GOV. WIKE TO IMPOSE HARDER MEASURES TO CURB COVID-19 SPREAD IN RIVERS STATE.

   Gov. Wike

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, said he would re-impose lockdown beginning from January as the number of coronavirus cases surge in the State.

Gov. Wike gave hint of imminent second phase of lockdown amid rising cases of COVID-19 during the thanksgiving church service in celebration of the 90th birthday of Mrs. Priscilla Nwanediye Mark, at the St. Martin’s Anglican Church, Omagwa in Ikwerre Local Government yesterday.

He lamented as worrisome the refusal of most churches and markets in the State to enforce compulsory wearing of face mask in adherence to COVID-19 protocol.

The governor said the State government had initially relaxed the restriction on the number of persons who worship in churches, but with second wave of COVID-19, he would by this week announce new stringent measures to check the spread of COVID-19 cases in the State.

“When you go to some churches, they don’t wear mask. Go to market, they don’t wear mask. They believe COVID-19 is not real. It’s not real because it has not happened to you; nobody had died whom you know. When somebody has died and the person was close to you, you will know that COVID is real.

“So, it is real and I want to appeal to all of you that we have to be more strict now because the second wave is more dangerous than the first wave. It’s very, very dangerous. I know how many people we have lost since the second wave started”, he stated.

Governor Wike implored the Bishop of Diocese of Ikwerre to prevail on members of all the churches under his jurisdiction to always wear their face mask.

“If you don’t comply, I have no choice, but to shut down the churches; Pentecostal, Catholic,  Anglican. I have no choice, because when you have it, who spends the money? It is the state that treats. So, we need to use the money for some other things, but not for this. Let us discipline ourselves and know that COVID is real. Let nobody tell you that there is nothing like COVID. It’s real”, he appealed.

The governor urged Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in Ikwerre Local Government Area to use Mrs. Mark’s 90th birthday to work in unison for the development to the area.

He also used the occasion to extol the chairman of Ikwerre Local Government, Samuel Nwanosike for his commitment to the development of the area.

Governor Wike, however, urged Nwanosike to respect party leaders and ensure that all stakeholders work in unison to move the State forward.

The governor, who was accompanied by the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, announced donation of N50 million to the church.

Delivering a sermon titled “Thanking God for His Mercy” the Bishop, Diocese of Ikwerre, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Right Reverend Blessing Enyindah, stressed the need for people to always acknowledge God’s mercies in their lives.

Bishop Enyindah, who observed that this is an era were people lived below the lifespan of 50 years, said it was the mercy of God that made Mrs. Priscilla Mark  attain 90 years.

He admonished people to inculcate the habit of living a healthy lifestyle and commit their lives unto God  to be able to live up-to 90 years.

NO FEWER THAN 18 NIGERIAN ARMY GENERALS TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19

Atleast 18 Nigerian Army generals have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), military sources told Channels Television on Sunday.

The infected military officers were said to have had contact with late Major General Olu Irefin who died from COVID-19 complications last week.

According to the sources, the affected senior army officers were attendees of the 2020 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre in Abuja.

Besides, late General Irefin was said to have visited some of his colleagues at home before he attended the conference.

Thereafter, all the officers who attended the conference, their wives, and other members of their families who live with them, have been directed to isolate themselves for a week by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

The sources revealed that the affected senior army officers were mostly those who came from outside Abuja and have been tested by officials of the NCDC.

However, others who were in the nation’s capital have yet to take the test for the virus.

Channels Television also learnt that the venue of the aborted conference – the Nigerian Army Resource Centre in Asokoro – has been decontaminated by health officials at the weekend

Major General Irefin fell ill at the 2020 Chief of Army Staff Conference last week and was taken to the hospital.

He was later confirmed to be positive for COVID-19 and was receiving treatment before he died.

The late general was the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Six Division of the Army in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

GOV. SANWO-OLU OF LAGOS TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19

   Gov. Sanwo-Olu

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has tested positive for the deadly COVID-19.

The governor had gone into self-isolation after one of his close aides tested positive for the virus on Thursday.

Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, in a statement on Saturday, confirmed the development, saying that following Sanwo-Olu’s exposure to a confirmed case of COVID-19, a PCR test performed on Friday, 11th of December, has confirmed that he has indeed been infected with the virus.

Abayomi said Sanwo-Olu is showing mild symptoms, manifested in fatigue typical of a mild case of COVID.

He said the governor is receiving treatment and is being closely monitored at home by the very experienced State COVID-19 clinical team from IDH Yaba.

“Mr. Sanwo-Olu is doing well on treatment and rest and we are confident that he will recover quickly and clear the virus.

“We are seeing slightly increasing number of COVID-19 positive cases in clusters in Lagos and all residents and visitors should strictly adhere to the prescribed advisories of safe distancing, mask-wearing, good hand and respiratory hygiene and avoidance of unnecessary or large gatherings.

“The festive season is likely to create the opportunity for the virus to spread if we are not compliant with the regulations established by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) for inbound travellers and the festive season celebrations.

“All inbound travellers must be COVID-19 negative by PCR before they board a flight to Nigeria and must self-isolate on arrival and undergo a pre-booked test on Day Seven of arrival in Nigeria,” he said.

