The Foreign Ministry which made the announcement in Beijing, said “all types of visas for foreigners will be issued again” as from Wednesday.

China reopened its borders at the beginning of January primarily for business travellers and family visits.

Now tourists can also travel regularly to the country again, while visa-free entry to some regions is also restored.

Long-term visas issued before the border closure on March 28, 2020, can also be used again, according to the statement.

Source: dpa/NAN

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Kachikwu gave this warning in a statement to disclose that he had tested positive for coronavirus.

He said that he was isolating and had cancelled all public events till he received a negative report.

He called on Nigerians not to take coronavirus for granted as infection rates had risen rapidly all over the world in the last few weeks.

“Nigerians must not let their guard down even though the government has relaxed COVID rules. Our public health system can’t cope with the fallout of huge infection rates with attendant symptoms especially at a time when our health care professionals are leaving the country in droves.

“We must increase testing and take all necessary precautions not to spread the virus. We must not allow political rallies to become COVID spreaders and reverse the gains made in combating the virus. We will survive the Corona Virus if we all remain vigilant.”

Source: NAN

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It stated on its website on Wednesday that 22 of the cases were recorded in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT; 10 were recorded in Lagos State; two were recorded in Delta, while one was recorded in Plateau.

The cases were recorded between December 24 and December 30, 2022, it added.

The new cases increased Nigeria’s total infection to 266,450 and 3,155 deaths since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2019.

The NCDC stated that 3,451 people were currently down with the virus, while 259,841 people had been treated and discharged nationwide.

It called on Nigerians to disinfect frequently touched surfaces regularly to prevent the spread of the virus and other infectious diseases.

It stressed that vaccines were one of the best tools to combat the virus and encouraged Nigerians to get vaccinated.

Source: NAN

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Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, Director-General, NCDC, said this on his official Twitter handle while addressing Nigerians who raised concern over the rising COVID-19 cases in China, the UK, U.S.A and other countries.

He said that COVID-19 had and continued to follow a different course (epidemiology) in Nigeria and most of African nations.

“Other omicron progeny that was associated with increases in cases, admissions and deaths elsewhere did not cause the same in Nigeria as confirmed by our genomics surveillance.

“Our population is significantly protected from a combination of natural infection and vaccination,” he explained.

Adetifa said that the COVID-19 Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) met on December 31, 2022, noting that going forward, they would continue to review the ongoing COVID-19 situation over the coming week.

“At the next review and if deemed necessary, a range of actions, not limited to enhanced surveillance of travellers at airports, may be implemented,” he said.

The NCDC boss said that the agency followed global COVID-19 epidemiology, including genomics data, as part of the ongoing pandemic response.

Adetifa said that the NCDC COVID-19 EOC continued to function at level two alertness – including weekly risk assessments to inform the need for action.

“Our COVID-19 EOC is tracking COVID-19 trends in China, the US, UK, South Africa, India and other destinations with high volume traffic to and from Nigeria,” he said.

The NCDC boss said that the COVID-19 resurgence in China was not surprising, given their recent transition from a zero COVID-19 strategy.

He said that that was against a backdrop of a population that neither had high levels of natural immunity nor high levels of coverage with vaccines with the greatest impact against severe disease, hospitalisation, and death.

“Cases, admissions and deaths in England and the US have increased significantly. Government agency data show 28.8 per cent, 36.3 per cent and 1.6 per cent increases in cases, admissions and deaths as of Dec. 22, 2022, compared to the previous period.

“The Centre for Disease Control reports 57.0 per cent, 23.2 per cent and 66.0 per cent increases in cases, admissions and deaths as of December 22, 2022, compared to November 20, 2022.

“The National Department of Health in South Africa data shows fewer admissions in December 2023 vs November 2022 (as of 21/12/22),” he explained.

Adetifa said that before the current uptick in cases seen in China, the US, the UK and elsewhere, genomic surveillance continued to show the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant and its lineage continued to predominate in infections worldwide.

“As of Dec. 3, 2022, BQ.1.1, BQ.1, BA.5 and BF.7 were responsible for 85.1 per cent of cases in the US and XBB.1.5 made up 1.3 per cent. For England, BA.5 (17.1%), BA.2.75 (16.6%) and BQ.1 (59.6%) were dominant (up to 27/12/22). In South Africa, BA.5 and sub-lineages dominated in Sept-Nov 2022…

“With BQ.1 increasing from Nov to Dec. 2022 and XBB detected at very low levels from Oct. 2023. On Dec 31, the CDC projections were that XBB.1.5 will make up 40.5 per cent of COVID-19 cases. In England, XBB.1.5 went up quickly from Nov 2022 to about 1.9 per cent of cases as of Dec. 2022,” he explained.

