This is as the centre reported 144 additional infections from  August 14 to  15.

On its official website on Tuesday, the NCDC stated that out of the 144 new infections, Lagos State  reported 101 cases, while Abia confirmed 13 additional cases.

The body also gave the figure of new cases for Akwa-Ibom as 10 while the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, reported nine, Kano State recorded three, while other states contributed the remaining figure.

Kaduna State logged three cases, Bauchi reported one, Ekiti and Plateau states confirmed one case respectively.

The NCDC added that six states; Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers & Sokoto recorded zero cases.

READ ALSO: WHO prequalifies first monoclonal antibody, tocilizumab, to treat COVID-19

The agency said that the latest cases had increased the country’s infection toll to 262,664, while the fatality toll stood at 3,147.

The NCDC website, in its breakdown of the latest infections, NCDC noted the surge in Lagos with a huge gap between it and other states.

Of the 262,664 total cases recorded since the outbreak of the pandemic in February 2020, Lagos State confirmed 102,849 infections followed by the FCT and Rivers with 29,070 and 17,656, respectively.

3,917 people were currently down with the virus, while 256,334 people had been treated and discharged nationwide since the outbreak of the virus more than two years ago.

Globally,  a large number of people are currently contracting COVID-19.

Fortunately, most of them are experiencing only mild symptoms, largely thanks to the high vaccination rate.

However, in some individuals, the disease takes a much more severe trajectory, and understanding of the underlying reasons is still insufficient.

The human genome may hold a key to why COVID-19 is more serious for some people than others.

A team of scientists from the Berlin Institute of Health at Charité (BIH) together with colleagues from the United Kingdom and Canada,  have found genes and proteins that contribute to a higher risk of severe COVID-19.

Their findings have now been published in the journal ‘Nature Communications’.

Source: NAN

The post COVID-19: Lagos leads as NCDC records 144 new cases appeared first on Frontpageng.

According to the governor of the state, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said in order to achieve its goal the government would among other things, ensure that the people of the state have access to quality state-provided healthcare facilities within three kilometres.

That, he said, was apart from the training of its staff to be able to provide quality service.

The governor said while the government was planning to increase its General Hospitals to 30 from 27, it would add to the 330 primary healthcare centres in the state.

The governor who stated that the government would continue to meet the funding benchmark of the World Health Organisation, WHO, for health assured that it would not relent in its efforts to continue to improve on the existing facilities.

Speaking on the ongoing transformation of the infrastructure in the health sector in the state, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, said in order to meet the Sanwo-Olu transformation plan, there would continue to be improvement in the provision of office environment of health workers and their tools.

Doctors’ quarters would also be improved upon as well, he said.

He stated that an assessment of the General Hospitals and Primary Healthcare Centres had shown that there was need for improvement to make them good enough for the workers and patients.

Citing the New Massey Street Children’s Hospital and the Gbagada General Hospital as examples of facilities benefitting from the plan, the commissioner said: “By the time we finished renovation, even though we can’t change the foundation, they look like new.”

He added: “The hospitals will have the same look and feel and all will be connected via smart internet links.”

The post Lagos: Real reason we are transforming medical facilities –Sanwo-Olu appeared first on Frontpageng.

Abayomi disclosed this through his verified Twitter account @ProfAkinolaAbayomi on Saturday, while giving the state’s COVID-19 update for January 20.

The state had on December 7 announced the beginning of the fourth wave as the daily infection figure from the virus spiked.

Abayomi said that there was a reduction in positivity rates of COVID-19 infection from 29.3 per cent recorded on December 21, to 1.9 per cent as of January 20.

According to him, bed capacity utilisation now stands at two per cent, and fatality rate stands at 0.71 per cent.

The commissioner said that 46 new infections were confirmed on the reported date increasing the number of COVID-19 infections in the state to 98,284.

He noted that 1,023, 203 sample tests had been conducted since the inception of the pandemic in the state.

Abayomi advised residents to get vaccinated and continue to adhere to non-pharmaceutical interventions to further reduce the spread of the virus.

Source: NAN

The post COVID-19: Lagos announces end of 4th wave appeared first on Frontpageng.

Abayomi made this known through his Facebook account @ProfAkinolaAbayomi on Tuesday, while giving an update on the state’s COVID-19 status.

The state’s COVID-19 bed occupancy rate dropped from the 53 per cent reported on September 5, to its current 36 per cent.

According to Abayomi, there were at that moment, 263 free bed spaces out of the total 410 bed capacity in the 11 care centres.

