former Nigeria police chief, CP Yomi Onasile (Rtd), has been confirmed dead of Covid-19 complications.

The late retired Commissioners of Police was gathered to have gave up the ghost at the Isolation Center at Olodo area of Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital, around 10am today Saturday, 30th January 2021.

It was gathered that the retired Commissioner of Police had been on admission at the COVID-19 Isolation Centre since January 24, and had died while receiving treatment.

It was further learnt that his corpse was still at the Isolation Centre as at the time of filling this report.

Onashile was said to be a cousin to Chief Mike Adenuga, the Chairman of Globacom telecommunications network.

The late retired CP. Onasile until his departure was a trained Biochemist from the University of Ibadan, before joining the Nigeria Police Force.

Onasile had Masters Degree in Forensic and Food Contaminants Analysis from the same institution, with credit of being an expert in police fingerprinting.

He was a Hubert Humphrey Fellow at the Drug Program of the John Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA, and also a seasoned and highly experienced man, having trained and worked with the New York Police Department and the Israeli Police Crime Laboratory in Jerusalem.

He served as Commissioner of Police in Abia and Oyo, Ekiti and Lagos states, before his retirement, and had a number of books and monographs to his name.

He was the owner of a relaxation center for elderly men and women, called Senior Citizens Club, situated along Secretariat and Total Garden Road in Ibadan.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Olugbenga Fadeyi, confirmed the story of the retired police commissioner’s death.

UPDATE

1400 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria

Lagos-536

There is panic at the WellMed Healthcare Laboratory in the Ajah area of Lagos State, as several workers at the facility have reportedly tested positive for the COVID-19 pandemic.

PUNCH Metro gathered that at least five workers had tested positive for the virus.

The laboratory is one of government-accredited facilities for coronavirus test in Lagos.

Sources who spoke to our correspondent said the management of the lab refused to fumigate the facility, adding that it had continued to expose other staff and the public to the virus.

Our correspondent learnt that there was confusion at the laboratory on Tuesday when the husband of one of the infected workers stormed the lab, accusing the management of non-chalance.

A source said owners of the medical centre on Wednesday asked a worker that tested positive for the virus to come to work.

The source said, “The issue is that most of the staff tested positive and they refused to disinfect the place. I am aware that five people who tested positive this week were asked to stay at home.

“But I discovered that one of those who tested positive was around today (Wednesday). She tested positive yesterday (Tuesday), but was asked to come to work so she could put another nurse through.

“Other workers that want to test, they are telling them it’s not possible, and that if they want to do it, they will pay 50 per cent of the price. The management has not mentioned that they will shut the place even if it is for a week or a few days for fumigation. What they did today (Wednesday) was just to change the working hours.”

Another source told our correspondent that since the outbreak of the infection at the facility, the workers had been suspecting one another.

The source said, “Presently, many have tested positive and we’re still being mandated to come to work every day. In a matter like this, many people would have been in contact with those that tested positive and if we are not careful, we pray it does not go beyond what we don’t expect.

“This is making people to panic and it’s getting out of hand. Many people are sick; if the management can just fumigate this place for two days, we’ll be fine. We can’t just put our lives at risk for nothing. The whole place has not been fumigated since workers tested positive.

“The management knows what to do, they tested these staff. I just feel that maybe because of the money they generate from the COVID-19 test, they don’t want to shut down. Since workers tested positive, everybody is scared. We are suspecting one another because we don’t know who and who are now infected. I’m feeling sick now and I’m very sure that if I take the test, I might test positive and this can’t continue going on; we have families at home.”

The manager of the facility, Dr Belema Uduje, confirmed that some workers tested positive for the virus.

She, however, said the affected staff had been isolated.

She said, “The ones that were positive were told to isolate so they left work that same day when the result came out and the others that were negative are in the centre. The centre is sterilised every day whether or not we have a positive case or a negative case.

“We have done the needful; we have sterilised. It was done yesterday (Wednesday). We have a COVID patient who had to go on an emergency test and we have to close that place. We could not take in any other patient into that particular room.

“There are many people who have come and we don’t even know if it was the member of the public that infected our staff; we have seen a lot of COVID cases, most of them don’t have symptoms and we have mandated everybody coming into the facility to wear face masks.”

The state Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotosho, said the government would investigate to see if the lab management was complicit.