He said that the new omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 was a source of worry as it might spread faster than older omicron sublineages.

“For example, XBB or BQ cause increases in hospitalisation when it becomes dominant. BF.7 (BA.5.2.1.7) is considered responsible for the surge in China but does not appear to be increasing elsewhere. BF.7 is also thought to be highly transmissible and sufficiently immune evading.

“In addition, the ‘poor immune status’ of the Chinese population now exposed to high levels of transmission of a rapidly mutating virus may favour the rapid emergence of new variants of concern,” he explained.

According to him, in Nigeria, the NCDC continued with genomic surveillance. The omicron variant was first detected in December 2021 and had since become the dominant strain.

He said that BQ.1/BQ.1.1 and related sublineages were first seen in Nigeria in July 2022 and BQ.1 became dominant in August 2022.

“BQ.1.1 took over in Sept. 2022 and persisted since then. None of these was associated with any increases in case numbers, admissions or deaths. We have not detected BF.7 or XBB.1.5 in the country yet (sequencing updates for Dec. 2022 are in progress),” he said.

He said that the Nigerian COVID-19 response continued to be executed via four pillars – continued surveillance, genomics surveillance, capacity for surge testing and vaccination.

He said that regardless of SARS-CoV-2 variants in different parts of the world, there continued to be an excess of cases of severe disease, admissions and deaths among the under or unvaccinated and those with established risk factors – old age, cardiovascular and endocrine co-morbidity, immune suppressive states (disease and/or treatments), and so on.

“We advise Nigerians to make use of every opportunity the Federal Government has provided via the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to get vaccinated, that is receive your primary vaccination which can be two or a single vaccine dose. If you have received two vaccine doses already, go get your booster.

“If you have received one booster dose already, please go get your second booster dose. If you belong to any of the high-risk categories, including old age, kindly ensure you adhere to recommended public health safety measures – mask use, hand hygiene and avoiding crowded spaces,” he advised.

READ ALSO: COVID-19 is not over, WHO warns

China is experiencing a nationwide outbreak of the coronavirus after abruptly easing restrictions that were in place for much of the pandemic.

Other countries, including the US, UK, India, Japan and several European nations have announced tougher measures on travellers from China amid concerns over a lack of data on infections in China and fears of the possibility that new variants may emerge.

Meanwhile, some Nigerians alongside human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, called on the Federal Government to check passengers from China for their COVID-19 status while some Public Health experts have said that the COVID-19 pandemic showed Nigerians that future health systems for the country must be preventative.

They said the country needed investment in early-warning systems, disease prevention, and primary healthcare, as well as community education.

Source: NAN

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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

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“He is fully vaccinated and twice boosted and experiencing very mild symptoms.

“He has begun taking Paxlovid,” the statement disclosed.

In line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, guidelines, Biden will isolate at the White House and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time, the statement said.

“He has been in contact with members of the White House staff by phone this morning, and will participate in his planned meetings at the White House this morning via phone and Zoom from the residence.”

The White House will provide a daily update on the president’s status as he continues to carry out the full duties of the office while in isolation, according to the statement.

“In line with standard protocol for any positive case at the White House, the White House medical unit will inform all close contacts of the president during the day today, including any members of Congress and any members of the press who interacted with the president during yesterday’s travel.”

The president’s last previous test for COVID-19 was on Tuesday, when he had a negative test result.

The news comes a day after Biden visited the state of Massachusetts following a tour of the Middle East.

There have been several infections among Biden’s administration and entourage recently, including those who are vaccinated against the virus.

Cases have also risen among politicians in Washington in recent months.

More than 60 people tested positive for the virus following an evening event in April, according to media reports, citing the organisers.

Those infected included Attorney General Merrick Garland, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, several members of Congress, Vice President Kamala Harris’ communications director and other White House staff.

Harris would have to step in if Biden were unable to carry out his duties at any time due to the infection.

Harris tested positive for the virus in April.

Biden is not the first in the Oval Office to be diagnosed with the virus.

His predecessor Donald Trump caught the virus in 2020, less than five weeks before the presidential election won by Biden.

At the time, no vaccines were available and Trump had to be hospitalised.

Other world leaders have also caught the virus including former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, and Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Xavier Bettel.

