Daily COVID Tracker: Nigeria records 53 cases — highest single-day count for the week

Nigeria on Thursday recorded 53 new cases of COVID-19, representing the highest single-day count for the week. Here are five updates about the pandemic this Friday. 

Australia to produce COVID-19 vaccine

Australia says it is in talks with Moderna to establish domestic manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines.

The development comes about 24 hours after Australia agreed to buy 25 million doses of the Moderna vaccine.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said producing the vaccine will speed up the country’s response to the pandemic.

“Onshore manufacturing would ensure a secure, long-term supply of Moderna’s mRNA-based vaccines against COVID-19, including variants, and for potential future pandemics,” Morrison said.

Fully vaccinated Americans can resume activities without wearing masks

Americans who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can now resume regular activities without wearing a face mask.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fully vaccinated persons may also not observe physical distancing, “except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance”.

They will not need to get tested before or after travel within the US, nor will they need to undergo self-quarantine after travel.

They also don’t need to get tested before leaving the US, unless their destination country requires the COVID test.

The agency, however, warned that fully vaccinated individuals must still wear a mask and physically distance when going to hospitals, when travelling by public transportation, or while in transportation hubs like airports and bus stations.

Japan to reduce number of visiting officials to Tokyo Games 

The organising committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games says it will reduce the number of visiting officials to 90,000 or less.

Toshiro Muto, the committee’s chief executive officer (CEO), said prior to the 2020 postponement of the games, 180,000 officials were expected from overseas.

According to Kyodo news agency, the number of athletes has remained unchanged at about 15,000, but Muto said the number of officials may be cut.

Nigeria records 53 COVID infections

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Thursday recorded 53 cases of COVID-19 in three states.

Lagos, the epicentre of the pandemic, recorded 36 infections followed by Rivers with 14 cases and Akwa Ibom with 3 infections.

No deaths were reported on Thursday.

According to the agency’s data, 13 people were discharged after recovering from the virus.

To date, 165,559 cases have been confirmed, 156,374 persons have been discharged and 2,066 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the federal capital territory (FCT).

Amazon to hire 75,000 workers, pay $100 vaccine bonus

Amazon, online retail giant, says it is hiring 75,000 workers across its warehouse and delivery network in the US and Canada.

The company said it will offer a $100 bonus to new warehouse and transportation hires who show proof of their COVID-19 vaccination.

Alicia Boler Davis, vice-president of global customer fulfilment, said the bonus is to help the recruits navigate the pandemic.

“Working at Amazon also comes with an unwavering commitment to safety, especially as we continue to navigate a global pandemic,” Davis said.

“In addition to the great pay and robust benefits available to new hires starting on their first day, we’re offering a $100 benefit to new hires who come to Amazon already vaccinated for COVID-19.”

COVID-19 IN NIGERIA