864 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria;
FCT-129
Anambra-87
Rivers-82
Benue-80
Oyo-76
Plateau-61
Kaduna-54
Delta-51
Nasarawa-38
Kwara-36
Edo-32
Katsina-26
Kano-24
Taraba-18
Ogun-14
Sokoto-11
Gombe-10
Jigawa-7
Akwa Ibom-6
Cross River-6
Zamfara-5
Bauchi-5
Osun-4
Ekiti-2

January 27 https://www.nairaland.com/6386839/covid-19-update-january-27-2021

Majority leader of the Delta state house of assembly, Hon. Tim Owhefere is dead.

Owhefere, a fourth time member of the state assembly, passed on Wednesday at the federal medical center, Asaba, where he has been undergoing treatment.

The deceased who represented Isoko North constituency until his death was said to have been hospitalized for about two weeks before his passage at about 11pm Wednesday night.

Several sources in the house who confirmed the passage to ait.live said the late lawmaker has been on oxygen for a week before his death fueling speculations that he died of covid 19.

While a family member has also confirmed the death of the lawmaker, the Delta state house of assembly is yet to issue an official statement.

Recall that the speaker of the Delta state house of assembly, Hon sheriff Oborevwori, had recently recovered from the deadly coronavirus disease.

If speculations are true, Tim Owhefere will become the first major politician in Delta state to have died of the coronavirus.

1,861 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria;
Lagos-773
FCT-285
Oyo-138
Rivers-111
Plateau-92
Nasarawa-83
Kaduna-59
Enugu-57
Imo-57
Edo-43
Kano-27
Kwara-20
Ebonyi-19
Abia-17
Ogun-12
Osun-12
Katsina-8
Bayelsa-6
Bauchi-5
Delta-5
Borno-4
Jigawa-4
Zamfara-1

Highlights
On the 27th of January 2021, 1861 new confirmed cases and 22 deaths were recorded in Nigeria
Till date, 126160 cases have been confirmed, 100365 cases have been discharged and1544 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory
The 1861 new cases are reported from 22 states- Lagos (773), FCT (285), Oyo (138), Rivers (111), Plateau (92), Nasarawa (83), Kaduna (59), Enugu (57), Imo (57), Edo (43), Kano (27), Kwara (20), Ebonyi (19), Abia (17), Ogun (12), Osun (12), Katsina (, Bayelsa (6), Bauchi (5), Delta (5), Borno (4), Jigawa (4), and Zamfara (1)
A multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, continues to coordinate the national response activities

Our discharges today include 697 community recoveries in Lagos State, 128 in Rivers State and 116 in Plateau State managed in line with guidelines.

January 26 https://www.nairaland.com/6384965/covid-19-update-january-26-2021

This is to confirm that the result of my last COVID-19 test returned positive. Though I have not shown any symptoms[b], I have already commenced treatment. Let me advise those who have come in contact with me in the last couple of days to go for test[/b]

It is important that those who came in contact with other persons who have tested positive for the virus should go for test to ascertain their COVID-19 status. I urge Benue people and other Nigerians to continue to observe the protocol for the prevention of the virus.

Bill Gates, the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), says governments around the world, including Nigeria, need to start preparing for the next pandemic.

Responding to a question by TheCable, Gates said a country like Nigeria needs to invest more in primary healthcare to ensure it is well prepared for the next global pandemic.

The American billionaire said more people die in Nigeria from primary healthcare deficit every year than the total number of deaths in Africa from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I mean, the deaths from the deficits and primary health care are dramatically higher every year than the total deaths going on in Africa from this pandemic, and so I hope it causes everyone in society to look at these health issues,” Gates told TheCable.

“There should be close to 100% coverage of all the vaccines and you need to have those very functional primary health care systems because the number of lives you can save is absolutely huge.”

On Wednesday, Bill and Melinda Gates released their customary annual letter to talk about successes, challenges, and the state of the world in the new year.

For 2021, Gates said the COVID-19 pandemic might not be the world’s last pandemic, emphasizing that governments around the world need to start investing tens of billions of dollars in healthcare to stop the next pandemic.

“The unfortunate reality is that COVID‐19 might not be the last pandemic. We don’t know when the next one will strike, or whether it will be a flu, a coronavirus, or some new disease we’ve never seen before,” Gates said.

“But what we do know is that we can’t afford to be caught flat‐footed again. The threat of the next pandemic will always be hanging over our heads—unless the world takes steps to prevent it”.

Gates: Nigeria can build a vaccine factory for the next pandemic

Speaking on Nigeria’s plan for local vaccine production, Gates said making a new vaccine factory can take more than five years. He advised that Nigeria or any country in Africa could plan ahead for the next pandemic.

“There are a very high-volume of factories in the developing world, primarily in Indonesia and India. Making a new vaccine factory is a more than five-year effort.

