TheCable

Nigeria on Monday reported 460 coronavirus infections. Here are five updates about the pandemic this Tuesday. 

Health foundation tasks world leaders on equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), a nonprofit organisation providing medical advocacy, has called on world leaders to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines in all countries.

Maryam Wakari, a member of AHF, made the call during a media campaign tagged ‘Vaccinate Our World’ in Abuja.

“Let’s not forget that vaccination rates that currently exist are disproportionately unfair to poorer countries,” she said.

“The pandemic has become one of the most serious global public health emergencies globally.

“However, the sudden emergence and rapid spread of the virus has underlined the importance of international cooperation and global governance in proffering a solution.

“Every world citizen deserves to live irrespective of race, colour and social-economic status.”

Civil servants in Edo health ministry get seven-day ultimatum to receive COVID vaccine

The Edo government has given civil servants in the state’s ministry of health a seven-day ultimatum to get vaccinated against the coronavirus.

According to a memo issued on Monday by Fredrick Irabor, permanent secretary of the ministry, any staff member who fails to receive the vaccine within the period will not be allowed into office.

“I am directed to refer to the above subject and to notify all staff (members) of the ministry of health to get vaccinated against the deadly COVID-19 within the week,” the memo stated.

“I am further directed to inform you of all that from September 6, any staff (member) who has not taken the COVID-19 vaccine will not be allowed into the office premises.”

South Africa detects new COVID-19 variant

South Africa has detected a new COVID-19 variant with multiple mutations.

According to Reuters, scientists are yet to establish if the new variant is more contagious or able to overcome the immunity provided by vaccines.

The variant, C.1.2, is said to have been first detected in May and has now spread to most South African provinces and to seven other countries in Africa, Europe, Asia and Oceania.

Laboratory tests are underway to establish how well the variant is neutralised by antibodies.

Nigeria records 460 infections

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says 460 people tested positive for coronavirus on Monday.

The latest positive samples of COVID-19 were recorded in 13 states and the FCT, according to the agency’s update for August 30, 2021.

Rivers topped the COVID-19 infection chart with 164 new cases, 139 in Lagos, and 61 in Edo.

Other states include FCT (37), Bayelsa (20), Oyo (14), Plateau (7), Ogun (6), Anambra (4), Benue (4), Enugu (2), Cross River (1), and Kaduna (1).

One person died of the infection on Monday, bringing the death toll in the country to 2,455.

The NCDC said 209 people were discharged on Monday after recovering from the infection.

With the new figure, a total of 178,492 patients have so far recovered from COVID-19 in Nigeria.

A total of 191,805 coronavirus cases have now been confirmed across the country.

AstraZeneca asks US employees to get COVID-19 vaccines

AstraZeneca, drugmaker, has asked its US employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19 before returning their offices.

“We will provide accommodations for those unable to be vaccinated due to medical, religious or other restrictions,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

Moderna and Pfizer have also demanded employees get vaccinated against COVID-19.

COVID-19 IN NIGERIA