Daily COVID Tracker: NCDC logs 17 cases in five states

Nigeria on Sunday recorded 17 cases of COVID-19 infections. Here are five updates about the pandemic this Monday. 

Belgium relaxes national COVID restrictions

Belgium has announced that starting from Monday, the country will relax its national COVID-19 restrictions.

According to a statement by the Belgium authorities, people will no longer be required to present a valid COVID certificate when accessing bars, restaurants, and cafes.

In addition, the current restrictions that apply for different events will also be lifted.

“From March 7, the corona barometer will switch to code yellow. That has been decided by the Consultation Committee. For example, the Covid Safe Ticket will disappear in the catering industry, and restrictions for events will expire. The epidemic emergency and the federal phase of the national emergency plan will also be cancelled after two years,” the statement reads.

Mainland China records highest daily COVID cases in two years

Mainland China has recorded its highest number of daily new COVID-19 infections in about two years.

According to the national health commission, China reported 214 domestically transmitted cases with confirmed symptoms for Sunday.

This marks the highest daily caseload since Chinese authorities started in March 2020 to count locally found infections and cases arriving from outside mainland separately.

The number of locally transmitted asymptomatic cases rose to 312 for Sunday, the highest daily number since China started also in March, 2020 to classify symptomless infections separately from confirmed cases.

Nigeria logs 17 infections

Nigeria has recorded 17 COVID-19 infections across the country.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says the new infections were logged in four states and the federal capital territory (FCT).

A breakdown of the fresh infections is shown below.

Imo-8

Oyo-4

FCT-2

Osun-2

Kano-1

The NCDC data showed 28 persons were discharged after they recovered from the infection.

No death was reported on Sunday leaving the total number of fatalities at 3,142.

In total, 254,657 cases have been confirmed with 249,199 recoveries.

Chatham Islands reports first COVID cases

Chatham Islands, New Zealand, one of the most remote inhabited places in the world, has recorded its first ever cases of COVID.

Chatham Islands, are just over 800km east of New Zealand’s mainland and are home to about 600 permanent residents.

The authorities confirmed two residents tested positive for the virus over the weekend and were now isolating and being supported.

Monique Croon, Chatham Islands mayor said: “Some people are really worried, and for others, they are prepared and quite comfortable.”

Scotland to roll out fourth COVID vaccine jab to the vulnerable

Scotland will roll out another round of COVID-19 booster vaccines for those at greater risk of the disease from Monday.

The booster jabs will be given to older care home residents, over 75-year-olds and people over the age of 12 with suppressed immune systems.

Letters will also be sent to parents of five to 11-year-old children offering them a first dose of the vaccine.

A fourth jab will be offered to people who had their previous dose of vaccine at least 24 weeks earlier.