Abayomi said Lagosians should keep celebrations to a minimum and be observant and responsible in their interactions, stressing that the significant gains achieved to date in containing COVID-19 in Lagos, which has allowed the state to carefully reopen the economy, must not be reversed.

“No one is immune to this virus and it is certainly still circulating in the community.

“Please join me in praying and wishing the Incident Commander of the Lagos State COVID-19 response, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, a speedy recovery so he can return to normal duties as soon as possible.

“I will be keeping the public informed regularly of Mr. Governor’s recovery and wellbeing,” he said.

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERTS GATHER IN ASABA FOR CRITICAL PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES IN PANDEMIC

Environmental Experts Gather In Asaba For Critical Public Health Issues In Pandemic

Critical intervention for public health in global pandemic will be the main discourse when environmental health experts gather for the 52nd National Scientific Workshop and 3rd International Conference of Environmental Health Officers of Nigeria (EHOAN) which will hold in Asaba, Delta State.

The event with the theme: “Environmental Health – A Critical Intervention Measures For Public Health In Global Pandemic,” which will hold at Lamibele Hall, opposite Government House, Asaba from December 1 to 5, is considered timely in the light of the resurgence of COVID – 19 pandemic across the globe and its inevitable challenges in public health administration in Nigeria.

Dignitaries expected during the occasion include, Executive Governor of Delta State, Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa, who is the Chief Host and the Minister of Environment, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, Special Guest of Honour.

 

The National President of Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria (EHOAN) Dr. Akingbehin Samuel expressed delight that the event which serves as an Elective Congress of the association is holding after postponements due to COVID – 19 lockdown and the recent ENDSARS protests in the country.

He said: “Asaba 2020 is a reality and we are glad it is taking place. We are expecting it to be another gathering of environmental health scholars, public health practitioners and other critical stakeholders.

“Environmental health with its components remains the most effective tool in the prevention of diseases, promotion of health and prolonging of lives.

“It affords great socio-economic benefits globally. The need to prioritise environmental health by all levels of government in Nigeria and the world over is inevitable.”

He further explained that the International Conference, aside providing a desirable opportunity to professionals to analyse and proffer practicable solutions to emerging environmental health challenges, is also a consolidation of EHOAN’s achievements in the administration of environmental health practices in the country.

SCHOOLS RESUMPTION: 181 STUDENTS, STAFF CONTRACT COVID-19 IN LAGOS PRIVATE SCHOOL

Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi.

Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has said that 181 students and members of staff of a private boarding school located in the Lekki area of Lagos State have tested positive for COVID-19.

In a statement from the Ministry of Health, Abayomi said the positive cases were detected during surveillance and case investigation in the school.

The statement titled, “Lagos confirms COVID-19 infection in a private school”, was signed by the Ministry’s Director of Public Affairs, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo.

The statement quoted the commissioner as saying that “181 students and staff members of a private school located in a suburb of Lekki tested positive to COVID19 during surveillance and case investigation in the school. There are 441 students and staff in the school”.

Giving details of the investigation, Abayomi explained that “a 14-year-old SS1 female student fell ill on the 3rd of October and was sent home after receiving first aid at the school”.

He added that “the student subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday 6th of October in one of the accredited private labs in Lagos”.

“There is a total lockdown and movement restriction in the school with the Epidemiology and Surveillance Pillar of the EOC and Ibeju-Lekki LGA State Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer (DSNO) reporting at the school daily to conduct further investigation while positive students and staff have been isolated on the premises and given the COVID-19 home-care treatment packs and are being monitored in isolation within the school premises,” Abayomi added.

MALARIA RECRUDESCENCE: WHY YOUR ANTIMALARIAL DRUG (ACTs) DO NOT WORK SOMETIMES

We want to do a bit of clarification on the effects of co-administering ACT antimalarial agents such as Artemether+Lumefantrine antimalarial e.g Lonart DS, Coartem etc with blood tonic especially (the ones with iron) and Vitamin c (ascorbic acid)  

Please you need to wait till you are done with your malaria treatment before taking any form of blood tonics or supplements prepared in any form. Also, Vitamin C in tablets or fruits rich in Vitamin C should be avoided at all cost when taking malaria medication. 

The course of duration for ACTs is usually 3 days, hence it is advised you take your Vitamin C tabs after 3days.

The erythrocytes (red blood cells) are composed of elements with HAEMOGLOBIN been its basic unit. Haemoglobin is made up of HAEM( this is rich in iron) and GLOBIN.
Plasmodium falciparum i.e the malaria parasite makes use of iron contained in the HAEM part of the haemoglobin, this is a mechanism the malaria parasites use to multiply.

After destroying and breaking down the erythrocytes it happens that this parasites are targeting the HAEM component. These parasites succeed in infecting as many red blood cells as possible, the breaking down of RBCs causes anemia ( Anemia is a condition caused as a result of depleted RBCs in the blood in this case caused by malaria parasites).

Taking blood tonics while treating malaria would create more room for more parasites to exist as the HAEM (iron) present in most blood tonics taken to avert anemia after destroying the malaria parasites with ACTs might not be effective, the presence of iron in the body system would thus enhance the parasites survival in the blood.
Artemisinin derivatives such as Artemether are made up of an endoperoxide ring which are activated by the HAEM-IRON in the blood which catalyzes their cleavage or breakage to form free radicals aka oxidants.

