Corona virus news update

Coronavirus: Latest Update in Nigeria For Today, Tuesday April 28, 2020
- UPDATED: Nigeria Records 64 new COVID-19 Cases, total now 1,337Confirmed cases of coronavirus have increased to 1337 in Nigeria.
This is after 64 new cases were recorded in four states on Monday.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control made this known via its Twitter handle.NCDC said, “On the 27th of April 2020, 64 new confirmed cases and no deaths were recorded in Nigeria.
“No new state has reported a case in the last 24 hours.
“Till date, 1337 cases have been confirmed, 255 cases have been discharged and 40 deaths have been recorded in 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“The 64 new cases are reported from five states- Lagos (34), FCT (15), Borno (11), Taraba (two), Gombe (two).”
According to data from the NCDC, no fewer than 225 patients have recovered and discharged across the country.
The PUNCH reports that Nigeria currently has 1042 active cases.
Data obtained from the centre also shows that Lagos currently has a total confirmed cases of 764; Abuja/FCT, 157; Kano, 77; Borno, 41; Gombe, 37; Ogun, 35; Osun, 34; Katsina, 30; Edo, 25; Oyo, 21; Kaduna, 15; Bauchi, 14; Akwa Ibom, 12; and Sokoto, 10.
It also shos that Kwara has recorded 11 confirmed cases while Ekiti has eight; Ondo, eight; Delta, six; Rivers, six; Taraba, eight; Abia, two; Enugu, two; Niger, two; Jigawa, two; Zamfara, two; Benue, one; Anambra, one; Adamawa, one; Plateau, one; Imo, one; Bayelsa, one; Ebonyi, one; and Kebbi, one.
“One case previously reported as a Lagos State’s case is now reported as an FCT’s case. The total number of confirmed cases in Lagos is now at 764 and 157 in FCT,” the NCDC added.
Of the 40 deaths recorded in the country, 19 were reported in Lagos, three each in Abuja and Edo, one each in Kano, Ogun, Akwa Ibom, Ekiti, and Delta, two in Rivers, Osun, Borno, Katsina and Oyo.

- Atiku’s son Narrates 40-day Experience with COVID-19Mohammed, son to former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has thanked Nigerians for their prayers and support during his battle with the deadly coronavirus.Mohammed in a statement on his Twitter handle, narrated his experience after 40 days of battle with the disease.
While calling on Nigerians not to lose hope in the country, he commended the country’s health system.
According to him, despite the limitations and daunting challenges, the Federal Ministry of Health and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control have done tremendously well.
“I, Mohammed Atiku Abubakar, wish to inform Nigerians that I have finally been cleared and discharged after 40 days of coronavirus (COVID-19) treatment.
“My discharge could not have come at a better time than in the Ramadan, a season marked by sacrifice and supplication to the Almighty Allah.
“ I thank the Almighty Allah for my recovery from the dreaded infection and also wish to express my sincerest and deepest appreciation to Nigerians for their prayers and goodwill while I was being treated.
“In the course of life, we have no idea of what will happen to us because only the Almighty God knows our future. When the coronavirus first broke out in faraway China, I had no idea that I might be one of those to be infected.
“This is one of the everlasting lessons I can’t forget for the rest of my life. Indeed, I have been humbled by this experience. Words cannot sufficiently convey the depth of my joy over my recovery and discharge.
“Since I tested positive after my return from abroad and my isolation for treatment, I was inundated with incredible expressions of goodwill by Nigerians. This pandemic has united the rich and the poor and, indeed, the rest of the world against this novel lethal virus that has caused economic and social disruptions globally.
“ Our doctors, nurses and other front line health workers also deserve accolades for their sacrifices and professionalism during this challenging period of our country.
“Every epidemic or pandemic comes with its lessons. The coronavirus has caught the world off guard and sent us reeling for solutions. It also reveals the weaknesses of our health system in the developing world. It’s an eye-opening experience for Nigeria and other developing nations.
“It’s time to restore confidence in our own health system and that can only be achieved by adequate investment & funding. No less important, our policy makers should also adequately fund research in vaccines & other drugs because of the uncertainties & challenges like Covid19.
“Once again, thank you for your support and prayer. May Allah show up for you at your appointed time of need. May the Almighty Allah be with all those still in the Isolation Centre and grant them healing.”


- COVID-19: Buhari Bans inter-state TravelsThe President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has declared an overnight curfew from 8pm to 6am nationwide as part of efforts to curtail the spread of COVID-19.
He has also ordered what he called “phased and gradual easing” of lockdown measures in the FCT, Lagos and Ogun States effective from Monday.
Buhari disclosed this in a nationwide broadcast on Monday.
He said, “In line with the recommendations of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, the various Federal Government committees that have reviewed socio-economic matters and the Nigeria Governors Forum, I have approved a phased and gradual easing of lockdown measures in FCT, Lagos and Ogun States effective from Monday, 4th May, 2020.
“However, this will be followed strictly with aggressive reinforcement of testing and contact tracing measures while allowing the restoration of some economic and business activities in certain sectors.
“Furthermore, new nationwide measures are to be introduced as follows;
“There will be an overnight curfew from 8pm to 6am. This means all movements will be prohibited during this period except for essential services;
“There will be a ban on non-essential inter-state passenger travel until further notice;
“Partial and controlled interstate movement of goods and services will be allowed for the movement of goods and services from producers to consumers; and
“We will strictly ensure the mandatory use of face masks or coverings in public in addition to maintaining physical distancing and personal hygiene.
“Furthermore, the restrictions on social and religious gatherings shall remain in place. State Governments, corporate organisations and philanthropists are encouraged to support the production of cloth masks for citizens.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the lockdown in the FCT, Lagos and Ogun States shall remain in place until these new ones come into effect on Monday, 4th May 2020.”

