Nigeria on Wednesday logged 28 COVID-19 infections. Here are five updates about the pandemic this Thursday.
Women disproportionately affected by COVID pandemic, says PAHO
The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) says the Americas is “rife with inequality” of the COVID-19 pandemic and women have been disproportionately affected.
Carissa Etienne, director of PAHO, on Wednesday said lack of access to timely care and disruptions to prenatal services is responsible for the increase in maternal mortality in the Americas during the pandemic.
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“This is a tragedy, especially now that we have safe and effective vaccines… we must prioritise women to ensure they are shielded from the worst of the pandemic,” Etienne said.
Etienne said pregnant women are “among the most vulnerable to COVID-19, due to changes in their immune system which can put them at risk for severe disease”.
“It is critical that health workers talk to expectant mothers about the importance of getting vaccinated to protect them, and their babies, from this virus,” she said.
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“In a region that is rife with inequality, women have, once again, been disproportionately affected.”
Greece to lift mask-wearing outdoors, says minister
Greece has announced plans to lift the requirement of mask-wearing outdoors from Saturday.
Thanos Plevris, health minister, the advisory committee of infectious disease experts recommended the lifting and was accepted and approved by the government.
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“But it is highly recommended to wear masks outdoors when there is a lot of crowding,” he said.
WHO: COVID pandemic triggered 25 percent increase in anxiety, depression worldwide
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says COVID triggered a 25 percent increase in anxiety and depression globally in the first year of the pandemic.
In a report on Wednesday, the WHO said though concerns about potential increases in mental health conditions prompted 90 percent of countries surveyed to include mental health and psychosocial support in their COVID response plans, major gaps and concerns remained.
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Citing the stress caused by social isolation as a major explanation for the increase, the organisation said loneliness, suffering and deaths in the family, were also major factors fuelling anxiety and depression.
Nigeria records 28 COVID infections
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Nigeria has recorded 28 cases of COVID-19.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says the new infections were recorded in four states and the federal capital territory (FCT).
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According to the breakdown by the NCDC, Lagos logged 18 cases, followed by Kano with four infections, the FCT recorded three cases, Rivers reported two infections and Kaduna logged one case.
The agency’s data showed 48 persons were discharged after they recovered from the COVID-19 infection.
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No death was reported on Wednesday leaving the country’s total fatality figure at 3,142.
The NCDC said the 18 cases in Lagos were recorded on March 1 and 2 — (11) and (7) infections respectively.
Nigeria has so far recorded 254,598 infections and 249,138 recoveries across the country.
Minister: Turkey has lifted COVID-related restrictions
Turkey on Wednesday lifted the majority of the country’s COVID-related restrictions, according to Fahrettin Koca, minister of health.
In an address, Koca said masks will not be required to be worn outside or indoors if there is adequate ventilation and when visiting venues like shopping malls or public institutions, a contact tracking app code will no longer be required.
Koca added that asymptomatic COVID patients will not be tested.
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