Vitamin C is an ANTI-oxidant and thus acts as an anti oxidant which means it naturally attacks and inhibits the progression of free radicals or oxidants in the body or antagonizes the effects of oxidative derivatives induced by the ACTs(Artemisinin Combination Therapy)

Taking Vitamin C with your drug would therefore lead to the destruction of those free radicals that are supposed to kill the malaria parasites, thus giving room for proliferation/multiplication.

Next time you are given Blood supplements and (or) VITAMIN C with your ANTIMALARIAL DRUG'S be wise to finish with your malaria treatment before proceeding with the vitamins and blood tonics so as to prevent relapse and/or recrudescence.

COVID-19: FG DEPLOYS 60,000 HEALTH OFFICERS TO ENFORCE GUIDELINES FOR SCHOOLS REOPENING

The federal government has deployed about 60,000 Environmental Health Officers, who will act as volunteers, to mount surveillance and enforce Presidential Task Force (PTF) guidelines for schools reopening across the nation.

Recall that the federal government through the Presidential Task Force on COVlD-19, had in the past week decided to reopen schools which had remained closed since February as a measure to contain the spread of the disease in the country.

The schools reopening however is to be done in strict compliance with the directives of the PTF.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja on last week Monday, the Minister of Environment, Mahmood Abubakar, said 60,000 of such volunteers will cover schools in all the 774 local governments in the federation.

The 60,000 environmental health emergency volunteer corps, according to the minister, will be working with other stakeholders at the sub national levels in accordance with the said guidelines for the safe reopening of schools.

Abubakar said the ministry will monitor compliance with prescribed standards through a network of monitoring and evaluation teams across the nation and there will be sanctions for disobedience to the guidelines.

According to him, ”It is the duty of Environmental Health Officers to prioritize the immediate setting up of School Environmental Health Clubs where none existed prior to COVID-19 pandemic and as well resuscitate those not properly functioning. These clubs essentially run by selected learners will help in implementing directives of the teacher driven School Hygiene Committees.

”It is also appropriate to advise school managers to introduce Hygiene and Sanitation Prefectship to ensure proper compliance and daily guidance of learners. In the same vein, Environmental Health Officers working in the states and local governments are hereby directed to key into the training of teachers, administrators, and other education personnel on safety and hygiene measures namely disinfection, safe distancing, hand hygiene, use of face masks/shields, respiratory hygiene and Waste management.

“They will also play vital role in the development of information, education and communication (IEC) materials on hygiene and sanitation for use around the premises and in classrooms. EHOs should also see to the provisions for safe and hygienic school feeding arrangements and facilities as food hygiene is paramount in the safe school operation with particular attention to safe distancing in cafeterias. Equally important is for the EHOs to ensure food handlers and vendors in schools are regularly monitored for conformity with hygienic practices and behaviour while feeding learners from farm to fork.

”Furthermore, in accordance with the guidelines, environmental health officers in the federal and state Ministries of Environment as well as those in the LGA Environmental Health Departments shall be part of the Joint Assessment Teams for Safe Reopening of Schools and Learning Facilities being part of the Authorized Assessors.

“Additionally, Environmental Health Departments at all national levels are hereby directed to work collaboratively with respective Education Ministries and Departments to succeed.

EHSAN MARKS WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DAY~ DRAWS ATTENTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PRINCIPLES

There is the need for members of the public to utilise all environmental health principles related to hygiene and sanitation to reduce public health scourge. These are preventive methods that will reduce morbidity and increase life expectancy and wellbeing of individual members of communities.

The president of President of Environmental Health Scientists Association of Nigeria (EHSAN), Professor Godson Ana made these remarks at an event organised by EHSAN to commemorate World Environmental Health Day.

The event which took place at the Oyo State College of Health Science and Technology had the theme: ‘Environmental Health: A key public health intervention in disease pandemic prevention.’

Professor Ana, who is also the Dean of the Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, noted that even though the government has failed to provide the necessary infrastructure for proper sanitation to be practised, individuals in the community must learn to adopt hygienic practices for their own good.

The EHSAN president said, “The man on the street is a co-stakeholder to ensuring the sanitary conditions he is. If we are all collectively responsible to our environment, then the disease prevalence morbidities will be reduced. Everybody has a role to play: not defecate indiscriminately, pollute our waters or burn refuse anyhow to pollute the air. We are all responsible to the environment.

“It is unfortunate that our government has not been responsible in providing the basic infrastructure that is supposed to enhance these practices we are talking about, but on the side of the citizen, at least behaviourally let us try our best for our good. We must care for the environment to safeguard our lives first.”

The dean said the event was to “draw government’s attention closer to its evaded responsibilities” towards the environment. 

Also at the event, Mr Elijah Udofia, the South-west zonal director of National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), in his remarks said that, “In the past six months as part of NESREA proactive COVID-19 response, the Agency released a comprehensive ‘Guideline for Handling Infectious Waste within the Context of Coronavirus (COVID-19)’. These guidelines have greatly helped to prevent further spread of the virus by promoting safe handling of healthcare wastes from Isolation centres and other healthcare facilities treating coronavirus-related cases.”

