Self-isolation
NCDC: Confirmed case of Delta variant of coronavirus detected in Nigeria
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), on Thursday, said it had detected a confirmed case with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, also known as lineage B.1.617.2. The variant was detected in a traveller to Nigeria following the routine travel test required of all international travelers and genomic sequencing at the NCDC National Reference Laboratory, Abuja. The Delta variant is recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a variant of concern, given its increased transmissibility. Facts indicated that the variant has been detected in over 90 countries and is expected to spread to more countries. The variant has also been linked to a surge in cases in countries where it is the dominant strain in circulation. According to NCDC, “there are ongoing studies to understand the impact ...
Nigeria records 63 new coronavirus cases
Nigeria on Friday recorded 63 new coronavirus infections in seven states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The new figure raised the total number of infections in the country to 166,254, an update published by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Friday night indicates. According to the update, no new death was recorded from the virus, which has already claimed 2,071 lives in the country. The data shows that the new COVID-19 cases were reported in seven states and Abuja. Lagos recorded 25 cases, closely followed by Ondo with 22. Rivers State reported six while Akwa Ibom and Kaduna reported three each. Also, Kwara State reported two while Ebonyi and FCT reported one each. A breakdown of the data shows that 11 people were discharged on Friday after testing negative for the vi...
Coronavirus: School reopening, worship centres, others caused second wave – Prof. Abayomi
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has attributed the reasons for the second wave of COVID-19 to the opening up of the economy, the re-opening of schools, large religious congregations, and social gatherings among others. A statement from the Lagos State Ministry of Health quoted the commissioner as saying this while giving an update on the State Government’s response against the second wave of COVID-19 at a press briefing held in Ikeja on Monday. The statement titled, ‘COVID-19: Lagos admonishes residents’, was signed by the LSMOH Director of Public Affairs, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo. “Abayomi attributed the reason for the second wave of COVID19 to include, opening up of the economy; general laxity, false sense of security and non-adherence to safety guidelines by citiz...
Governor Tambuwal’s coronavirus test returns negative
Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State Monday night said he had tested negative for coronavirus. Tambuwal disclosed this on his official Twitter handle. It can be recalled that Tambuwal went into isolation due to his close physical contact with personalities who tested positive for COVID-19 during his recent official trips. According to the governor, during the isolation, he subjected himself to repeated tests by relevant agencies in order to ascertain his status, as required by the COVID-19 protocols. “It is with gratitude to Almighty Allah, that I inform the general public, particularly the good people of Sokoto State, that the outcome of the several tests I have gone through have all been negative”, he added. “I wish to express my gratitude to my Deputy, Hon Manir Muhammad Dan’i...
Lagos governor goes into isolation after close aide tests positive for coronavirus
After one of his closest aides tested positive for COVID-19, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has gone into self-isolation immediately. Professor Akin Abayomi, the state’s Commissioner for Health, in a statement Friday, said: “Mr. Governor and other members of his team will be tested by the Lagos State biobank today but will remain in isolation until the results of the tests are available. “We are seeing slightly increasing number of COVID-19 positive cases in clusters in Lagos and all Lagosians should adhere to the prescribed advisories of safe distancing, good hand and respiratory hygiene and avoidance of unnecessary gatherings.” He stressed that “this is not the first time Mr. Governor is having the COVID-19 test. He has had at least three since May when he announced that 1...
Mercedes replaces Lewis Hamilton with George Russell for Sakhir Grand Prix
British race driver, George Russell, will take Lewis Hamilton’s place at Mercedes for this weekend’s Sakhir Grand Prix after the seven-time champion tested positive for coronavirus. Mercedes has backed Russell’s career since 2017 and he is effectively on a three-year loan at Williams, where he has posted some impressive races since making his F1 debut last season. Jack Aitken, a 25-year-old British-Korean, will race in Russell’s place at Williams for his F1 debut while Russell is away at Mercedes. Mercedes had approached Williams to see if a deal to release Russell was possible as soon as it became apparent that Hamilton’s absence from the first race of his career was confirmed after the positive COVID-19 test and retest. And the confirmation of an agreement arrived on Wednesday morning. T...
Swedish premier self-isolates as nation reports virus surge
Sweden’s prime minister announced Thursday he has gone into protective self-isolation after a person close to him encountered someone who tested positive for the coronavirus. The country is experiencing an autumn surge of infections. From his Facebook account, Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said that on his doctor’s advice, he and his wife, Ulla, were self-isolating, even though they have no symptoms. He said it was “the only responsible thing to do in this situation.” Lofven’s announcement came as Sweden’s Public Health Agency reported a record 4,034 new daily infections and five new deaths, putting Sweden’s total deaths at 6,002. In his post, Lofven said the new infections were clearly going in the wrong direction. Early in the pandemic, as other Nordic nations locked down to fight the vir...
FIFA president tests positive for coronavirus
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has tested positive for coronavirus, the world football governing body announced on Tuesday. Infantino has been confirmed to have contracted the virus and is now entering a period of self-isolation. The 50-year-old is said to have shown just ‘mild symptoms’ of Covid-19, and all those who have come into contact with him in previous days are said to have been informed. In a statement by FIFA it was outlined that Infantino will remain in complete isolation for ‘at least ten days.’ The statement read: “FIFA President Gianni Infantino has received confirmation today that he has tested positive for coronavirus. “The FIFA president, who has reported mild symptoms, has immediately placed himself in self-isolation and will remain in quarantine for at least ten days. ...
Neymar, Angel di Maria, Leandro contract coronavirus
Neymar has tested positive for Covid-19 alongside Paris Saint-Germain team-mates Angel Di Maria and Leandro Paredes. According to L’Equipe, they are the three unnamed players the club revealed had contracted the virus today. Neymar and Paredes have been holidaying on the party island Ibiza and the news plunges the club in crisis just eight days out from their first game of the season. The French champs have had an extended rest after they made it to the Champions League final in Lisbon. The Ligue 1 season started on August 21 but PSG is not due to play until they travel to Lens on Thursday, September 10. But that fixture could now be in jeopardy, with players to be tested regularly in the coming days. The Premier League has also been rocked by a surge of Covid-19 cases thought to be relate...
Federal high court chief judge goes on self-isolation
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court (FHC), John Tsoho, has gone on self-isolation following a confirmed case of COVID-19. Justice Tsoho, in a statement by acting Information Officer of FHC, Catherine Oby Nwandu, on Friday, also ordered some key staff in his office to do same, pending the results of screening tests conducted on him, members of his immediate family and close aides. The statement reads in part: “The Federal High Court recognises that health and safety are paramount in the sphere of justice delivery. “The Court is thus following medical protocols and all precautionary measures for the COVID – 19 prescribed by global and national health authorities. “His lordship has further encouraged strict compliance with the precautionary medical protocols issued by national and inter...
