COVID-19: REGBEREGBE GROUP APPEAL TO OGUN STATE GOVERNMENT FOR AN ISOLATION CENTRE

A Group (Regberegbe) has appealed to Gov. Dapo Abiodun to create an Isolation centre in Ijebu Ode local government considering the possible outbreak that might likely occur based on the announcement of Mr President on the relax of the lockdown in the state.

The group made the appeal in a letter addressed to the governor and jointly signed by its Coordinator and Public Relations Officer, Oreagba Olatunbosun and Adepoju Adekiitan respectively.

The group appreciated all the medical teams working so tirelessly day and night to ensure infected people in the state were reduced drastically.

The group noted that the isolation centre would guaranteed security of lives of Ijebu Ode indegenes and it’s environs, adding that it would increase the people’s sense of belonging and more trust in the present administration.

We are Ijebu born young men between the age grade of 1983-84-85.

We must congratulate you and your team on the success recorded so far towards the curb of the spread of the dreaded virus COVID-19 in Ogun State.

Sir, In our own little way to show our support and interest in this government, we distributed palliatives and stimulus package to the less privileged and the agedin every nook and cranny of Ijebu land.

We indeed do not have any doubt in us that the distribution of palliatives to 1,000 youths of our dear Ijebu-Ode local government, and as replicated in other local government in Ogun State, will also go a long way most especially in this “Stay Home and Stay Safe” era.

Nigerian Pastor From Calabar Sells Covid-19 Prevention oil for $100

A Nigerian Prophet Goodheart Val Aloysius has claimed he has a solution to Covid-19 as he began the sales of a certain prevention oil for the disease.

Taking to his Facebook page, the cleric, who is the founder a church in Calabar, Cross River state, The Wealthy Place claims the solution gives spiritual immunity and it goes for a whopping $100.

He wrote:

THE SOLUTION IS HERE!!!

Get This COVID-19 PREVENTION OIL and gain spiritual immunity to the deadly Pandemic
with a seed of faith of 100 USD (100$)

His claims have however drawn criticisms on social media as Nigerians stormed his page to call him out, with some claiming they have reported him to the appropriate authorities.

See some reactions by Nigerians:

*** Goodheart Val Aloysius, you don’t know God at all. You must be from the pit of hell. Christianity of 2020 is not what it is used to be in 2019. Covid 19 pandemic has made your slaves to know that all power belongs to Jesus Christ

*** By the time this pandemic is off our way,there will be serious revolution I the church,can you imagine this one?????

*** So some people still believe this guy, anybody who attend this church has brain tumor $100 is about #40k criminal…

School Association Ask School Management to Prepare for students, teachers safety ahead of resumption.

The Association of Nursery and Primary Education Instructors in Nigeria has urged school owners and administrators to prepare for students and teachers healthcare safety ahead of schools resumption.

Its National President, Simeon Fowowe, made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Lagos.

Fowowe said each school must possess incident reporting and approved schools safety insurance.

He said school owners and administrators should also provide good condition, sufficient, reliable and health assurance safety for the students and teachers.

According to Fowowe, schools should be responsible for providing a healthy environment to develop or support safe hygiene behaviour to avoid contact of viruses and diseases among students.

He said: “With the current Coronavirus pandemic situation in the country, lives of students and teachers will not be safe, if they should go back to schools.

“There is an urgent need for government at all levels and school administrators to formulate policies, guidelines and protocols on safety and security matters.”

Fowowe said safety policy should be written and signed by the school authorities and encourage both staff and students’ participation.

He said: “The following objectives, amongst others, should be considered when implementing the policies, including: promotion of good safety practices within the school system.

“Others are: provision and maintenance of safe working conditions, equipment, systems and practice of work for teachers and pupils and maintaining the safety, development and welfare of children, while adult to child staff ratio must be maintained.

“As often as possible, students should be taught how to wash their hands, drink clean water throughout the school day, making use of approved toilets for urination, defeacation and washing of hands with liquid soap and sanitisers.”

Fowowe said schools should prioritise good health status of staff, increase productivity and create a safe working environment to reduce sickness and absenteeism.

“For children between age three and seven years, the staff ratio is 1:8 or 1-25 as provided in the National Policy on Education (2014). It is advisable that the minimum of two staff should be on duty,” he said.

Fowowe added that there had been silent and open agitations from concerned parents and educators to the government for reopening of schools to complete the second term examinations.

He said: “Some wish the third term begins immediately while few want both electronic and physical learning kick-start.

“Teachers still remain the major facilitators of this learning, therefore, those in charge of education at the government levels and private schools should weigh not only the health of their students, but also the teachers who are at elevated risk.