He added that through these guidelines, the agency has been able to promote sustainable management of wastes from laboratory cultures and waste from isolation wards. “NESREA has also organised series of nationwide and grassroots public awareness, enlightenment and training sessions for healthcare facilities, teaching hospitals medical doctors, nurses, volunteers, and members of the public on the safe handling of COVID-19-related waste products.”

Mrs Bolanle Ibrahim of the Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON) called for the recruitment of more young people into EHORECON to widen the impact of the council.

World Environmental Health Day is celebrated on September 26 to shed light on the important work of environmental health around the world.

JOHESU TO EMBARK ON NATIONWIDE STRIKE FROM MIDNIGHT SUNDAY

Health workers under the auspices of Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU has declared a nationwide strike over hazard allowance and non-payment of withheld salaries of their members among others.

JOHESU, in a statement on Sunday, has told its members to withdraw services from midnight of Sunday, September 13, 2020, since nothing concrete was achieved at the meeting with the Federal Government.

According to the statement, leaders of various health unions in the sector unanimously reached the decision at the end of their expanded National Executive Council.

“In the light of the above, the meeting of our expanded NEC was held Saturday 12 September 2020. And at the end of the meeting, which was held both physically and virtually, it was unanimously agreed that since nothing concrete was achieved at the said meeting with the Federal Government, that the strike notice is still germane and alive.

“Therefore, the 15-day ultimatum still subsists and with effect from midnight of Sunday, 13th September, 2020 our members shall withdraw their services due to Federal Government’s inability to meet their demands,” the statement added.

The health workers had in a letter dated August, 30th, addressed to the Federal Ministry of Health, FMOH, issued a 15- day ultimatum to the Federal Government to meet their demands.

The demands of the aggrieved workers include; the review of the defective implementation of COVID-19 Special Inducement and Hazard Allowance; the payment of all withheld salaries of JOHESU members, including the withheld April and May 2018 salaries; and the adjustment of Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) as was done with Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) since 2014.

Others listed in the letter with the reference number HQ/JOHESU/ADM/FMoH/VOL.II/55 are the implementation of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (ADR) Consent judgment and other court judgments as well as the call to address the structural and infrastructural decay in the health sector.

GERMANY ANNOUNCES Ban ON SINGLE-USE PLASTIC PRODUCTS

Germany has finally announced a nationwide ban on single-use plastic products. 

In March 2019, the European Parliament approved a law that would ban the use of single-use plastics all across the European Union, sparking the ‘Single-Use Plastics Directive’, intended to reduce critical waste and pollution in member states.

In line with this mission, this week the German Cabinet announced that single-use plastic cutlery, plates, plastic straws, cotton bud sticks, oxo-degradable plastics, food containers, polystyrene cups and plastic balloon sticks would be prohibited in the country from July 3, 2021.

Environment minister Svenja Schulze said the announcement was part of a government effort to move away from ‘throw-away culture’, The Independent reports. For context, around 20% of the rubbish collected across Germany is made up single-use plastic products, such as polystyrene containers.

The directive recognises that single-use plastics have become ‘increasingly ubiquitous in everyday life’ for purposes ‘which are not designed for re-use or cost-effective recycling, means that related production and consumption patterns have become increasingly inefficient and linear’.

Schulze added, as per DW, ‘many single-use plastic products are superfluous and non-sustainable use of resources’ and ‘in addition, plastics end too often in the environment or in the oceans’. According to Federal Environmental Agency research, Germany amassed 18.7 million tons of packaging waste in 2017.

While more than 80% of all marine litter is made up of plastic products, single-use plastics represent about 70% of all rubbish found in the ocean. ‘With today’s cabinet decision, we are taking an important national step in the fight against the plastic flood,’ Schulze said.

The UK’s ban on single-use plastics was originally planned to come into place in April this year, however it was pushed back six months due to the current pandemic. As well as the unavoidable use of single-use personal protective equipment, which has already been found in the sea, the UK’s Foodservice Packaging Association also reported ‘huge demand’ for cups and cutlery.

While a number of restaurants will be reverting to single-use plastics upon reopening tomorrow, July 4, solid hygiene measures on reusable items are just as effective.

PA Images

Louise Edge, senior plastics campaigner at Greenpeace UK, told WIRED: ‘Experts are telling us that when it comes to buying food and drinks, plastic packaging doesn’t offer any special protection – and reusable cups, bottles and containers are perfectly safe to use, as long as they are washed properly and social distancing is observed.’

Edge added: ‘Companies and governments still need to step up and shift us away from using plastic for throwaway items like food and drink packaging. They can ensure plastic is only used for essential items – like medical kit – and that it is captured and reused at the end of its life. That’s the only way we will stop this contamination of our environment.’

The directive is set to reduce the EU’s environmental damage bill by €22 billion, the estimated cost of plastic pollution across Europe until 2030.

HOW LONG CAN THE NEW CORONAVIRUS SURVIVE IN DROPLETS AND ON SURFACES?

The new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, like many respiratory viruses, mostly spreads between people through small droplets released from the nose or mouth of an infected person. These droplets can either be inhaled by people nearby or can land on clothing or other surfaces and lead to virus transmission when the surfaces are touched by uninfected people. Studies have so far shown that SARS-CoV-2 can survive in air droplets for as long as three hours and on some hard surfaces for up to three days.

How long can the new coronavirus survive in droplets and on surfaces?

A recent study has explored how long SARS-CoV-2 remains infectious outside the human body, either in droplets or on contaminated surfaces.

Two key parameters were measured: the half-life of the virus, which is the time taken for 50% of the viruses to be no longer infectious, and the maximum time at which viable viruses could be recovered. Evidence collected for SARS-CoV-2 showed that viruses in droplet aerosols (a fine mist) had a half-life of just over an hour but some could survive for three hours or more. Infectious virus could be detected on copper surfaces for up to four hours, on cardboard for up to 24 hours, and on plastic and stainless steel for at least 72 hours. These observations of virus persistence underline the value of regular disinfection of surfaces and attention to hand hygiene in controlling the spread of infection. A limitation of these studies is that they have been performed under a single set of conditions (indoors with constant temperature and humidity), and with a single initial dose of virus. It is likely that virus persistence will vary in different indoor and outdoor environments, and the length of time a surface remains contaminated will depend on the initial dose of virus to which it is exposed.

Can coronavirus be detected on surfaces in healthcare settings?

Coronavirus contamination of surfaces in healthcare settings was studied in Wuhan, China, during the COVID-19 outbreak. Commonly used objects in hospital wards, such as medical equipment and personal protective equipment worn by healthcare workers, were swabbed and tested for virus. 

Researchers found that the most contaminated zones within the hospital were in the intensive care unit; the highest levels of contamination were found on desktops/keyboards (16.8% of total swabs taken were positive), doorknobs (16%), and hand sanitizer dispensers (20.3%). Virus was detected on gloves (15.4%), eye protection and face shields (1.7%). This information gives an indication of where decontamination practises should be focussed to decrease the risk of virus transmission in these settings.

How does coronavirus spread through the air?

COVID-19 virus chiefly transmits through liquid droplets containing viruses. These droplets are often generated by infected patients through coughing and can transmit the virus to uninfected individuals by direct inhalation, or by contaminating nearby surfaces. These larger droplets tend to fall close to where they were released, which is why social distancing measures have been enforced.

If SARS-CoV-2 could travel in the air, outside liquid droplets, it might be carried longer distances on air currents. 

There is currently no robust scientific evidence to support airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2. However, following a hospital-associated outbreak of SARS in Hong Kong in 2003, a study examined the contribution of the ventilation system to the spread of the virus through the hospital ward.

During that outbreak, the virus spread to patients and medical students who were in close contact with the index patient, as well as to people in distant areas of the ward, suggesting possible airborne transmission. The pattern of new infections was associated with both the distance and the air flow from the room containing the index patient to other areas of the ward. This finding suggested, but did not prove, that the ventilation and air conditioning systems contributed to the apparent airborne transmission of SARS.

In a study conducted during the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan, researchers used pumps to sample air from several locations in two hospitals, a general hospital treating acute COVID-19 patients and a field hospital repurposed from an indoor sport facility used to quarantine and treat mild cases of COVID-19. 

They looked for traces of the virus (specifically the RNA that makes up its genetic material) within different sizes of airborne droplets. Virus RNA was detected in aerosols in the intensive care unit of the general hospital, within staff changing areas, and in a small, temporary, unventilated toilet. These were areas of the hospital used by large numbers of patients and healthcare workers, or communal areas in which activities allowed virus-containing droplets to be re-suspended in the air, such as the removal of contaminated personal protective equipment or toilet flushing. Virus RNA was not detected in areas with strict disinfection procedures or sophisticated ventilation, suggesting that such measures might limit the generation or movement of small droplets containing the virus. While these experiments only detected viral RNA, which does not necessarily imply the presence of infectious virus, they do suggest that SARS-CoV-2 has the potential to be transmitted via aerosols.

Studies into the timing of new infections during localised outbreaks of COVID-19 on cruise ships, at restaurants and at call centres suggest that large droplet and contaminated surface transmission are the main routes of infection. For example, during the COVID-19 outbreak on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, isolation measures were imposed that confined passengers to their cabins for significant periods of time. Direct contact with others was strictly limited and increased hand hygiene was enforced; these measures led to reduced rates of new infections. This suggests that the outbreak was driven by close contact transmission rather than long-range transmission between rooms via the air conditioning system.

Understanding how respiratory viruses are distributed in droplets and in the air, and whether ventilation systems play a role in their spread, can help to inform containment practices in health care environments.