He added that the state recorded 72 new COVID-19 infections on the reported date, increasing its confirmed infections to 76,614.

The commissioner said the total COVID-19 tests conducted in the state since inception of the pandemic stood at 748,098.

He said that 73 per cent of the tests were conducted by private laboratories accredited by the state government, while 27 per cent were done at the state public laboratories.

According to him, 5,049 patients had been successfully treated, recovered and discharged from the state’s private and public care centres.

The commissioner, however, noted that the state recorded one new COVID-19 related fatality, increasing the total deaths to 643.

Abayomi said the state’s positivity rate currently stood at 10.2 per cent, while its fatality rate was 0.83 per cent.

Source: NAN

The post COVID-19: Bed occupancy in Lagos care centres drops to 36% appeared first on Frontpageng.

Abayomi made this known through his Facebook account @ProfAkinolaAbayomi on Tuesday, while giving the state’s COVID-19 update for September 5.

He said that in line with the state’s mitigation strategy, it was increasing the numbers of isolation centres available to treat the pandemic during this third wave.

The commissioner listed the eight care centres as: Infectious Disease Hospital 1, Yaba, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Armour, Paelon, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Metta.

Others are: INDO, Grover and Gbagada Isolation Centre.

Abayomi said the care centres had 410 bed capacity, with 193 bed spaces currently unoccupied.

He noted that the state recorded 185 new COVID-19 infections on the reported date, increasing the state’s total COVID-19 infections to 73,995.

The commissioner stated that the total number of COVID-19 tests conducted in the state since inception of the pandemic stood at 700,999.

Abayomi said that 73 per cent of the tests were conducted by private laboratories accredited by the state government, while 27 per cent were done at the state public laboratories.

He said that 4,883 COVID-19 patients who had been successfully treated and recovered were discharged from the state’s care centres.

“Total number of COVID-19 recovery in communities is 65, 128.

“Cases currently under isolation are 231, while active cases under home-based care are 3,180,” he stated.

Abayomi noted that the state recorded three new COVID-19 related fatalities, increasing the total deaths to 573.

“During the third wave of this pandemic, we have recorded about 199 COVID-19 related deaths in Lagos state,” he said.

According to the commissioner, Lagos State has a 10.6 per cent average positivity rate and 0.77 per cent fatality rate.

Source: NAN

The post Bed occupancy in Lagos COVID-19 care centres hits 53% appeared first on Frontpageng.

The state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, made this known through his Facebook account @ProfAkinolaAbayomi on Tuesday in Lagos.

Nigeria had on August 1, received four million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from the United States Government, as it ramps up efforts to fight a third wave of infections.

Lagos had received an allocation of 299,992 doses of the Moderna vaccines on August 18, for the second phase of the national vaccination campaign.

Abayomi said that the state’s second phase of COVID-19 vaccination would begin on Wednesday at the designated vaccination centres across the state.

According to him, residents who are 18 years and above, and have not received the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines are eligible for vaccination during this phase.

“They are to schedule their vaccination via the National Primary Health Care Development Agency vaccination registration platform https://nphcda.vaccination.gov.ng/., and choose their preferred vaccination centre among the 183 designated vaccination sites across the state,” he said.

Earlier, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, said that the state increased the number of centres from the 88 used during the first phase of the vaccination campaign to prevent the gathering of large crowds at the centres.

Sanwo-Olu said that more centres would also ensure that the vaccination campaign did not itself become a super spreader event, considering that the strain fueling the third wave of the pandemic was a virulent one.

He stressed that the state would ensure that the administration of the vaccine was based on appointment only, urging residents against visiting the centres without prior registration and appointment.

The governor noted that the goal of the state was to vaccinate 60 per cent of its population in good time.

“The Moderna vaccine is a two-dose vaccine, like the AstraZeneca vaccine that was deployed during the first phase of vaccination.

“When you receive your first dose you will be given a date on which to return for your second and final dose.

“Let me also reiterate that this Moderna vaccine that will be administered starting this week should not be mixed with the AstraZeneca vaccine.

“What this means is that only persons who have not been previously vaccinated at all should take the Moderna vaccine.

“If you have previously taken one dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, please exercise patience as we await delivery of a fresh allocation from the federal government,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu restated that COVID-19 vaccination was free in the country and advised citizens to seize the opportunity to inoculate themselves against the virus.

Sources: NAN

The post Vaccine: Lagos releases list of 183 vaccination centres appeared first on Frontpageng.

