TheCable

Nigeria on Sunday recorded seven COVID infections — the lowest single-day count so far in 2021. Here are five updates about the pandemic this Monday. 

UNICEF asks G7 to donate COVID vaccines to COVAX

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Monday asked G7 countries to donate COVID vaccines to COVAX, the global alliance against COVID-19, to address the shortfall in the supply of the vaccine.

G7 is an intergovernmental organisation made up of leaders from leading industrial nations.

India had pledged to supply the AstraZeneca vaccine produced by its Serum Institute to COVAX but restricted exports following a second wave of infections.

Henrietta Fore, UNICEF executive director, said the donations will help prevent vulnerable countries from becoming the next global hotspot.

“Sharing immediately available excess doses is a minimum, essential and emergency stop-gap measure, and it is needed right now,” Fore said.

About 1.7 million people vaccinated against COVID-19 in Nigeria

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) says 1,794,552 persons across the country have received the COVID-19 vaccine since the nationwide rollout on March 5.

According to an update published by NPHCDA, Saturday evening, Lagos, the epicentre of the pandemic in the country, tops the list with 279,372 persons vaccinated, followed by the federal capital territory (FCT) with 118,895 and Kano with 92,583.

COVID-19 Vaccination Update for May 16th, 2021, in 36 States + the FCT.

Advertisement

How’s your State performing?#YesToCOVID19Vaccine pic.twitter.com/COO5W10njg

— NPHCDA (@NphcdaNG) May 16, 2021

Nigeria had received about 4.5 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine — 3.94 million delivered via the United Nations-led COVAX facility, while others are donations from India and private organisations.

Nigeria records seven COVID infections — lowest single-day count in 2021

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says the country recorded seven fresh coronavirus infections on Sunday — representing the lowest single-day count so far in 2021.

The latest cases of COVID-19 were recorded in two states, according to the agency’s update for May 16, 2021.

States that recorded new positive samples are Niger (5) and Rivers (2).

The NCDC reported zero death from COVID-19 complications on Sunday, leaving the death toll at 2,066.

Also, one person was discharged on Sunday after recovering from the infection.

Out of a total of 165,709 COVID-19 cases now confirmed across 36 states and the FCT, 156,413 patients have recovered.

Japan begins online bookings for the elderly

Japan on Monday started an online booking platform to enable elderly people to receive vaccinations.

According to Kyodo news agency, the state-run vaccination centre in Tokyo tries to accelerate vaccine rollout amid the country’s fourth wave of coronavirus infections.

Residents of the capital city aged 65 would be able to book appointments through the defence ministry’s website and the Line messaging app service before the launch of the vaccination centre in central Tokyo on May 24.

Saudi Arabia lifts quarantine requirement for vaccinated visitors

Saudi Arabia says travellers who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 will no longer be quarantined for a seven-day period mandatory.

The civil aviation authority (GACA) said beginning from May 20, non-Saudi visitors arriving in the country from eligible countries by air who are fully vaccinated or have recovered from the virus, will no longer have to spend seven days in government-approved hotels — only if they provide an official vaccination certificate upon arrival.

However, visitors from 20 other countries — including the US, India, Britain, Germany, France and the United Arab Emirates are exempted owing to the spike in infections in these countries.

COVID-19 IN NIGERIA