FG BEGINS 2020 N-POWER BATCH C RECRUITMENT PROCESS. SEE HOW TO APPLY

Npower Batch C registration will be opened from 26th June, 2020 and its open to All  Nigerian graduates. Past beneficiaries are not eligible to participate in Batch C

Details of information needed to apply for npower

1,  name (Surname first)

2,  E-mail

3,  Password

4,  Educational Background

5,  National Youth Service Certificate

6,  Birth Certificate

7,  Local Government Identification letter

8,  Bank Verification Number 

9,   Phone Number

10, Bank Account Number

11, Bank name

12, State origin, LGA, Community

13, Residential Address

14, State of Resident

15, Local Government of Resident

16, The program you prefer

*QUALIFICATIONS*

→ 1. JCHEW

→ 2. SCHEW

→ 3. NABTEB

→ 4. OND

→ 5. HND

→ 6. RN

→ 7. RM

→ 8. B. Tech

→ 9. B. Sc

Read more here :https://www.jobly.com.ng/fg-begins-2020-npower-batch-c-recruitment-process-and-how-to-apply/

Please share to other groups

Send to your love once who may want to apply

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICERS ARE THE KEY TO WINNING COVID-19

The reason for the growing number of cases of covid-19 is because the government prefers to use politicians and other non professionals to manage the prevention of covid-19.

There are trained professionals in the aspect of disease prevention.
All over the world Environmental Health Officers are spearheading contact tracing, decontamination/disinfection, Health education, waste management (including medical wastes), public health law enforcement in relation to covid-19, manning / control of all entry/exit points, overcrowding management, supervision of burials of covid-19 moralities, and a host of other processes and preventive protocols aimed at interrupting the pathway of the disease transmission.
But here, in Rivers state, it is politicians and their loyalists that are mostly seen doing Environmental Health Officers' duties as it concerns covid-19 prevention.

The Rivers state government must as a matter of urgency, effect the engagement of Environmental Health Officers, in a wholistic manner to step in with their trained professional strategies and protocols to help flatten the curve in Rivers State.

All qualified Environmental Health officers, whether employed by the government or not, must be called up to respond professionally to the clarion professional call aimed at winning the covid-19 war.

Environmental Health officers in government employment (and those not yet employed but trained/ qualified) are not mostly engaged at all even at this critical time. That's disturbing indeed.
Please let the government  engage the requisite professionals for the job: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH  OFFICERS REMAINS THE  KEY THAT WILL HELP FLATTEN THE CURVE.

#lets take responsibility. 

BREAKING: MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF KASTINA GENERAL HOSPITAL DIES OF COVID-19

Dr Kabir Tijjani, Medical Director of General Hospital, Mani, Katsina State, has died of COVID-19. The death occurred on Tuesday, a family source told News hounds. 

The source said the late medical doctor was last week diagnosed with the viral infection and later moved to one of the state’s isolation centres where he died on Tuesday evening.

He had since been buried under strict Environmental Health supervision based on the global best practices in Katsina.

According to the National Centre for Disease Control, Kastina State has recorded 205 cases of the COVID-19 infection.

NON-MEDICAL FACE MASK MADE OF CLOTHES DOES NOT PREVENT COVID-19 – NAFDAC WARNS

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has made clarifications on the use of non-medical face masks to stop the spread of Coronavirus.

The agency in a statement made available on its official Twitter page, said face masks which include self-made or commercial masks or face covers made of clothes does not prevent spread of diseases but reduces chances.

It advised Nigerians to perform a simple test to know if the mask is protective.

The statement in part reads: “Simple test: If wearer can put off a flame from a cigarette lighter that is placed in front of the wearer, the mask is protective enough.”

According to NAFDAC, “Barrier face masks do not prevent you from contracting disease but, they have been found to contribute to reduce spread of infections when used widely in conjunction with other measures. Such measures include social distancing, not touching the face, eyes or mouth, washing of hands with soap for 20 secs or use of alcohol based hand sanitizers.”

The agency warned that non-medical face masks made of cloth are not standardized for use in healthcare settings or by healthcare professionals.

“They serve to limit spread of droplets and offer some measure of protection to those around you.

“The material of construction is usually cloth(textile fabric), non-woven wadding, or paper-like materials. For these Barrier Masks, 100% cotton is preferred though, polyester, linen or knit fabric can be used.

“These face masks are recommended to be washed daily and preferably should be a double layer of fabric to increase the absorbency and effectiveness.

“It must be noted that several washes, drying and stretching of the mask over time reduce the effectiveness of the mask,” the statement read in part.

The agency made the statement following compulsory use of face masks by state governments as Nigeria continues to battle the spread of COVID-19.

ADEQUATE ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND WASTE MANAGEMENT: CRITICAL FACTORS IN CORONAVIRUS CONTROL

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic currently ravaging  all continents of the world has created a global public health emergency as a result of its rapid global transmission with almost 1 million people confirmed and several thousands killed globally. For example, New York, USA, recorded the highest death rate of about 735 deaths in a day.  Nigeria fortunately has 493 confirmed cases as of 17th April 2020 ; low casualty figure of 17 deaths thus far; while 159 cases have been discharged. Yet the outbreak is still spreading like  wildfire and also destabilising the economies of most countries with developing countries at the highest risk.. 

Knowledge gaps exist in available scientific literature about the control of coronavirus and these have thrown up some  questions about what factors influence the environmental behavior and survival of the virus  as well as a deep understanding of its lifecycle and fate.

The pertinent questions include the following : 

(i) How do environmental factors affect the role of aerosol transmission of the virus 

(ii) How does the virus survive in different environmental compartments (land, water, air) and conditions?; 

(iii) What are the environmental impacts of viral spread from the disposal of medical waste and contaminated articles? 

