Daily COVID Tracker: Kogi team at NSF tests negative, and Nigeria records low infections

Kwon Deok-cheol, South Korea minister of health, has warned that the country could be at the crossroads of a fourth wave of COVID-19. Here are five updates about the pandemic this Monday. 

NCDC reports 82 fresh COVID infections

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says the country recorded 82 new cases of COVID-19 across eight states on Sunday.

This brings the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases to 163,195.

Lagos (33), Yobe (15) and Abia (11) topped the list of states with positive samples.

Other states with fresh infections include Rivers (10), Imo (5), Akwa Ibom (4), Katsina (2), and Osun (2).

THe NCDC said 145 patients were discharged on Sunday after recovering from COVID-19, increasing the total recovery count to 151,998.

No new death was reported on Sunday.

In Nigeria, a total of 2,058 persons have now been confirmed to have died of COVID complications.

Libya receives first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine 

Libya has received its first shipment of 101,250 doses of Sputnik COVID-19 vaccine from Russia.

Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, Libya’s interim prime minister, described the arrival of the vaccines as “first raindrop”.

He advised citizens to get registered so that they can be vaccinated.

“First raindrop … Thank God we were able to supply the first batch of Corona vaccine Provided that the rest of the shipments arrive in succession,” he said.

“I invite the Libyan people to register for the vaccination system, and my best wishes for safety for all.”

Colombia extends COVID-19 restrictions

Ivan Duque, president of Colombia, on Sunday said it will extend coronavirus-related curfews in various cities across the country to curb the spread of the infection.

Intensive care unit (ICU) admission is said to have increased in Colombia owing to the surge in infections.

Duque said the restrictions will vary based on ICU occupancy rates.

He added that the curfew will be effective from Monday and will continue through April 19

“It’s clear that … some municipalities have shown increases in recent weeks and there also exists the risk of a new national increase in the coming weeks. We must act, prevent and take appropriate decisions,” Duque said.

South Korea warns of a fourth wave of COVID-19

Kwon Deok-cheol, South Korea minister of health, has warned that the country could be at the crossroads of a fourth wave of COVID-19 after it recorded more than 500 new cases for the fifth consecutive day.

Speaking at a press briefing on Sunday, the minister asked the public to follow health protocol to prevent infection, cancel all unnecessary meetings and actively participate in the vaccination process.

“We are standing at a crossroads between achieving herd immunity through vaccination and whether to face the fourth wave of infections as group infections are soaring in various facilities where many people come into close contacts such as retail stores, restaurants, schools and daycare centres,” Deok-cheol said. 

“In the current situation where the national vaccination program has begun for the general public, if a fourth wave takes place, it will wear greatly on the medical system due to the limited number of medical staff.”

Netherlands suspends AstraZeneca COVID vaccination

The Netherlands has suspended administering the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine until April 7.

The Dutch ministry of health on Friday said it will temporarily stop vaccinations for people below the age of 60. However, after discussions on Saturday, health departments announced the suspension of all AstraZeneca vaccinations.

Hugo de Jonge, health minister, said the temporary suspension is a precautionary measure, after incidents of blood clots with low blood platelet counts were reported.

“I think it is very important that the Dutch reports are also properly investigated. We must err on the side of caution,” de Jonge said.

Investigations are underway to ascertain if the blood clot is linked to the vaccination.

Kogi contingent to NSF pass COVID-19 test

Athletes and officials on the Kogi contingent to the 20th national sports festival (NSF) in Benin have tested negative for COVID-19.

The development comes amid concerns that Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi, has repeatedly downplayed the dangers of COVID-19 and has refused to acknowledge the severity of the infection

According to NAN, Onipe Halli, director of sports in Kogi, said on Sunday in Benin, Edo state capital, that the result was also affirmed by the local organising committee (LOC).

“All team members that made up the Kogi contingent to the 2020 NSF tested negative for the COVID-19 virus after a series of tests conducted by the medical team,” he said.

“The contingent was subjected to rigorous tests by the team from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and were all declared negative.

“After the test which is a pre-requisite for all athletes and officials to participate in the games, all 41 athletes and 35 officials from Kogi tested negative.”