Daily COVID Tracker: NCDC logs 36 infections — but no fatalities

Nigeria recorded 36 cases of COVID-19 on Sunday. Here are five updates about the pandemic this Monday. 

Portugal to ease restrictions for EU visitors

Portugal says it will relax restrictions for travellers with European Union (EU) health certificates as from Monday.

Visitors to the country will no longer be required to present a negative COVID-19 test.

The country’s government said travellers who are “in possession of an EU COVID digital certificate” or any other “recognised proof of vaccination” will be exempted from presenting a negative test upon arrival in the country – which had been required since early December.

Chinese city locked down after Omicron breakout

The Chinese city of Baise has been locked down because of a COVID-19 outbreak,

Local officials in the city announced on Sunday that no one would be allowed to leave the city.

“Citywide traffic controls will be implemented,” Vice-Mayor Gu Junyan said.

“In principle, vehicles and people cannot enter or leave the city… with personnel control strictly enforced and no unnecessary movement of people.”

He added that residents of some neighbourhoods in smaller rural cities and counties under Baise’s jurisdiction have been placed under strict home confinement, while others cannot leave their district.

Papau New Guinea prime minister tests positive for COVID

James Marape, Papua New Guinea’s prime minister has tested positive for COVID-19.

According to a statement on Facebook by his office, he tested positive upon arrival in Beijing on Thursday for the opening of the Winter Games.

“Prime Minister Marape will now abort the French leg of this trip due to COVID-19 restrictions, having returned a positive test result upon arrival in Beijing last Thursday evening,” the statement reads.

Marape was said to have received his booster vaccination against COVID-19 on January 24.

COVID-19 cases in Africa reach 10.8m, death toll hits 240,000

The Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) says a total of 10,896,302 COVID-19 cases have been reported in the continent. 

The healthcare agency of the African Union (AU) made the announcement in its latest update on the pandemic on February 4.

According to the agency, the COVID-19 death toll across the continent stands at 241,112, but 9,917,757 patients have recovered from the infection.

Africa CDC said South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia and Ethiopia are among the countries with the most cases on the continent.

Nigeria records 36 infections

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported 36 COVID infections across the country.

The agency in its update for February 6, said the new infections were recorded in four states and the federal capital territory (FCT).

Below is a breakdown of the new infections by states:

Lagos-23

FCT-5

Osun-4

Taraba-3

Nasarawa-1

The NCDC said there were no fatalities on Sunday.

The agency said the report reflects a corrected computational error of confirmed and discharged cases that occurred last week.

It said it also includes three confirmed cases reported from Taraba state for February 2.

Nigeria now has a total of 253,727 confirmed cases, 230,045 recoveries and 3,139 deaths.