- COVID-19 lockdown: ‘I’ll not tolerate human rights abuse’ – Buhari warns security agenciesPresident Muhammadu Buhari has warned security agencies against human rights abuse in the country.
Buhari, who gave the warning during a live broadcast on Monday, assured Nigerians of protecting lives and property.
He expressed regrets over the few reported incidents and vowed that the culprits would be brought to book.
He said, “Our Security Agencies continue to rise to the challenge posed by this unusual situation. While we feel deeply concerned about isolated security incidents involving hoodlums and miscreants, I want to assure all Nigerians that your safety and security remains our primary concern especially in these exceedingly difficult and uncertain times.
“As we focus on protecting lives and properties, we will not tolerate any human rights abuses by our security agencies. The few reported incidences are regrettable, and I want to assure you that the culprits will be brought to justice.”
He also urged Nigerians to continue to cooperate and show understanding whenever they encounter security agents.
“For their protection, I have instructed that the personnel of all the security agencies be provided with the necessary personal protective equipment against infection.”
Meanwhile, Buhari earlier eased the lockdown in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun States, with effect from May 4.

- Dokpesi tests positive for COVID-19The Chairman of DAAR Communications Plc, Mr Raymond Dokpesi Jnr, has tested positive for coronavirus.
The African Independent Television, a subsidiary of DAAR Communications Plc, reported on Monday that he made his status known in a short message to members of the AIT staff in Abuja.
His message read, “I got a call this morning confirming the result is COVID-19 positive. I am leaving now to the Gwagwalada Isolation Centre for treatment and hope to be back in two weeks. Many of you may have interacted with me during our various meetings and I would advise you to get tested as soon as possible.”

- El-Rufai to relax RestrictionsThe Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, said on Monday that residents would now be allowed to restock food and essentials on Wednesdays and Saturdays during the lockdown period in the state.
El-Rufai, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Muyiwa Adekeye, announced that residents would restock food and essentials on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
He said the review was based on the decision reached by the State Standing Committee on Covid-19 headed by the Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, on Monday
The statement added that on Wednesday, residents wearing face masks could go to shops and markets selling foods and medicines to restock.
“The traders, who must also wear face masks, and their customers are expected to observe social distancing,” it said.

- A’Ibom debunks reported infection of nine commissionersEphraim Inyang, on Monday described the persons behind the information as “insane blackmailers” sponsored to discredit government’s efforts at containing the spread of the pandemic.
 In the statement made available to newsmen in Uyo, the commissioner stated that all the commissioners healthy and helping in the first against the dreaded disease.
 He challenged the carriers of the news to publish the names of the affected commissioners and indicate where they are being treated.
 “The news going around that nine commissioners in Akwa Ibom are sick of COVID-19 is a blatant lie from an insane blackmailer, who is sponsored.
“I want to state here categorically that all the commissioners in Akwa Ibom State Executive Council are in good and sound health conditions and helping the state COVID-19 committee to fight to prevent the spread of the pandemic in the state”
“On Friday, 17th of April, 2020, the commissioners gathered at the Exco chamber for the usual state executive meeting with the Governor, Udom Emmanuel. And on the 24th of April, all members of the exco attended the Finance and General Purpose Committee meeting and observed social distancing ordered by the Federal Ministry of Health without an exemption.”
 He added, “Why would someone cook up lies at this particular time where we all need encouragement, support, and positivity to keep us going day by day?”
“As the commissioner in charge of the ministry of works handling the ongoing construction of the isolation centre at Ituk Mbang, I’ve had my colleagues stop by every day to see the progress of the work done.
 “I challenge the writer to name the nine commissioners and the location where they are taking treatment.”

- FG not supporting us on COVID-19 battle, Ganjude allegesKano has accused the Federal Government of abandoning the state in the fight against COVID-19.
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje made the allegation in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service on Monday monitored in Kano.
Ganduje said the Presidential Taskforce under the leadership of Mr Boss Mustapha has not been supporting and collaborating with the state Task Force in terms of checking the spread of the disease.
‘’The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control COVID -19 testing laboratory at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital has been shut for almost a week and we are not able to conduct the test and send to Abuja for analysis.
The Presidential Taskforce is yet to do anything about this despite my complaints, ‘’ Ganduje stated.
Ganduje announced the state has applied to the Federal Government for N15bn to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said the NCDC Director General Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu was in Kano last week and saw the situation but the state was yet to hear any response in terms of the centre and any support.
When asked if he has got in touch with the President on the issue, Ganduje said Mustapha, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Health Minister, Dr Osagie Ehanire, have been informed.
He said although they promised to address the challenges of Kano on the COVID-19 pandemic, nothing has been done.

- COVID-19: FG breaks silence on ‘expired rice’ sent to statesThe Federal Government on Monday assured that all the rice distributed to states, were certified fit for human consumption.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Social Development and Disaster Management, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, stated this while addressing newsmen in Abuja today.
Farouq claimed that the rice was accessed by the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), before they went sent out.
According to her, “we all know if we keep rice or grain it is bound to change colour but that does not mean it is unfit for human consumption”.
The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, had accused the federal government of sending contaminated rice to the state.
Makinde had however sent back the three trailer loads of rice containing about 1,800 bags.