NCDC opens up Why They don’t give COVID-19 test results to individuals

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has been rigorously criticised in the way and manner at which they conduct Covid-19 tests on suspected individuals. Their usual way of testing without issuing result to individuals has raise eyebrows as to the authenticity and transparency of the process and results.

Many affected persons who have been subjected to quarantine and subsequent isolation have come out to raise suspicion and doubts on the processes adopted by the NCDC.

Several persons who had tested positive for COVID19 had complained of not getting to see their tests results in papers.

Raymond Dokpesi jnr, chairman of DAAR Communications Plc, after his discharge on Friday also shared same sentiment.

He complained that he was discharged without seeing results of tests conducted by the agency to assert he is positive for the virus.

“Whilst I can attest to my improvement in physical health and wellbeing, I regret to say that since my initial test to date, I have never seen any documentary evidence of any test result,” Dokpesi said.

“I take it in trust and good faith that the NCDC pronounced me COVID-19 positive and that they have now also pronounced me COVID-negative.”

He, however, stated that he would appreciate it if the documentary records of the various tests on him and members of his family are made available to them for their medical records.

He also stated that such “lapses” on the NCDC side could make patients to lose confidence in public healthcare providers.

In response to these allegations, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has said its role is not to provide coronavirus test results to individuals but to “coordinates communication” of test results between its laboratories and states.

“It is important to emphasise that the NCDC does not provide results to individuals,” NCDC said in a tweet on Friday.

“Our role as the national public health institute is to coordinate the communication of results between testing laboratories and States, who then communicate with individuals,” it added.

NCDC DG differentiate between COVID-19 and Malaria after Raymond Dokpesi demanded for answers

Chikwe Iheakweazu, the Director-General of the National Center for Disease Control today spoke on the between the ravaging viral disease, COVID-19 and Malaria.

This comes after the chairman of DAAR communications, Raymond Dokpesi who was discharged from an Isolation center in Abuja on Thursday May 14, asked what the differences were because according to him, all the drugs given to him at the Isolation center were anti-malaria drugs. Dokpesi while speaking to newsmen after his discharge, said

”I still have doubts in my mind. I still want to be properly educated. What is the difference between COVID-19 which is a virus and Malaria which is caused by mosquitos because every medication we were given was malartia medication. Some people, before they were told they were COVID-19 positive, they were tested in reputable laboratories and hospitals in Abuja and what they found was that they had a lot of malaria parasites in their bloodstream. So when did malaria become synonymous to COVID-19?”

A reporter at the daily briefing of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, threw this question to the NCDC boss and here is what he had to say

”I think we all know COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a virus, Malaria is caused by a parasite. They are completely different diseases.

However, many diseases present exactly the same way in the beginning, Yellow fever presents the same way with fever at the beginning, Lassa the same way, malaria the same way.

So, the initial presentation of a febrille illness is similar across diseases. There is no specific treatment for COVID-19 so what clinicians do is to manage your symtoms so that your body recovers as quickly as possible.

You can have Malaria and COVID-19. That you have COVID-19 doesn’t prevent you from having Malaria and if you are in a hospital for one month, you could definitely be co-infected by both of them.

So there are many reasons why people receive similar treatments but they are two completely different diseases with different pathogenesis.” he said

FG: Pleaded with COVID-19 Survivors to Stop Giving Details of the Drugs used for their…

The federal government yesterday pleaded with COVID-19 survivors to stop giving details of the drugs used for their treatment to discourage self-medication.

The Chairman, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha, made the plea at a press briefing in Abuja, following recent video testimonies of some high profile survivors, talking about the drugs administered on them at the treatment centres.

It was disclosed that nine local governments alone accounted for 51 per cent of national infections of the Coronavirus, and that five states were participating in WHO- coordinated solidarity drug trial, as fresh strategy is being worked out to address community transmission in states like Lagos and Kano.

Boss Mustapha, expressed concern that some of the testimonies disclosing the prescription for treatment of the virus could encourage patients to indulge in self-medication instead of seeking help from health authorities.

He urged all Nigerians that have symptoms of COVID-19 to test for the virus and if positive, go into the isolation centres for care by experts.

“The PTF congratulates and appreciates the testimonies of Nigerians who have recovered from COVID-19, which has given us more insights and further strengthens the need to adhere strictly to guidelines issued. However, an emerging issue from all these testimonies is the issue of prescription for treatments. We should always remember that the symptoms of COVID-19 mimic some illnesses we already know but treating the symptoms is not the same as treating the virus. For this reason, we strongly discourage self-medication,” Mustapha said.

He also said that five states in Nigeria were currently participating in the on-going World Health Organization (WHO)-coordinated solidarity trial to find a cure for the pandemic, saying that at the end of this trial, relevant health authorities would make statements on acceptable drugs for treating COVID-19.

