Daily COVID Tracker: NCDC logs 255 infections in six states, four deaths

September 27, 2021 7:27 am

Nigeria on Sunday recorded 255 cases of COVID-19. Here are five updates about the pandemic this Monday.

NCDC commends Airtel for role in fight against COVID

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has commended Airtel for its role and support towards the COVID-19 pandemic response in Nigeria.

Speaking at an event in Lagos on Saturday, Chikwe Ihekweazu, former director-general of the NCDC, expressed appreciation to Airtel for providing digital outreach platforms, access, connectivity and joining in the national campaign to sensitise Nigerians on how to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Ihekweazu said the Airtel SMS channel was very effective in information dissemination and data gathering, as it not only reached the target audience but was considered credible and authentic by the stakeholders.

Cuba kicks off COVID vaccine exports

Cuba says it has commenced exporting its three-shot Abdala coronavirus vaccine to other countries.

The first shipment was made to Vietnam on Saturday — in a contract to supply up to five million doses to the south-east Asian country.

The country had developed three home-grown COVID-19 vaccines which are yet to get the World Health Organisation (WHO) approval.

UK: We’re working to recognise Nigeria’s COVID vaccine certificates

The United Kingdom says it is working with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to ensure that Nigeria’s COVID-19 vaccine certificate is acceptable for travel to the UK.

The British High Commission disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

“Following a pilot with the United States of America and the European Union, the UK is working to recognise vaccine certificates from other countries as part of a phased review of the many COVID-19 vaccine certificates issued across the world,” the statement reads.

“This includes recognising Nigeria’s vaccine certificate and – in the spirit of our long-term partnership – we are working with Nigeria’s National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to ensure that this happens as soon as possible.”

Nigeria records 255 COVID infections

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says 255 people tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday.

The latest positive samples were recorded in five states and the federal capital territory (FCT), according to the agency’s update for September 26, 2021.

Imo topped the COVID-19 infection chart with 124 new cases, followed by Lagos and the FCT with 72 and 36 positive samples, respectively.

Other states that recorded new infections include Rivers (16), Enugu (6), and Kano (1).

Four persons died of COVID-19 complications on Sunday, increasing the country’s fatality toll to 2,677.

The NCDC said 199 patients were discharged after recovering from COVID-19.

The agency, however, noted that the recoveries reported include a backlog of 140 discharged patients in Imo state from September 20-26.

A total of 204,456 COVID-19 cases have now been confirmed — out of which 192,620 persons have been discharged.

El Salvador to give third dose of COVID-19 vaccine to people

El Salvador says it will start administering a third dose of the COVID vaccine to various groups of people.

President Nayib Bukele said eligible persons include the elderly, people with underlying health conditions, frontline health staff, teachers, the armed forces, police and firefighters.

“Considering the success of the third dose in Israel, we have decided to start with a third dose in El Salvador,” the president said.