Clinical trials for possible COVID-19 treatment ongoing ― FG

The Federal Government has said that clinical trials for possible Coronavirus (COVID-19) treatment were ongoing.

Dr Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health, said this on Friday in Abuja, at the Presidential Taskforce (PTF) briefing on COVID-19 in the country.

Ehanire said that all efforts would not be effective if Nigerians do not cooperate with the government.

The minister said that Nigeria has recorded 10 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours.

”Cumulatively, as of April, 3, there are 190 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country.

“The confirmed cases are in 12 states and the FCT. Nigeria had two fatalities and 20 patients have been discharged from treatment,” he said.

According to him, there are 98 cases of coronavirus in Lagos State; 48 in FCT; Osun 20; Oyo 8, Akwa Ibom five; Edo, Kaduna and Ogun, four each; Bauchi three; Enugu and Ekiti two each, while Rivers and Benue have one each.

“We are already seeing what may be indications of sustained community transmission in the sense that 30 per cent of the cases have incomplete epidemiological information, while 51 per cent were imported cases and 19 were contacts of known cases.

“We are using the small window of opportunity remaining to intensify investigations to identify cases and their sources.

“This is one of the purposes for which the lockdown of two states and the FCT was proclaimed by the President. These areas, especially Lagos as primary epicentre, but also other parts of the federation, need to speed up their activities to detect and isolate COVID-19 patients.

“During and following the lockdown, we expect to see an increase in cases as a measure of improvement in case finding. If social distancing and other measures are adhered to, the incidence of positives cases can be controlled,” he said.

The minister said that the NCDC tested nearly 3,000 samples so far in the country and the centre is working hard to scale up their capacity in a targeted approach.

(NAN)

 

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

Buy and read digital replicas of your TRIBUNE titles by subscribing through E-VENDING

Nigeria, Chad, Niger Commence Joint Onslaught Against Boko Haram
Poised to quell the lingering insurgency, nations around the Lake Chad basin, Nigeria, Chad and Niger have commenced a joint “massive” onslaught against Boko Haram. According to the Voice of America, tweeting at voanews.com, the joint offensive is a renewed operation following the inadequacies of the multinational force of countries… Read full story

We Will Defeat COVID-19, But I Don’t Want Any Casualty —Makinde
The governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, on Monday, tested positive to Coronavirus otherwise known as Covid-19. In this interview monitored on the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) radio stations and the privately-owned Fresh FM 105.9, the governor, who phoned in from isolation, addressed… Read full story

COVID-19: Our New Positive Case Was Infected In Lagos ― Ekiti Govt
The Ekiti State government on Thursday disclosed that the latest positive case for the coronavirus pandemic in the state contracted the disease at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. It will be recalled that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had on Wednesday announced a new positive case… Read full story

Nigeria Likely To Record More Cases Of Coronavirus, NCDC Says
Nigeria is likely to record more cases of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), infections, as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) progressively expands its testing capacity. Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director-General of NCDC, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) while giving an update on COVID-19 in the country… Read full story

After 14 Days In Isolation, Buhari’s Daughter Reunites With Family
Nigeria’s First Lady, Aisha Buhari, has expressed joy as she reunites with her daughter who has been on self-isolation since she returned to Nigeria. In a tweet via her handle, @aishambuhari, Mrs Buhari said, “It is a thing of joy & gratitude to Almighty God to reunite with my daughter after she had been in isolation for 14 days… Read full story

Two Nigerians, Anthony Onasanya, Patricia Imobhio, Die Of Coronavirus In UK, Italy
Two Nigerian citizens have died of the coronavirus both in the United Kingdom and Italy. While a Nigerian living in Britain, Anthony Deola Onasanya, on Wednesday died of the disease, 60-year-old Mrs Patricia Imohibo died on March 28 from complications from the disease… Read full story

UPDATE: UCH CMD, College Of Medicine Provost, Deputy Test Negative For COVID-19
The Chief Medical Director (CMD), University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Professor Jesse Otegbayo, has tested negative for COVID-19 after eight days of isolation and treatment. Head of Public Relations Unit of the hospital, Mr Toye Akinrinlola, who confirmed this said that the last test on his blood sample has come… Read full story

COVID-19: Atiku’s Son Goes Against Fake News, Preaches Unity As He Narrates Experience
The son of former vice president Atiku Abubakar, who tested positive to COVID-19 on March 20, Mohammed Atiku, on Thursday, urged Nigerians to be circumspect about spreading false news especially about COVID-19 patients, as this may further aggravate their health by further weakening their immune system… Read full story

Lagos Lockdown: It’s A Long Night Of Frustration For Importers, Cargo Operators
The Lagos State government lockdown of the state over the covid-19 pandemic commenced on Monday night, March 30, effectively taking life out of the ever busy roads and highways of the state. With the ports remaining operational, cargo evacuation business has become more tedious and difficult… Read full article

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE