COVID-19 Update in Nigeria
Nigeria currently has 194 patients in their respective isolation centres across the country after discharging 33 and recording three deaths.
Lagos which is the epicentre of the dreaded virus has discharged 29 out of the 33 patients. It could also be recalled that Oyo Governor, Seyi Makinde who was initially tested positive for the virus is now negative after two tests.
With the present number of cases recorded so far being 232, Lagos has 120 cases which 29 have been discharged and two deaths recorded. Others are FCT- 47, Osun- 20, Oyo- 9, Edo- 9, Bauchi- 6, Akwa Ibom- 5, Kaduna- 5, Ogun- 4, Enugu- 2, Ekiti- 2, Rivers-1, Benue- 1, and Ondo- 1.
READ: Gbadamosi Apologises for Visiting Funke Akindele’s Husband Party Amidst Coronavirus Pandemic
Funke Akindele-Bello’s Arrest
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said that it has not engaged brand ambassadors as part of our response to COVID19. This is in reaction to the arrest of Nollywood producer, Funke Akindele-Bello, who had thrown a house party for her husband’s 43rd birthday in Amen Estate. She was arrested by the Police for flouting the lockdown order.
“As an agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria, NCDC has not engaged brand ambassadors as part of our response to COVID19 We continue to emphasise that all Nigerians maintain social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID19,” part of its statement reads.
Akindele-Bello had sensitive the citizen with Dettol disinfectant in battling the dreaded disease that has killed over 59000 people worldwide.
Dettol reacts
Also reacting to Akindele-Bello’s arrest, Dettol explained that it only partnered with the NCDC to use the Nollywood producer for the sensitisation, adding that she is not their ambassador.
READ: COVID-19 Nigeria Update
“The NCDC partnered with Dettol on a public service message to educate our communities about preventive measures against COVID-19. Funke is not a brand ambassador of the NCDC.
“As a responsible organization and brand Dettol does not condone any breach of the guidelines on COVID-19. As an organization we are concerned at the turn of events.
“We will continue to support NCDC and the Nigerian govt to fight COVID-19.”
NCDC Opens more lab
In another development, the NCDC has activated the Lagos State Biosafety Level-3 Laboratory for COVID19 testing.
This brings the number of COVID-19 testing labs in Nigeria to nine. Currently in progress are labs in Maiduguri, Kano, Sokoto, Port Harcourt, Jos and Kaduna.
Foreign scene
In another development, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has landed in a hospital for tests, 10 days after testing positive for coronavirus.
According to Downing Street, the Prime Minister was taken to a London hospital on Sunday evening with “persistent symptoms” – including a temperature.
It is said to be a “precautionary step” taken on the advice of his doctor.
The prime minister remains in charge of the government, but the foreign secretary is expected to chair a coronavirus meeting on Monday morning.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia has announced its first COVID-19 deaths.
The announcement was made by Health Minister Lia Tadesse.
Dr Lia said the first victim, a 60-year-old woman, had been admitted at an intensive care unit (ICU) at Eka Kotebe hospital for five days before she died.
The second victim, a 56-year-old Ethiopian man, had been in ICU for three days.
Ethiopia has to date 43 confirmed cases of coronavirus, including two deaths.
