TheCable

Nigeria on Sunday recorded 216 cases of COVID-19. Here are five updates about the pandemic this Monday. 

NAEE: Poor people most affected by COVID-19

The Nigerian Association of Energy Economics (NAEE) says poor people are the most devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in Africa.

Yinka Omoregbe, president of NAEE, said this at a news conference in Abuja on Saturday.

“The people most devastated by the Pandemic are the poor,” she said.

“If you look around the world, in America, the communities most impacted were the poor communities and those who are already suffering from inequality such as African and Hispanic populations.

“Similarly, even in countries that are homogenous such as Nigeria, the people most impacted by this were the people that were already poor or dependant on daily money to survive.

“There are so many impacts particularly on the global poor as a result of the pandemic. Life expectancy has shortened.”

Omoregbe said informed strategic responses should be made to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on Africa.

French lawmakers approve bill to tackle fourth wave of COVID-19

The French parliament has voted in favour of a bill to make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for health workers.

The legislation which was approved on Monday will also make health pass mandatory to access some social venues.

Visitors to museums, cinemas or swimming pools in France are already required to present a pass showing that they have been vaccinated against COVID-19 or have had a recent negative test.

The measure is expected to tackle the fourth wave of infection in the country.

The law is expected to come into effect when it is given a green light by the country’s top court.

Okonjo-Iweala tasks Africa on producing COVID-19 vaccine

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), has expressed concern over the reliance of Africa countries on developed countries for COVID vaccines.

Okonjo-Iweala said the continent imports 90 percent of its vaccines and pharmaceuticals.

Speaking at a virtual event on Sunday, Okonjo-Iweala said it is necessary for the continent to create a roadmap to boost its capacity to produce COVID-19 vaccines, adding that Nigeria can produce its own vaccines.

Japan starts accepting applications for COVID vaccine passports

Japan has commenced accepting applications for COVID-19 vaccine passport for people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The certificates will be official records issued free by local municipalities showing details that a person has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Nigeria records 216 new cases 

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says 216 people tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday.

The latest positive samples of COVID-19 were recorded in eight states, according to the agency’s update for July 25.

The NCDC said Sunday’s update includes data from Akwa Ibom state for July 24 and July 25.

States that recorded new infections are Lagos (108), Akwa Ibom (96), Oyo (4), Rivers (3), Edo (2), Ekiti (1), Kano (1) and Osun (1).

One patient was discharged on Sunday after recovering from the infection, raising the recovery count to 164,789.

The agency reported zero coronavirus-related deaths on Sunday.

This keeps the COVID-19 fatality toll in the country at 2,132.

A total of 171,111 coronavirus cases have now been confirmed across the country.

COVID-19 IN NIGERIA