Daily COVID Tracker: NCDC records 17 infections — but 1,154 recoveries

Nigeria on Tuesday recorded 17 cases of COVID-19. Here are five updates about the pandemic this Wednesday. 

WHO approves Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday approved the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use.

The shot becomes the second Chinese COVID vaccine to be approved by WHO. In May, the agency granted emergency approval for Sinopharm shot produced in China.

It also joins the list of vaccines authorised by WHO — the organisation had given emergency use listing to Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and AstraZeneca.

WHO said “the Sinovac-CoronaVac product is an inactivated vaccine. Its easy storage requirements make it very manageable and particularly suitable for low-resource settings”.

Zambia approves five COVID vaccines

Zambia has approved five COVID-19 vaccines for use — to speed up its vaccination effort.

The vaccines are Sinopharm, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca Covishield, AZD 12225-Korea AstraZeneca, and Pfizer Biotech.

Kennedy Malama, permanent secretary in the ministry of health, said the five vaccines have been approved by Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA).

“As you are aware, these vaccines are part of the basket of vaccines approved by cabinet for Zambia to use on its people subject to authorisation by ZAMRA,” he said.

Buhari seeks global cooperation to fight COVID-19

President Muhammadu Buhari has called for collaboration among countries to tackle the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The president said this on Tuesday at a ceremony to receive letters of credence from the ambassadors of Bulgaria, China, Pakistan, Turkey and Ukraine.

Buhari who cited the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic across the world said the international community needs to collaborate to effectively fight the virus.

Nigeria records 17 COVID cases

Nigeria on Tuesday recorded a relatively low single-day count of COVID cases with 17 infections.

According to the agency’s update, the new cases were recorded in five states.

States that recorded new positive samples are Lagos (8), Rivers (5), Kano (2), Kaduna (1) and Plateau (1).

There were no deaths recorded from COVID-19 complications and the fatality toll remains 2,099.

The NCDC data indicates that 1,154 recoveries were recorded on Tuesday.

It added that “a backlog of recoveries from Ondo State from 31st January 2021 to date” was added to the update.

Out of a total of 166,534 COVID-19 cases now confirmed across 36 states and the federal capital territory (FCT), 159, 935 patients have recovered from the infection.

Australia extends COVID-19 lockdown in Melbourne

Victoria, a state in Australia, has extended the COVID-19 lockdown in Melbourne its capital for another week.

The move is expected to curb the spread of the virus in the region.

The lockdown which was imposed on May 27, was expected to end on Thursday night — but will now end on June 10.

COVID-19 IN NIGERIA