Abayomi disclosed this in his Facebook account @ProfAkinolaAbayomi while giving the state’s COVID-19 update for August 8.

He said that eight deaths recorded on Monday increased the state’s fatalities to 42.

The commissioner, however, did not give additional information on the sex and age of the deceased persons.

Abayomi said that 2,368 tests were conducted on the reported date, out of which 219 new COVID-19 infections were confirmed.

“The new infections increased the state’s total COVID-19 infections to 66,241,” he said.

According to the commissioner, 3,897 persons with active COVID-19 cases are currently receiving treatment under the state’s home-based care.

He said 57, 282 out of the infected persons had so far recovered in various communities, while 4,481 recovered in the state’s COVID-19 isolation centres.

Abayomi disclosed that currently, there were 152 patients receiving treatment in the state’s COVID-19 isolation centres.

The commissioner added that the total number of COVID-19 tests conducted in the state since the outbreak of the pandemic stood at 628, 120.

Earlier, Abayomi, had disclosed that positivity rate of the third wave of the pandemic had increased from one per cent recorded at the end of July to about 15 per cent as at August 4.

Source: NAN

The post Lagos records 42 COVID-19 related deaths in eight days appeared first on Frontpageng.

Abayomi made the assertion in Lagos at the Lions Clubs International, Multiple District 404, Nigeria, Free Diabetes Screening and Awareness Campaign.

The commissioner, represented by Dr. Olurotimi Agbolagorite, the Director, Disease Control, in the ministry, said that healthy lifestyle could prevent complications and death.

“Maintaining normal body weight for adults, engagement in regular aerobic, physical activity and reduction in alcohol consumption could prevent complications and death.

“Consequently, there is need to prevent and manage this disease appropriately as the two will reduce morbidity and mortality from the disease, thus protecting our future.

“This can be achieved through proper dissemination of information on the importance of healthy living, the need for regular exercises, as well as regular medical examinations.

“There is also need for pregnant women to register for early ante-natal care, as this would enhance early detection of diabetes, preventing complications in both mother and unborn child.

“Similarly, health workers should undergo refresher training to inform on the new trends in the management of the disease,’’ he said.

The commissioner said that the state government under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, delighted in the wellbeing of its citizenry.

He said that that informed the conduct of free health screening for non-communicable diseases, as well as equipping state health facility to perform screening on clients.

Commenting, Idowu Anobili, Multiple Council Chairperson elect, said that the diabetes screening was a project of Lions International Foundation, LCIF.

Anobili said that the project was aimed at carrying out large scale humanitarian service to reduce the prevalence of diabetes.

“Today, we have done the flag off in Lagos, which will also be carried out in other parts of the state across 20 local government areas,’’ he said.

In her remarks, Dr. Funke Adebajo, past District Governor and Project Chairperson, Diabetes Awareness Campaign, said that the club was focusing on different states in central and southern parts of Nigeria.

Adebajo said Lagos happened to be the first state, adding that diabetes happened to be one disease that people did not know much about.

She said that the disease was such that don’t show signs at the initial stage, hence its awareness was very low.

Adebajo said what made it worse was that an average Nigerian did not go for regular medical checkup.

“From statistics, 65 per cent of patients that get to the hospital will require treatment.

“Also, 10 per cent of urban Nigerians are diabetic and eight per cent of the total population of Nigerians suffer from diabetes,’’ Adebajo said.

Also, Abiodun Adediji, the Project Grant Administrator and Chairperson Steering Committee, Diabetes Screening, said that the programme was for people who don’t know they were diabetic.

Adediji said that 250 people would be screened and tested during the exercise.

Source: NAN

The post How to prevent diabetes –Prof Akin Abayomi, Lagos health commissioner appeared first on Frontpageng.

Abayomi made this known through his verified Twitter account @ProfAkinAbayomi, on Friday while giving the state’s COVID-19 update for February 10.

According to him, from December 2020, there was an increase in bed occupancy at the state’s COVID-19 public and private isolation and treatment centres.

He, however, said from the beginning of February there had been a decline in bed occupancy rate at both private and public COVID-19 Lagos Care Centres.

“Bed occupancy rate has dropped further to 46 per cent from 50 per cent in the last two days,” he said.

Abayomi added that the state recorded 236 new COVID-19 infections on the reported date, increasing the state’s confirmed COVID-19 infections to 52,510.

The commissioner said the total of COVID-19 tests conducted in the state since the inception of the pandemic stood at 323,825.

