Daily COVID Tracker: NCDC logs 56 cases, and Delta variant spreads in Ghana

Nigeria on Sunday recorded 56 COVID-19 infections. Here are five updates about the pandemic this Monday. 

Ghana records COVID-19 Delta variant

Ghana has recorded a community infection of the Delta variant of COVID-19.

According to a statement issued by the ministry of information, the country is taking necessary measures to curtail the spread of the infection.

“The Ghana Health Service informed the COVID-19 Task Force on Friday that the Delta Variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus had been recorded within a community in the latest round of genomic sequencing,” the statement reads.

“The relevant agencies are taking the necessary steps to contain the spread, and the positive persons are in good health.”

On June 22, Ghana first confirmed six cases of COVID-19 Delta variants among passengers who arrived in the country.

France warns of COVID fourth wave

Olivier Veran, France health minister, has warned that the country could be heading for a fourth wave of infection owing to the highly contagious Delta variant.

Veran asked people to get vaccinated, adding that it is a “race against time”.

“For five days, (the infection rate) hasn’t come down – it’s rising again. Because of the Delta variant, which is very contagious. The British example shows that a fourth wave is possible from the end of July,” Veran tweeted.

“We must move even faster (on vaccination). Our country is in a race against time.”

Bulgaria to offer incentives to encourage people to get vaccinated

Bulgaria says it is considering offering incentives to people to encourage them to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Stefan Yanev, interim prime minister, disclosed this on Sunday, adding that failure to boost vaccination campaign may force the country to destroy doses of the vaccine which are close to expiration dates.

“We do not plan to force anyone. But we are considering the possibility to offer people who are getting the second shot some vouchers,” Yanev said.

Yanev added that the country is planning to donate about 150,000 shots to western Balkan countries.

Nigeria records 56 fresh COVID infections 

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says the country recorded 56 fresh coronavirus infections on Sunday.

The latest positive cases of COVID-19 were recorded in four states, according to the agency’s update for July 4.

States that recorded new infections are Lagos (47), FCT (6), Ogun (2) and Gombe (1)

Four persons were discharged on Sunday after recovering from the infection, raising the total number of recoveries to 164,382.

The agency reported zero deaths from COVID-19 on Sunday.

This keeps the total number of coronavirus fatalities in the country at 2,121.

A total of 167,859 coronavirus infections have now been confirmed across Nigeria.

US closer to declaring independence from COVID-19, says Biden

President Joe Biden says the United States is getting closer to overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking on Sunday to mark the country’s 245th Independence Day, Biden said more effort is needed to tackle the pandemic.

“Today, we’re closer than ever to declaring our independence from a deadly virus,” he said.

COVID-19 IN NIGERIA