NCDC Chair clarifies statement on COVID-19 testing| See top five updates on COVID-19 in Nigeria
Owing to the infinite number of information being released at every minute around the novel coronavirus in Nigeria, it is important to not only filter the information we consume so as not to be overwhelmed but to have a reliable space to begin to find the information we need.
NCDC Chair clarifies statement on COVID-19 testing
The Director-General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Chikwe Ihekweazu has explained the motive behind his statement that Nigeria is in desperate need of essential materials for COVID-19 testing.
Ihekweazu said he requested for the ‘RNA extraction kits’ which is currently out of supply and not ‘testing kits’ as reported.
Ihekweazu wrote: “We’re desperately looking for more RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) extraction kits as we expand #COVID19 testing. Product: Total viral RNA extraction kits (preferably spin column and with a lysis buffer). Manufacturers: Qiagen, ThermoFischer, SeeGene, Inqaba, LifeRiver etc.“
President Buhari signs proclamation order on new restrictions
President Muhammadu Buhari Monday, signed the Proclamation Order on the ‘General Management of COVID-19’ in Lagos, Ogun, Kano, the Federal Capital Territory and other states in Nigeria as contained in his latest national broadcast.
Presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, in a statement Monday night, said this was in exercise of the powers conferred on Buhari by Section 3 of the Quarantine Act, CAP Q2 Laws of the Federation 2004 and all powers enabling him in that behalf.
Aisha Buhari gives relief materials to Kano residents
Aisha, wife of President Buhari Monday, donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), medical consumables and assorted food items to Kano.
She presented the items to the state government through her Special Adviser (SA) on Administration, Hadi Uba.
The SA said the items were meant for about 500,000 households across the state to cushion the effect of the lockdown in the fight against COVID-19 spread.
FG says non-compliance causing rising cases
The Federal Government has blamed the rising cases of community transmission of coronavirus disease in the country on non-compliance with lockdown directives, medical advice, unauthorised treatment of patients in private homes and unaccredited facilities.
Speaking at the Presidential Task Force on COVlD-19 (PTF) daily briefing, Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunmibe Mamora said government has activated two additional laboratories for COVID-19 network at the Usman Danfodio University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto and Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria bringing the number to 15.
Soludo calls for strategic redesigning of economy for post-pandemic growth
A member of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Charles Soludo, yesterday called for a fundamental strategy to redesign the country for an effective transition to a viable economy after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Soludo, who was a guest on ARISE News Channel programme, The Morning Show, aired by the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, said the country could not afford to be left behind as a result of the pandemic.
