Daily COVID Tracker: Nigeria records 65 infections, and UNFPA donates PPE to Gombe

Nigeria on Wednesday recorded 65 cases of COVID-19. Here are five updates about the pandemic this Thursday.

DPR recommends antigen rapid diagnostic tests for offshore workers

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has recommended the use of antigen-based rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) for offshore workers and operators in the oil and gas sector.

According to a circular issued on Wednesday, DPR said the World Health Organisation (WHO) granted emergency use authorisation for two Ag-RDTs — SD Biosensor and Abbott — with over 80 percent sensitivity and above 97 percent specificity.

It added that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has subsequently approved their use in Nigeria.

“Consequently, the DPR is by this circular, advising operators and service providers to commence the use of these approved Ag-RDTs,” the agency said.

“This is with the aim of addressing the cost implications and psychological impacts on staff due to the current practice of mandatory 710 days isolation to and from offshore/remote locations.”

Disruption in oxygen supply kills 22 COVID patients in India

At least 22 patients were said to have died on Wednesday in a hospital in western India when an oxygen supply to ventilators was disrupted by a leak.

The leak was said to have occurred for about 30 minutes from an oxygen tanker in Zakir Hussain Hospital in Nashik district of Maharashtra.

Narendra Modi, Indian prime minister, described the incident as “heart-wrenching”.

The tragedy at a hospital in Nashik because of oxygen tank leakage is heart-wrenching. Anguished by the loss of lives due to it. Condolences to the bereaved families in this sad hour.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 21, 2021

Maharashtra is said to be India’s worst-hit state by the latest spike in COVID-19 cases and accounts for more than a quarter of daily infections.

UNFPA supports Gombe with PPE

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on Wednesday donated personal protective equipment (PPE) to Gombe to help boost the fight against COVID-19.

Speaking while delivering the items to the state, Bajowa Lanre, Gombe UNDP programme officer, said the pandemic has affected sexual reproductive health and family planning reduction.

“The pandemic has reduced access to essential services which are particularly life-saving, in line with this, the provision of these items will improve access to essential services to reduce maternal mortality in the state,’’ he said.

According to NAN, the items include 1,000 pieces of Hypo cleaner, 1,000 pieces of liquid hand wash and 1,000 pieces of hand sanitisers.

Others are cartons of surgical gloves, cartons of examination gloves and safety goggles.

The items will be distributed to 16 primary healthcare centres In Akko and Gombe LGAs in the state.

Nigeria records 65 COVID-19 infections

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Wednesday reported 65 new cases of COVID-19 across 11 states.

This single-day count recorded on Wednesday represents a 45.83 percent decline compared to Tuesday’s figure of 120 infections.

With this new figure, Nigeria’s total confirmed cases now stands at 164,488 cases.

Lagos, the epicentre of infection, recorded 41 cases — representing 63.08 percent of the total infections reported by the NCDC.

No data was recorded on Wednesday for the federal capital territory (FCT) — second worst-hit state in the country.

Other states that recorded new cases are Kaduna (6), Kano (3), Rivers (3), Plateau (3), Akwa Ibom (2), Imo (2), Oyo (2), Edo (1), Bauchi (1), and Osun (1).

The NCDC said 35 people recovered from the infection on Wednesday.

This brings the total number of discharged persons to 154,441, while no death was recorded for the ninth consecutive day.

MSF asks rich countries to back COVID vaccine patent waiver

Doctors Without Borders (MSF), international medical charity, has asked rich countries to back patent waiver plan that could boost the global production of COVID-19 vaccines.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Maria Guevara, MSF international medical secretary, said the patent waiver will address the issue of COVID-19 vaccine scarcity.

“In this COVID-19 pandemic, we are once again faced with issues of scarcity, which can be addressed through diversification of manufacturing and supply capacity and ensuring the temporary waiver of relevant intellectual property,” she said.

“We urge all countries in opposition to this, including the US and the EU, to stand on the right side of history and join hands with those in support. It is about saving lives at the end, not protecting systems.”

COVID-19 IN NIGERIA