Daily COVID Tracker: Edo appeals to residents to get vaccinated and Canada PM invokes emergency powers amid protests

Here are five updates about the pandemic this Tuesday. 

South Korea to start giving fourth doses of COVID vaccine by end of January

Kwon Deok-cheol, health minister, said people in high-risk groups will be prioritised in the second booster shot campaign.

“We’re planning to provide fourth shots to those who live in nursing homes and care facilities and others with declined immunisation, in light of a recent increase of infections among people aged 60 or older,” Kwon said.

COVID onslaught has overwhelmed Hong Kong, says leader 

Carrie Lam, Hong Kong leader, says the “onslaught” of COVID-19 infections has “overwhelmed” the capacity to deal with the virus.

Lam, who spoke on Monday, said the government would collaborate with China to tackle the “aggravating situation”.

“The onslaught of the fifth wave of the epidemic has dealt a heavy blow to Hong Kong and overwhelmed the city’s capacity of handling,” Lam said.

“The situation is highly undesirable and the government feels worried and sorry about it.”

Trudeau invokes emergency powers amid truckers’ protests

Justin Trudeau, Canadian prime minister, has invoked an emergency measure to respond to the ongoing anti-government trucker protests.

Trudeau said the national emergency will “strengthen and support” law enforcement agencies in dealing with the situation.

“The federal government has invoked the Emergencies Act to supplement provincial and territorial capacity to address the blockades and occupations,” Trudeau said.

“I want to be very clear: the scope of these measures will be time-limited, geographically-targeted, as well as reasonable and proportionate to the threats they are meant to address. The Emergencies Act will be used to strengthen and support law enforcement agencies at all levels across the country.”

The demonstration tagged “Freedom Convoy” began on January 9 over a new rule stipulating that all truckers must be vaccinated to cross the US-Canada border.

Efforts to end the demonstration failed, as the protests grew to include ending all such mandates nationwide.

WHO says pandemic being over is ‘false narrative’

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says high vaccine coverage in some countries combined with the lower severity of the Omicron COVID variant is driving a “false narrative” that the COVID pandemic is over.

Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, spoke in a video conference with Antony Blinken, US secretary of state.

Last week, Sweden said the pandemic is over, scrapping almost all of its COVID restrictions and rules.

Edo advises residents to get vaccinated

Edo government has appealed residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to stop the spread of the infection.

Irene Uabor, health education officer of Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ESPHCDA), made the appeal when in an interview with NAN on Monday.

“The public should be aware that COVID-19 vaccination is still ongoing,” she said.

“Eligible population, 18 years and above, should visit the nearest health centre to get vaccinated.

“All 18 local government areas have several health centres for vaccination.

“All vaccines are available: Oxford/AstraZeneca, Moderna, and Pfizer vaccines.

“None supersedes the other. All vaccines are potent, effective, and given free of charge.

“COVID-19 is still in existence, so let’s take the shot to protect our loved ones out there.

“Parents get vaccinated today and also keep your children safe by avoiding crowded places and teaching them how to wash their hands regularly.”