(iv) How does this virus survive and dissipate in human feces and wastewaters and the wider environment ; and not the least  (v) How effective are water disinfection treatments at stopping viral spread and how can we improve the current strategies for the containment of the outbreak in the environment?, 

Answers to these questions provide opportunities for research data for informed decision making.

Environmental monitoring challenges

One of the operational challenges of COVID-19 control is the inadequacy of testing facilities when compared to large populations to be tested.  Dutch scientists reported a break through recently having found that traces of the  pathogen “SARS-CoV-2 which is the virus that causes COVID -19 were present in the feces of many infected persons and wastewater.’’ This implies  that ‘’sewage surveillance could be a useful tool in detecting whether COVID-19 is present in a population before testing patients.

Dealing with hazardous waste during coronavirus plague

COVID-19 waste or any materials/articles contaminated with coronavirus fall under the category of Medical/Clinical wastes which are  hazardous or dangerous or deadly  waste (1989 Basel Convention) with inherent chemical and physical characteristics, such as toxicity, ignitability, corrosiveness, carcinogenicity or other properties which also  cause death. This has implication for the management of  wastes from COVID-19 or articles/materials contaminated with the virus from  testing laboratories ; Isolation facilities; and quarantine facilities for the treatment of infected persons as well as wastes from lockdown centers respectively and as appropriate. 

The use of personal protective equipment covering from head to toe and of the correct quality; specifications and standard cannot be over-emphasised. Chicago City workers in USA said they’re picking up 50 percent more garbage during lock-down or stay-home order — but aren’t issued masks. Nigeria has lessons to learn here by recognizing the value of efficient waste management system and safety protection for waste handlers in the lockdown areas of the country such as Lagos, Ondo, Abuja and Abeokuta.

Hence extant crude methods of disposal of municipal solid wastes or co-disposal with hazardous waste in dumpsites or non-engineered landfills or uncontrolled open air-burning are all not environmentally sound or acceptable for coronavirus waste management with potential high risks  to human health  and the environment.  

Co-disposal of municipal solid waste with coronavirus waste may result in the latter becoming secondary source of continual release of deadly coronavirus waste into the environment and causing more deaths in the future.  The order of Lagos state government asking waste scavengers to quit dumpsites in Lagos is therefore a timely proactive action to avoid unnecessary deaths at the dumpsites 

Some international organizations and professional bodies have offered advice  to governments that waste management be given a significant role during  coronavirus crisis. A few of the Headlines promoting this idea  are :  -United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP) Adds to Calls for Governments to Consider Waste Management an Essential Service-Public Waste Industry Must be Included in Coronavirus Emergency Response-Member States Must Recognise Waste as “Essential Services”

 Conclusion

The Nigerian government Coronavirus Emergency  Response Strategy and the  implementation have been highly commendable, making Nigerians proud. The performance of the Lagos State “Action Governor”, H.E. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been inspirational. The Presidential Task Force too has performed creditably; yet it should take on board international clamour that proper waste management must be Included in national Coronavirus Emergency  Response plan in  all countries. This should also be implemented in all the states of the federation. 

In this regard, the Federal Ministry of Environment, with the mandate for hazardous waste management control in the country, should develop National Guidelines for proper Management of coronavirus wastes, including high temperature incineration  technology with pollution control. The presidential taskforce through Federal Ministry of Environment should also carry out Post Impact Environmental Assessment (PIEA) of the following activity centres: lsolation ; Testing and Quarantine’; De-contamination materials /equipment store house etc,  to ascertain that no legacy of deadly coronavirus waste pollution  remains at these sites. 

Waste management must be Included in Coronavirus Emergency  Response plan. Furthermore, professional bodies in waste management and technology must be fully captured into the national response plan.

• Professor Osibanjo is President, Waste Management Society of Nigeria (WAMASON).

CORONAVIRUS NOT AIRBORNE - WHO DEBUNKS MYTH.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has debunked a myth which suggested that coronavirus is airborne and can remain in the air for 8 hours.

 

'Coronavirus is not airborne' - WHO debunks myth

 

The international health agency in its tweet stated that the virus is mainly transmitted through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks.

 

It added that the droplets are too heavy to hang in the air and falls quickly on the floor and surfaces.

 

Some of the protective measures the WHO listed include keeping 1m distance from other people, disinfecting surfaces, washing of hands.

 

See the tweet below:

 

 

 

LOW NUMBER OF CORONAVIRUS TESTS IN NIGERIA RAISES SUSPICION OF CONSPIRACY

While the Nigerian Government may have announced only 65 confirmed cases of Coronavirus so far, the numbers clearly do not reflect the true state of things in the country, many observers believe.

With the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control in charge of testing and confirming the number of infected persons in the country, the agency seems compromised as data are being hidden from the public.

It was reported that there are more silent cases of Coronavirus than the figure released by the NCDC is showing.

Also, few number of tests are being conducted with the agency not attending to complaints made by some Nigerians, who call the NCDC hotlines to report suspected cases of COVID-19.

The country has five testing centres – two in Lagos and one each in Abuja, Osun and Edo.

A Twitter user, @UtohPaul, raised the alarm on how people were not being tested as the NCDC had prioritised politicians and influential Nigerians for testing.