COVID-19: Ex-UCH CMD reveals how patients were treated in Oyo

Eleven COVID-19 patients at the Olodo Infectious Disease Centre, Ibadan, were on Friday, discharged after testing negative twice.

The released persons comprise three females and eight males.

The decision to free the 11 persons, according to Coordinator of isolation and treatment centres in the state, Professor Temitope Alonge was because the released persons had twice tested negative for COVID-19.

Alonge certified that the released persons were fit to reunite with their family members and be reintegrated into the society.

For the two weeks they stayed at the centre, Alonge noted that most treatment efforts were hinged on boosting the immunity of the former patients.

He noted that the COVID-19 patients were treated to zinc, vitamin C and chloroquine, while some were given cough syrup and antibiotics.

“They had zinc on a daily basis, vitamin C 2g (1g each for morning and night), and they also had Chloroquine 500m, and 50m daily for another three days.

“In between this, some of them had a cough and of course those ones we put them on cough syrup and antibiotic cover, the reason being that with the viral infection they are prone to develop other infection.

“We are not only looking at their symptoms, there is something that we also check which is the viral load. We also check what we call CT but the value of the CT has a correlation with the value of the viral load, the higher the viral load the lower the CT value,” Alonge said.

He disclosed that about 32 COVID-19 patients were still at the centre and in stable condition, adding that efforts were being geared towards facilitating their speedy release.

ARSENAL: ARTETA Set to Announce the Signing of 25-year-Old Seria A Star in Coming Weeks

Agreeing to Calciomercato24.com (h/t Football.london), Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot is a mid year move focus for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. 

Rabiot had quite recently shown up at Juventus the previous summer on a free exchange from PSG. Nonetheless, the 25-year-old has been once in a while utilized by new manager Maurizio Sarri this season, making only 11 beginnings from his 17 group appearances up until now. 

He has included in 24 games over all rivalries for the Serie A mammoths and is yet to enroll an objective or a help. In the interim, Arsenal are hoping to reinforce their crew after their troubling presentation in the class this season. 

The Gunners are at present ninth in the association – their most exceedingly terrible ever execution as of late. They have battled both in midfield and guard, and had earlier targeted Rabiot in January. In any case, no arrangement appeared, with the French midfielder waiting in Turin. 

Munititions stockpile will have an accomplished midfielder in Rabiot. 

Nonetheless, with the side's exhibitions on the pitch unmistakably not improving, Arteta and Arsenal have now reignited their enthusiasm for their previous objective. Rabiot, then, is an adaptable midfielder fit for playing both in the center and in a more profound job, having done as such on various events for previous side PSG. 

The Gunners, then again, could truly do with a player of Rabiot's shape as Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira have battled with poor structure and irregularity. 

Also, they simply have youthful Matteo Guendouzi and Joe Willock in the center, with on-credit midfielder Dani Ceballos expected to come back to his parent club toward the finish of June. 

Regardless of simply being 25, Rabiot is an accomplished campaigner with 227 matches, 24 objectives and 14 helps added to his repertoire for previous side PSG, making him a charming objective for the Gunners. 

Given Rabiot's understanding, playing for top sides, for example, PSG and Juventus, Arsenal's choice to make a move for the Frenchman resembles a positive development. 

Given Arsenal's poor standings in the alliance this term, unmistakably they need some new faces. Having included for a portion of the top sides in Europe, his experience could be helpful for a battling side, for example, Arsenal. In addition, he is as yet youthful and has a lot of football left in him. Subsequently, Arsenal must attempt to land him at the Emirates as quickly as time permits.

31 Staff Test Positive For COVID-19 In Oyo Company

Thirty-one staff of the same company in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, have tested positive to Coronavirus Disease.

This was revealed by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday.

Makinde, in a tweet on his Twitter handle, said the company has been shut down, while contact tracing had begun.

He tweeted: “The COVID-19 confirmation tests for thirty-one suspected cases came back POSITIVE.

“Thirty of these cases are members of staff of the same organisation based in Ibadan South West Local Government Area.

“The organisation has been shut down and will be decontaminated.

“We urge members of the public to remain calm as the situation is under control.

“Intensified contact tracing has already commenced.

“We will give an update on any additional measures that may need to be taken.

“The remaining one case is from Egbeda Local Government Area.

“So, the total number of confirmed cases in Oyo State as at 8 PM on Saturday, is 107.”

NYSC: No Final Clearance, No POP For 2019 Batch B Corps members

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has said there will be no Passing-Out for any 2019 Batch ‘B’ Stream 1 Corps Members who has no clearance letter.

 NYSC said that all the 2019 Batch B Stream 1 Corps members must present final clearance from their various employers on the Passing Out day.