According to him, 3,589 COVID-19 patients were successfully treated and recovered and were discharged from the state’s care centres.

He said 42,950 COVID-19 recoveries were recorded in communities while cases currently under isolation were 161, and active cases under home based care stood at 5,481.

Abayomi, however, said the state recorded two new COVID-19 related fatalities, increasing the total deaths to 329.

Earlier, Abayomi said as the government was striving to contain the spread of the virus, residents should play their part by using their facemasks, washing of hands, and adhering to social distancing guidelines.

He advised that as long as breathing was not compromised, residents could double-mask to protect the person beside them, and reduce their exposure to aerosol.

Abayomi, however, said the N95 mask was suitable for protecting medical professionals.

Source: NAN

The post Bed occupancy level in Lagos COVID-19 care centres reduces to 46% appeared first on Frontpageng.

The Governor, on Thursday afternoon, cheerfully walked out after 14 days in self-isolation, expressing his gratitude to all citizens for their prayers and wishes throughout the period of his public absence.

Sanwo-Olu shared the experience of his personal battle against the dreaded virus at a briefing held at the State House, Marina.

He said: “COVID-19 is real”, apparently cautioning those still in doubt of the outbreak of the pandemic.

The governor, on December 11, went into self-isolation after an exposure to an infected aide.

His test result came back positive, the day after.

Sanwo-Olu, however, said he was fortunate to have had a relatively moderate experience in the course of his infection, but added that he experienced most of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, including cough, fatigue and loss of smell.

The governor expressed concern about the new surge in the rate of infection, disclosing that Lagos was now recording 18 per cent in positive results from daily testing.

He appealed to the residents to join in the effort to tame the virus by strictly adhering to the public health guidelines issued by the state government.

The governor said the second wave of the virus spread was proving to be more ambitious and dangerous than the first period of outbreak, urging the people to protect themselves and loved ones from the harshness of the virus.

He said: “Fellow Lagosians, let me sound this note of warning again, as I have done from the onset of this pandemic, COVID-19 is real. It is here with us, and it is not a respecter of anyone, or of social class, religious belief, or partisan affiliation. Not only is the virus here with us, this second wave we are currently seeing is proving to be more ambitious than the first wave.

“We are seeing infection figures that are surpassing what we saw at the peak of the first wave, and, just like then, Lagos remains the epicentre. As a densely-populated city, and a centre of international trade and commerce, this is not surprising in any way. But, it is also the reason we need to exercise an abundance of caution in this period.”

The governor stressed that the state government was not resting on its oars to halt the second wave of the pandemic, disclosing that the state had started to raise the capacity of its isolation centres and General Hospitals by installing Oxygen Kiosks, which are needed for treatment of COVID-19 patients with compromised respiratory tracts.

Sanwo-Olu said six Oxygen Kiosks out of the ten proposed in the first phase would be unveiled next week.

The governor restated that the emergency required to tame the second wave of the virus would not permit public gatherings and crowding, especially in Yuletide when religious centres would be holding services and vigils.

He directed worship to suspended all night services, including vigils and crossover events, noting that the federal government-imposed curfew between midnight and 4am would be enforced.

He said: “All over the world, Christmas period is associated with gathering, merriment and travelling, which all, sadly, contribute to the spread of the virus. We must now seek to minimise as much of these activities as we can, at this time. Let this Christmas be a period of sober reflection.

“The quicker we are able to tame this raging virus, through responsible behaviour, the higher the likelihood that we will enjoy a 2021 that is not as restrictive and challenging as 2020. By acting responsibly, we are not doing only ourselves a favour, we are doing other people a favour as well, especially those among us who are elderly or medically vulnerable.”

As part of the measures to curtail COVID-19 spread, Sanwo-Olu strongly advised residents to cancel all non-essential travels, regardless of destinations.

The governor directed all in-bound international passengers arriving into the country through Lagos must subject themselves to COVID-19 test on seventh day of their arrival.

All business and social establishments in Lagos, the governor ordered, must strictly enforce “No Mask, No Entry” policy.

Sanwo-Olu said there was no justification for socialising in the period of public health crisis without exercising caution, warning those who are bent on flouting the state’s regulations that the government would bring the weight of the laws on them.

The governor thanked frontline workers and medical personnel who attended to him during his period of isolation, saying: “I received very dedicated and competent care from the Lagos State COVID-19 Treatment Team, and I am extremely proud of the work they do.”

The post COVID-19:  Sanwo-Olu recovers, shares experience appeared first on Frontpageng.