“There are people waiting to be tested but rather than sort this backlog out, designated personnel have been deployed to government officials and other VIPs. This thing will blow in our faces,” he tweeted.

CAPTAIN@UtohPaul

There are people waiting to be tested but rather than sort this backlog out, designated personnel have been deployed to government officials & other VIPs.
This thing will blow in our faces#CovidNGR

8

12:07 PM - Mar 26, 2020

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In another tweet, he said that new tests would not be done as the NCDC was attending to backlogs.

“Just been informed that the test of new cases for the #COVID19NIGERIA will have to wait a while as they're attending to a backlog. The exception is if the case is severe,” his tweet read. 

CAPTAIN@UtohPaul

Just been informed that the test of new cases for the #COVID19NIGERIA will have to wait a while as they're attending to a backlog.

The exception is if the case is severe so please be patient.

Our DM's are open if you need any help@Tutsy22

71

4:27 PM - Mar 26, 2020

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As at March 25, only 178 tests had been conducted in Nigeria since the first case was recorded in the country on February 27.

According to the NCDC, 178 subjects were tested in a total of 16 states – Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, FCT, Kano, Katsina, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Rivers and Yobe.

At least 88 tests have been done in Lagos followed by Abuja with 52 tests.

The two states currently have the highest number of cases with 32 in Lagos and 10 in Abuja.

As against the deliberate act of not testing people in Nigeria, the World Health Organisation has called for the mass testing of people suspected of having the virus.

“You cannot fight a fire blindfolded and we cannot stop this pandemic if we don’t know who is infected.

“We have a simple message for all countries: test, test, test. Test every suspected case,” WHO said.

As it stands, there are 2,100 total confirmed Coronavirus cases in Africa with Sierra Leone, Sao Tome and Principe, Malawi, Comoros, Lesotho, Botswana, Burundi, and South Sudan yet to record any case of the COVID-19 virus.

While 101 persons have recovered, 31 deaths have been recorded on the continent.

There are fears that if the situation remains the same in Nigeria and more people with suspected cases are denied access to testing, the spread of the virus could further escalate in the coming days in Africa’s most populous country.

WESTERN DIPLOMATS WARN OF CORONAVIRUS EXPLOSION IN NIGERIA AS EUROPEAN COUNTRIES EVACUATE CITIZENS

Reports reaching our Newsdesk has it that some Western diplomats on Friday warned that with the current and abysmal way the Nigerian Government was handling the Coronavirus outbreak, the number of infections could witness a significant rise in the coming weeks. 

Already, Nigeria has 81 confirmed cases and one recorded death of the pandemic. 

According to the diplomatic community, infections could rise to more than 10,000 in the coming weeks as there are at least 5,000 persons, who had come in contact with infected persons in Nigeria already. 

This category of persons, it was gathered, had gone ahead to mingle with thousands of others in the society without realising that they had the virus.

"This is the real danger. A lot of people who have had contacts with original carriers of the virus don't even know they have the ailment and have in fact gone ahead to mingle with hundreds and thousands of others in the society, spreading the virus further.

"From information we have in the diplomatic community, there could be an explosion of confirmed infections in the coming weeks. It is going to disrupt a lot of things," a senior diplomat attached to one European high commission in Nigeria told SaharaReporters on Friday.

Echoing the same sentiment, another diplomat, whose country has provided technical support to African nations battling the spread of the virus, said the situation in Nigeria was dire because the number of untested infections far outweighed those examined by government agencies. 

So far, only around 200 persons have been tested for Coronavirus in Nigeria due to the unavailability of testing kits.

Though Chinese billionaire, Jack Ma, has donated testing kits and protective items to Nigeria and other African countries to help combat the virus, hundreds of potentially infected persons are yet to be examined in Nigeria, increasing the risk of an epidemic in the West African state. 

"We could be having tens of thousands of confirmed cases across Nigeria in a few days from now. 

"There are thousands of people with the virus already on the loose in the country and many of this people cannot be traced. They have taken this pandemic into every nook and cranny of this country. 

"I think Nigeria must act fast to avert a full-blown war," the diplomat said on Friday, adding that Western countries will continue to provide technical support to help Africa and the rest of the world conquer the virus. 

Already, there have been reported cases of people being asked to self-isolate after reporting to health agencies of having symptoms of the virus. 

Without proper monitoring and stringent measures to ensure such persons do not expose others to infection in case they have the virus, thousands of individuals in this category have gone on with their daily activities and opened up the chance of an epidemic in the country. 

Unwilling to take chances, some Western countries are already evacuating their citizens from Nigeria and other African countries. 

For example, an Air France flight on Thursday moved 260 Europeans from Nigeria to France to prevent them from being infected with the virus. 

This came after the Nigerian Government granted a one-week permission to Air France and KLM to evacuate Europeans from the country following the continued spread of the pandemic.

Also on Thursday, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms. Catriona Laing CB, said the mission was exploring available options to send staff and their families back to the United Kingdom.

This was occasioned by projections by experts and top diplomats that the Coronavirus pandemic could explode in Nigeria and other African countries in the coming days.

But according to the World Health Organisation, Nigeria and other African countries battling the virus must conduct more tests to portray the true picture of things and avert a major crisis.