“The 2019 Batch ‘B’ Stream 1 Corps members scheduled to pass out on Thursday, 28th May,2019 are to submit their final clearance from their employers”.

NYSC also said that Corps members who are presently not at their Place of Primary Assignment (PPA) due to COVID-19 pandemic shall also submit their final clearance before issuance of their Certificates.

Below is the full statement:

“Please, refer to the Circular referenced: NYSC/DHQ/PRS/DIP/CIR/STATE/VOL.II/369 of 29th April, 2020 on the above subject matter. This is an adjust. “The 2019 Batch ‘B’ Stream 1 Corps members scheduled to pass out on Thursday, 28th May,2019 are to submit their final clearance from their employers.

“2. For purpose of clarity and emphasis, the Local Government Inspector are to ensure that Corps Employers sign and stamp such clearance.

“3.  Corps members who are, presently, not at their Place of Primary Assignment (PPA) due to COVID-19 pandemic shall also submit their final clearance before issuance of their Certificates, upon return to their states of deployment.

“4. You are enjoined to give this circular the widest possible circulation, please.”

Signed; Y.S. Ehoda-Adi

For: Director-General

COVID-19: LASG Releases Additional Guidelines Public and Private Schools, Government Establishments, Religious Centers, Corporate and financial business, Private Estates.

As part of measures to further curtail the spread of COVID-19, Lagos State Government, issued additional guidelines for the operations of all the commercial, industrial, institutional and recreational facilities that were recently unlocked in the state.

The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tunji Bello, who released the COVID-19 guidelines via virtual media briefing, said these guidelines were measures adopted to ensure that the community transmission of Covid-19 pandemic is curtailed.

According to Bello the guidelines are in accordance with Lagos State Public Health Law 2015, as well as Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law 2017 and includes decontamination of premises/facilities by using government-certified outfits and approved disinfectants, fumigants.

The commissioner also mentioned the provision of personal hygiene facilities such as: running water and soap for handwashing, digital thermometer, alcohol-based sanitizers and face masks, as well as adherence to operation at 60 per cent of staff strength to ensure physical distancing for commercial, industrial facilities.

He stressed that with the ravaging COVID-19 proper cleaning and sanitation of the facility environment which includes: proper storage and proper waste disposal should be strictly adhered to in addition to Installation of appropriate environmental, safety and warning signages for employees and customers about required and suggested measures.

Tunji Bello stated that as part of the guidelines, organisations must work on the reconfiguration of spaces to permit the required distance between employees and between clients, customers and also establish alternate means to serve customers, as applicable.

He also stated that organisation must plan work schedules and shifts to accommodate staggered shifts and in line with the Lagos State Government and National Centre for Disease Control guidelines, NCDC.

Bello thereafter listed the affected facilities as supermarkets, stores and Eateries.

Other affected services include: Industrial facilities; all manufacturing and packaging facilities, bulk terminals, logistics and haulage companies.

Also affected are: Corporate and financial business which include all banks and finance houses, bureau de change, insurance companies and corporate offices, construction camps and sites and commercial facilities: oil, gas, petrol and diesel depots, petrol and gas filling stations, bus parks and terminals, malls, grocery stores, supermarkets.

The commissioner also listed institutional facilities such as: All public and private schools across all tiers, government establishments, religious centres as well as residential facilities- private estates as part of the facilities affected by those guidelines whenever they are reopened.

UK health workers jubilate as Nigerian surgeon Professor Olagunju Ogunbiyi recovers from COVID-19

Health workers at a hospital in the United Kingdom couldn’t contain their excitement after a Nigerian surgeon recovered from the coronavirus.

Professor Olagunju Ogunbiyi – a consultant colorectal surgeon at the Royal Free Hospital in North London, who also consults at the Wellington Hospital in St John’s Wood, still in North London – recovered from COVID-19 after receiving treatment for about six weeks.

He revealed he was treated in an intensive care unit for about two weeks, adding that he has never been hospitalised in his entire life.

Professor Olagunju Ogunbiyi said

“Thank you very much, everyone … just over 6 weeks ago I came here, sort of feeling very ill and I put my trust in my colleagues and they haven’t disappointed,” he said.

“The care I have received in the intensive care unit has been superb. I don’t think I could’ve got any better care anywhere. When I came to the ward, the same thing, everything has been perfect.

“It’s the very first time I have ever been hospitalised in my life and it’s good to have had a major life-threatening illness and come through it,” he said

Professor Olagunju Ogunbiyi added that he’ll have to go home and recover fully, saying “I can’t believe my legs are like jelly, it’s as if I’m learning how to walk again. I should be back soon, many thanks to everyone.”