“Definitely, to be ready for the next pandemic, I think that there will be factories using this mRNA approach, that are put in multiple places in Africa so you’ll have guaranteed quick supply.

He said there are vaccine factories that can help with the COVID-19 vaccines and the world “can’t get new ones overnight”.

“The plan for the next round is to globally have lots of mRNA capacity, and to advance that technology so that it’s more scalable, more thermal-stable and cheaper, over the next five years, that should be possible if we get the rich countries to make large investments. I’ll certainly be a huge advocate for that”.

Gates said the world now knows “the cost of a pandemic,” and in this case, that “has been tens of trillions of dollars, and a negative impact in terms of education and mental health that we have a hard time measuring”.

He said it will be better to invest billions of dollars in preparing for the pandemic than to lose lives and trillions of dollars.

GATES TOOK MODERNA VACCINE

The 65-year-old who said he took the COVID-19 jab some days ago also told journalists that he ended up getting the Moderna vaccine.

“I had no choice, they don’t ask what your preference is. There are only two vaccines approved in the United States right now, Pfizer and Moderna. They’re both very good vaccines and very safe,” he added.

Gates said the more people learn about vaccines, the more amazed they should be about how fantastic they are.

“I hope people will read the facts about vaccines, and how they’ve worked against other diseases, and see that now we have millions and millions of people who’ve taken this vaccine and we’re tracking that experience to make sure we were right about the overall safety.

The public health advocate said it is going to be a tragedy if a country continues to have an epidemic because of these false vaccine rumours.

1,303 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria;
Lagos-478
FCT-211
Nasarawa-83
Rivers-72
Kwara-42
Edo-36
Ondo-34
Benue-32
Kaduna-32
Katsina-26
Plateau-26
Kano-25
Taraba-25
Osun-22
Delta-21
Oyo-21
Niger-19
Sokoto-18
Ebonyi-17
Ekiti-14
Gombe-13
Ogun-12
Bauchi-11
Zamfara-8
Borno-4
Jigawa-1

Highlights
On the 26th of January 2021, 1303 new confirmed cases and 15 deaths were recorded in Nigeria
Till date, 124299 cases have been confirmed, 99276 cases have been discharged and 1522 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory
The 1303 new cases are reported from 26 states- Lagos (478), FCT (211), Nasarawa (83), Rivers (72), Kwara (42), Edo 36), Ondo (34), Benue (32), Kaduna (32), Katsina (26), Plateau (26), Kano (25), Taraba (25), Osun (22), Delta (21), Oyo (21), Niger (19), Sokoto (18), Ebonyi (17), Ekiti (14), Gombe (13), Ogun (12), Bauchi (11), Zamfara ( 8 ), Borno (4) and Jigawa (1)
A multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, continues to coordinate the national response activities

Our discharges today include 542 community recoveries in Lagos State, 103 in Plateau State and 22 in Kwara State managed in line with guidelines.

January 25 https://www.nairaland.com/6383175/covid-19-update-january-25-2021

1,430 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria;
Lagos-744
Plateau-100
Oyo-77
FCT-75
Nasarawa-74
Katsina-48
Edo-42
Kano-41
Enugu-37
Rivers-34
Ogun-33
Kwara-32
Niger-28
Ebonyi-27
Kaduna-26
Borno-12
Yobe-10
Ekiti-5
Gombe-1

The Federal Government has extended phase three of eased COVID-19 lockdown by one month.

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 announced this on Monday.

Its chairman, Boss Mustapha, at the weekly briefing of the task force in Abuja said: “The PTF is improving on the International Travel Portal to minimise the challenges passengers keep encountering.

“Similarly, it is reviewing the guidelines on the implementation of phase three of the eased lockdown which is due to expire today.

“In view of the fact that our numbers are not abating, all extant measures prescribed in these guidelines are (subject to some modifications) extended by a period of one month with effect from Tuesday, January 26, 2020.”

#NewsFlash: Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom's personal Physician, Aide De Camp test positive for COVID-19.

Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Terver Akase, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

964 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria;
Lagos-360
FCT-88
Ogun-73
Imo-72
Kaduna-67
Plateau-57
Abia-41
Osun-41
Rivers-32
Kano-26
Niger-24
Benue-23
Edo-20
Cross River-20
Akwa Ibom-8
Nasarawa-6
Zamfara-6
Ekiti-6
Jigawa-4

Highlights
On the 24th of January 2021, 964 new confirmed cases and 2 deaths were recorded in Nigeria
Till date, 121566 cases have been confirmed, 97228 cases have been discharged and 1504 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory
The 964 new cases are reported from 19 states- Lagos (360), FCT (88) Ogun (73), Imo (72), Kaduna (67), Plateau (57), Abia (41), Osun (41), Rivers (32), Kano (26), Niger (24), Benue (23), Edo (20), Cross River (20), Akwa Ibom ( 8 ), Nasarawa (6), Zamfara (6), Ekiti (6) and Jigawa (4)
A multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, continues to coordinate the national response activities

Our discharges today includes 774 community recoveries in Lagos State managed in line with guidelines.

January 23 https://www.nairaland.com/6379658/covid-19-update-january-23-2021

A former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abdullahi Ibrahim, died of COVID-19, on Sunday.

Mr Ibrahim, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who served as Minister of Transport and Aviation in the military regime of Muhammadu Buhari, was said to have died in an isolation centre in Abuja on Sunday.

A former top government official, who asked not to be named because he was not authorised to speak publicly on the matter ahead of the family, broke the news to PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday.

Mr Ibrahim’s Wikipedia page was also updated on Sunday to reflect his demise.

Mr Ibrahim, from Kogi State, served as the AGF of the military regime of Abdusalami Abubakar, an army general, that handed over to the civilian administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999.

Prior to his appointment as the AGF, Mr Ibrahim served as the Minister of Education, Science and Technology.

Mr Ibrahim is the latest among former and serving top government personalities who lost their lives to COVID-19.

1,633 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria;
Lagos-498
Plateau-214
FCT-176
Rivers-99
Kaduna-98
Edo-87
Anambra-86
Akwa Ibom-50
Osun-47
Kano-40
Oyo-40
Kwara-39
Ebonyi-28
Niger-28
Taraba-28
Ogun-27
Ondo-21
Ekiti-12
Katsina-7
Borno-6
Delta-2

Highlights
On the 23rd of January 2021, 1633 new confirmed cases and 5 deaths were recorded in Nigeria
Till date, 120602 cases have been confirmed, 95901 cases have been discharged and 1502 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory
The 1633 new cases are reported from 21 states- Lagos (498), Plateau (214), FCT (176), Rivers (99), Kaduna (98), Edo (87), Anambra (86), Akwa Ibom (50), Osun (47), Kano (40), Oyo (40), Kwara (39), Ebonyi (28), Niger (28), Taraba (28), Ogun (27), Ondo (21), Ekiti (12), Katsina (7), Borno (6) and Delta (2)
A multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, continues to coordinate the national response activities

Our discharges today includes 573 community recoveries in Lagos State managed in line with guidelines.

January 22 https://www.nairaland.com/6378145/covid-19-update-january-22-2021

1483 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria;
Kaduna-545
FCT-235
Plateau-127
Nasarawa-80
Oyo-72
Delta-65
Rivers-64
Kano-46
Ogun-46
Bayelsa-30
Gombe-30
Abia-28
Osun-27
Edo-25
Ondo-14
Sokoto-12
Zamfara-10
Bauchi-8
Imo-5
Jigawa-4
Ekiti-4
Borno-4
Niger-2

Highlights

On the 22nd of January 2021, 1483 new confirmed cases and 5 deaths were recorded in Nigeria
Till date, 118138 cases have been confirmed, 94150 cases have been discharged and 1490 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory
The 1483 new cases are reported from 23 states- Kaduna (545), FCT (235), Plateau (127), Nasarawa (80), Oyo (72), Delta (65), Rivers (64), Kano (46), Ogun (46), Bayelsa (30), Gombe (30), Abia (28), Osun (27), Edo (25), Ondo (14), Sokoto (12), Zamfara (10), Bauchi (, Imo (5), Jigawa (4), Ekiti (4), Borno (4) and Niger (2)
A multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, continues to coordinate the national response activities

January 21 https://www.nairaland.com/6376404/covid-19-update-january-21-2021

1964 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria;
Lagos-824
FCT-246
Plateau-166
Kaduna-128
Ogun-76
Nasarawa-74
Anambra-69
Edo-50
Rivers-45
Ondo-44
Niger-40
Oyo-38
Adamawa-35
Kano-31
Akwa Ibom-27
Gombe-19
Kwara-13
Ekiti-12
Delta-6
Kebbi-6
Bauchi-5
Ebonyi-4
Osun-3
Zamfara-1