Source: dpa/NAN

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The NCDC disclosed this via its official website on Saturday afternoon that the country’s commercial capital city, Lagos State, is driving the nation’s latest COVID-19 surge.

Lagos State, the epicentre of the virus, accounted for more than 90 per cent of the new infections with 750 cases.

The data showed that the new cases had raised Nigeria’s infection toll to 258,517, while the fatality toll stood  at 3, 144.

The public health agency stated that about 4,206 people were still down with the virus while a total of 250,388 people were successfully treated and discharged so far in the country since the outbreak in February 2020.

Apart from Lagos State, a further breakdown of the latest cases showed that the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, recorded 45 cases, followed by Rivers with 40 infections.

Delta reported 11 cases, followed by Akwa Ibom-11 Kano-five, Nasarawa-four and Plateau one.

The agency said that three states: Abia, Kaduna, and Sokoto reported no cases within the time frame.

The NCDC said it was based on the prevailing risk from the virus and the need for religious organisations, community leaders, and Nigerians, in general, to take necessary precautions during the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

It added that the number of weekly COVID-19 cases had increased globally for the third consecutive week.

The agency said that COVID-19 might cause severe complications in the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions.

“Take extra precautions to stay safe and avoid crowded places. Maintain distance from anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness, wash your hands regularly,” it advised.

The public health agency said that it was committed to preserving the health of the citizens.

“We serve even as we battle concurrent public health threats – COVID-19, monkeypox, Cholera, etc. Our interest is not in delivering bad news but in equipping citizens with the information they need to stay safe.

“We are being reminded that COVID-19 has not gone anywhere. I understand the fatigue and urge to return to our normal lives. We can do this whilst staying safe as we continue to celebrate responsibly and act to prevent a fifth COVID-19 wave,” it said.

The much-awaited summer lull in coronavirus cases doesn’t appear to be happening as COVID-19 infections continue to increase in much of the United States.

An earlier rise in cases this year was driven by the BA.2 Omicron subvariant now, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that two other subvariant BA.4 and BA.5, constituted more than 70 per cent of new infections in the country.

These sub-variants might partially escape the immunity produced by the vaccine and by prior infection, though vaccination still likely protected against severe illness.

Meanwhile, The National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, said the good news was  that the vaccines and boosters continued to provide excellent protection against severe diseases.

Nigeria was also experiencing an uptick in transmission, as the positivity rate had increased steadily from July 2 to 8.

The NCDC did not state which subvariants accounted for the majority of the country’s COVID-19 infections.

Source: NAN

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Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said this on Wednesday during an online COVID-19 media briefing.

Ghebreyesus said that four out of six of the WHO sub-regions saw cases increasing in the last week.

“In Europe and America, BA.4 and BA.5 are driving waves.

“In countries like India, a new sub lineage of BA.2.75 has also been detected, which we’re following,’’ he said.

According to him, compounding the challenge are a number of factors.

Ghebreyesus said the first was that testing had reduced dramatically in many countries.

He said it had obscured the true picture of an evolving virus and the real burden of COVID-19 disease globally.

The director said it also meant that treatments were not given early enough to prevent serious illness and or death.

“Second, new treatments, especially promising new oral antivirals, are still not reaching low and low-middle income countries, depriving whole populations that need them.

“Third, as the virus evolves, vaccines protection while still really effective at preventing serious disease and death does wane.

“Decreasing immunity underscores the importance of boosters, especially for the most at-risk.

“Fourth, each wave of the virus leaves more people with long-COVID or post-COVID condition,’’ he said.

According to Ghebreyesus, it obviously impacts individuals and their families but it also puts an extra burden on health systems, the wider economy and society-at-large.

He said the challenges required action at a global, national and local level.

He said that governments, scientists, manufacturers, WHO and citizens themselves all had their part to play

According to him, essential steps to take included vaccination and boosting those at most risk.

Ghebreyesus said such included older people, people with chronic illnesses, the immunocompromised and health workers and then build up the wall of immunity throughout the population.

He said the second was to make new oral antivirals and other treatments available to all.

The director said that working with Global Fund and UNICEF, WHO developed an allocation mechanism to support countries as antivirals become available.

“So far, 20 countries have accepted allocations of Molnupiravir, which has moved into distribution.

“For Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir, – or Paxlovid – 43 countries have expressed interest.

