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Nigeria on Wednesday recorded 81 cases of COVID-19. Here are five updates about the pandemic this Thursday. 

NLC demands compensation for COVID-19 victims

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has asked the federal government to recognise COVID-19 as a workplace disease, “notifiable and compensable occupational hazard”.

In a statement issued on Wednesday to mark the 2021 International Workers’ Day, Ayuba Wabba, NLC President, said frontline workers need adequate protection owing to the perils of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Every day, our healthcare workers courageously dare the stare of death in selfless service to rescue the lives of others,” he said.

“The listing of occupational health and safety as a fundamental right at work and the recognition of COVID-19 as a workplace disease and as a notifiable and compensable occupational hazard.

Wabba also demanded for the “compensation of COVID-19 victims in the workplace”.

Athletes to be tested daily for COVID during Tokyo Olympic games

Athletes and all those who come in close contact during the Tokyo Olympic games will be tested for COVID-19 daily, according to the organisers.

“In principle, athletes and all those in close proximity with athletes will be tested daily to minimize the risk of undetected positive cases that could transmit the virus,” the statement issued on Wednesday said.

“All other games participants will be tested daily for three days after their arrival. After the first three days and throughout their stay, they will be tested regularly, based on the operational nature of their role and level of contact with athletes.”

The statement added that all participants should adhere to the activities outlined in their activity plan.

Nigeria records 81 cases of COVID-19

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Wednesday reported 81 fresh infections of COVID-19 across 10 states and the federal capital territory (FCT).

Lagos, the worst-hit state, recorded 26 infections, followed by Enugu and Ogun with 13 and eight cases respectively.

Other states that reported new cases are Rivers (6), Kano (6), Kaduna (5), Plateau (5) Akwa Ibom (4), Delta (3), FCT (3), and Edo (2).

No death was recorded on Wednesday and the fatality toll stands at 2,063.

Nine persons were discharged, bringing the total number of recoveries to 155,021.

Taiwan to send COVID aid to India 

Taiwan says it will donate oxygen concentrators to India to help it fight the rising cases of COVID-19.

Over the past weeks, the South Asian country has seen a major spike in its infection rate as COVID-19 cases and death figures keep breaking previous records.

On Wednesday, India death toll surpassed 200,000 becoming the fourth country to surpass the mark — after the US, Brazil and Mexico.

Several countries have also pledged to help India alleviate the crisis.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Joseph Wu, foreign minister, said Taiwan had been working on an aid package for India and has already purchased 150 oxygen concentrators which will be shipped this weekend.

One dose of COVID vaccine cut household COVID transmission by half

COVID-19 vaccines deployed in England can reduce transmission of COVID-19 within households by up to 50 percent, according to data from a new study.

According to the research conducted by Public Health England (PHE), those who became infected three weeks after being vaccinated with the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or AstraZeneca vaccines are between 38 and 49 percent less likely to pass the virus on to their household contacts compared to others who have not been vaccinated.

The researchers said the jab also stops a vaccinated person from developing symptomatic infection, reducing the risk by about 60-65 percent from four weeks after one dose of the vaccine.

COVID-19 IN NIGERIA