Highlights
On the 21st of January 2021, 1964 new confirmed cases and 7 deaths were recorded in Nigeria
Till date, 116655 cases have been confirmed, 93646 cases have been discharged and 1485 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory
The 1964 new cases are reported from 24 states- Lagos (824), FCT (246), Plateau (166), Kaduna (128), Ogun (76), Nasarawa (74), Anambra (69), Edo (50), Rivers (45), Ondo (44), Niger (40), Oyo (38), Adamawa (35), Kano (31), Akwa Ibom (27), Gombe (19), Kwara (13), Ekiti (12), Delta (6), Kebbi (6), Bauchi (5), Ebonyi (4), Osun (3), and Zamfara (1)
A multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, continues to coordinate the national response activities

Our discharges today include 798 community recoveries in Lagos State and 191 community recoveries in Ondo State managed in line with guidelines.

January 20 https://www.nairaland.com/6374485/covid-19-update-january-20-2021

Governor of Kano, Abdullahi Ganduje, has warned residents of the state, especially market community to strictly obey the COVID 19 protocols.

The Governor said this on Thursday at a COVID 19 stakeholders’ meeting with market community leaders in the state at the Government House.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Nasiru Gawuna, said 19 family members tested positive to COVID-19 after its breadwinner recently died of the virus.

“This COVID-19 pandemic is real and we have to seriously fight it.

“There was a house where the breadwinner died of COVID-19 recently and when the family members were tested, 19 of them were found to be positive,” Ganduje said.

He warned that the second wave is worse than the first and advised residents to adhere to protocols in order to prevent another lockdown as well as closure of markets in the state.

“We all know that it is the marketers that suffer most whenever there is a lockdown especially those who have to work to feed on a daily basis.

“Adhere to the necessary COVID-19 protocols to avoid the spread of the pandemic in the state and to avoid a situation that will necessitate the lockdown again,” the governor added.

Ganduje also promised to distribute 100,000 facemasks to the market community.

After a close contact, I've been self-isolating and the latest test I took was positive for COVID 19. I had some symptoms and I'm following doctor's orders for recovery. Take care, everyone!

1386 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria;
Lagos-476
Rivers-163
FCT-116
Kaduna-114
Oyo-68
Plateau-62
Ogun-56
Imo-55
Osun-55
Edo-51
Anambra-50
Kwara-44
Kano-17
Ebonyi-14
Cross River-10
Delta-10
Jigawa-8
Bayelsa-6
Ekiti-6
Borno-2
Taraba-2
Zamfara-1

January 19 https://www.nairaland.com/6372633/covid-19-update-january-19-2021

1,301 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria;
Lagos-551
FCT-209
Oyo-83
Plateau-65
Kaduna-64
Enugu-61
Rivers-44
Ondo-39
Benue-37
Akwa Ibom-31
Kano-19
Delta-18
Gombe-18
Ogun-16
Edo-15
Kebbi-10
Ebonyi-9
Jigawa-4
Osun-3
Zamfara-3
Borno-1
Nasarawa-1

Highlights
On the 19th of January 2021, 1301 new confirmed cases and 15 deaths were recorded in Nigeria
Till date, 113305 cases have been confirmed, 91200 cases have been discharged and 1464 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory
The 1301 new cases are reported from 22 states- Lagos (551), FCT (209), Oyo (83), Plateau (65), Kaduna (64), Enugu (61), Rivers (44), Ondo (39), Benue (37), Akwa Ibom (31), Kano (19), Delta (18), Gombe (18), Ogun (16), Edo (15), Kebbi (10), Ebonyi (9), Jigawa (4), Osun (3), Zamfara (3), Borno (1) and Nasarawa (1)
A multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, continues to coordinate the national response activities

Our discharges today include 702 community recoveries in Lagos State, 157 in FCT and 143 in Plateau State managed in line with guidelines.

January 18 https://www.nairaland.com/6370720/covid-19-update-january-18-2021

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday said any malaria-like symptom should now be considered and treated as COVID-19 until proven otherwise.

The governor, who briefed newsmen at the State House, Ikeja on COVID-19 update in the state said such symptoms should be considered COVID-19 virus infections unless proven otherwise.

“In this second wave of the current pandemic, any malaria-like symptoms should be considered as COVID-19 virus infection unless and until otherwise proven. Any affected individual with COVID-like symptoms should proceed to any of our public health facilities and/or laboratories to get tested for free,” he said.

The governor also said it was important that people did not stigmatise or discriminate against anyone affected by the virus, as it is not a death sentence.

"Oxygen therapy and other related services will be provided to patients that required them. Five of these 10 centres have been commissioned while the remaining five will be ready for use within the next four weeks,” he said.