Daily COVID Tracker: Nigeria records 214 fresh infections, and Germany extends restrictions

March 24, 2021 8:23 am

Germany has extended its COVID-19 restrictions over the Easter holiday to curb the spike in infections in the country. Here are five updates about the pandemic this Wednesday.

Nigeria records 214 fresh infections —but one death

Nigeria on Tuesday recorded 214 COVID-19 cases and one death.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed the cases in 11 states and the federal capital territory (FCT).

The agency reported 405 recoveries on Tuesday, including 157 community recoveries in Bauchi, 55 in Lagos, 121 in the FCT and a backlog of cases from Adamawa state recorded from March 10.

In recent days, Nigeria has maintained a low casualty figure from the virus. The number of COVID-19 fatalities now stands at 2,031 deaths.

To date, 162,076 cases have been confirmed and 148,530 persons have been discharged.

Out of the confirmed cases in the country, 11,521 are currently active, and 1,727,467 samples have been tested so far.

Pfizer to make other vaccines using technology

Pfizer, drugmaker, has announced plans to develop new vaccines using the technology called mRNA to target other viruses and pathogens beyond COVID-19.

According to Wall Street Journal, Albert Bourla, chief executive officer (CEO) of Pfizer, said this in an interview, and added that the company’s scientists and engineers gained a decade’s worth of experience working on the COVID-19 vaccine.

“There is a technology that has proven dramatic impact and dramatic potential. We are the best-positioned company right now to take it to the next step because of our size and our expertise,” Bourla was quoted to have said.

Group develops website to assess social gaps created by pandemic

Connected Development (CODE), a non-governmental organisation, says it is developing a website to assess the social gaps and challenges faced by citizens affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in some African countries.

Onyekachi Onuoha, CODE project lead, said this when he led a delegation to the federal ministry of health in Abuja.

“A website currently being developed will look at the social gaps and certain challenges faced amongst citizens of those countries such as health, economical and a range of other issues,’’ Onuoha said.

“The project also serves as a platform for coalition building which brings together the government, media, civil society organisations and citizens to help counter-attack fake news and misinformation”.

He named the countries to include Nigeria, Cameroon, Kenya, Malawi, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, and said research had been carried out on the impact of COVID-19 on marginalised communities.

Germany imposes Easter lockdown over surge in infections

Germany on Tuesday extended its COVID-19 restrictions over the Easter holiday to curb the spike in infections in the country.

The country’s general lockdown measures will also be extended until April 18.

Shops will be closed over the Easter period from April 1 to 5, and no more than five people over the age of 14 from two households can gather. Grocery stores will be allowed to open for one day only, on Saturday, April 3.

Angela Merkel, German chancellor, said the restrictions are necessary to flatten the curve of infections.

“We know that the current emergency measures will not be sufficient to stop the exponential growth,” Merkel said after negotiations with state leaders.

“That’s why the 1st of April, Maundy Thursday, and the 3rd of April will be declared rest days this year with expanded contact restrictions and a ban on gatherings from the first to the fifth of April. “That means expanded closures over Easter. For five days in a row, the principle is: we will stay at home.”

Two Chinese cities suspend Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine over packaging defect

Hong Kong and Macau have suspended the use of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine over a defect in the packaging of a batch of doses.

According to a statement, Hong Kong government said it suspended the use of the vaccine as a precaution, and that investigation is underway.

“For the sake of precaution, the current vaccination must be suspended during the period of investigation,” the statement said.

Both Chinese cities said they made the decision to suspend the use of the vaccine after they were contacted by Fosun Industrial, the Chinese pharmaceutical company that distributes the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in China.

COVID-19 IN NIGERIA