“However, our organisations are still trying to finalise with Pfizer the appropriate terms and conditions for low- and middle-income countries,’’ he said

According to him, this is delaying access and some countries may choose to wait for a generic version of the antiviral, probably available only early 2023 and this will cost lives.

“I call on Pfizer to work closely with health agencies and countries to ensure its new oral antiviral is available quickly and effectively,’’ he said.

Ghebreyesus said the third was especially if one was in a place where cases were on the rise: use tried and tested public health measures to mitigate risk.

“For example, if you’re in a crowded place or inside and there’s poor ventilation, put on a mask. And if you’re sick, and you can, stay home.”

The fourth, he said, was crucial to accelerate research and development into next generation vaccines, tests and treatments.

“WHO is working with scientists and researchers around the world to make this happen.

“Through the Solidarity Trials, WHO can ensure maximum efficiency of clinical trials so that new tools are developed quicker.

“We don’t know how the next variant will be like.

“This requires that we apply the tools we have now and that we develop the next generation of counter measures quickly,’’ he said.

The WHO boss said the fifth was to continue to work to strengthen the global health architecture for health emergency and response at all levels.

According to him, the organisation welcomes the news about the creation of the financial intermediary fund (FIF), which will focus on strengthening pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response capacities.

He said the organisation would operate at a national, regional, and global level, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries.

“WHO and the World Bank will take the design forward with the founding donors and broader stakeholders.

“We hope the fund will expand and that this will become an important component of a comprehensive financing solution for health emergencies.

“Also, it is important that the pandemic accord process continues at pace.

“This remains a generational opportunity to improve how countries prepare for and respond to new pathogens,’’ he said.

On monkeypox, the boss said the organisation had continued to be concerned by the scale and spread of the virus.

According to him, across the world, there had been more than 6000 cases recorded in 58 countries.

“Testing remains a challenge and it’s highly probable that there are a significant number of cases not being picked up.

“Europe is the current epicentre of the outbreak, recording more than 80 per cent of cases globally.

“In Africa, cases are appearing in countries not previously affected and record numbers are being recorded in places which have previous experience with monkeypox.”

He said his teams were following the data closely as he planned to reconvene the emergency committee so they are updated on the current epidemiology and evolution of the outbreak, and implementation of counter measures.

“I will bring them together during the week of 18 July or sooner if needed.

“WHO is working with countries and vaccine manufacturers to coordinate the sharing of vaccine, which are currently scarce and need to be accessible to the most at risk people.

“WHO is also working closely with civil society and LGBTIQ+ community, especially to break the stigma around the virus and spread information so people can protect themselves,’’ Ghebreyesus said.

“I want to particularly commend those that are sharing videos online via social media channels talking about their symptoms and experiences with monkeypox.

“This is a positive way to break down the stigma about a virus that can affect anyone,” the boss said.

Ghebreyesus said that in Syria, the humanitarian needs are at their highest level since the war started 11 years ago.

According to him, WHO works across the country to provide lifesaving health support.

“In the northwest of the country, some 4.4 million people, including more than 3.5 million women and children, are in need of humanitarian assistance.

“They depend on the cross-border access for their healthcare, their vaccines and medicines.

“We hope the Security Council will continue to find agreement to preserve the health and welfare of this highly vulnerable population,’’ he said.

Source: NAN

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WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, disclosed this on Wednesday at the agency’s headquarters in Geneva, noting that the variants amounting to a 20 per cent spike overall.

According to Ghebreyesus, the number of deaths, monitored by WHO across three of the six world regions had risen.

He stressed in his weekly briefing to journalists that the global figure overall remained “relatively stable”, but nobody should be under any illusion, that the coronavirus is on the way out.

“This pandemic is changing but it’s not over. We have made progress but it’s not over.

“Only with concerted action by governments, international agencies and the private sector can we solve the converging challenges,” said the WHO chief.

He warned that “our ability to track the virus is under threat as reporting and genomic sequences were declining.”

The optimistic mid-year deadline for all countries to vaccinate at least 70 per cent of their populations is looking unlikely, with the average rate in low-income countries, standing at 13 per cent.

On the bright side, in the past 18 months, more than 12 billion vaccines have been distributed around the world, and 75 per cent of the world’s health workers and over-60s are now vaccinated.

Ghebreyesus said the influential Lancet medical journal, estimated that 20 million lives had been saved because of vaccines.

In 2021, it was the hoarding of vaccines by rich and manufacturing countries which proved to be the major barrier to access.

The WHO chief described the development as the wavering “political commitment to getting vaccines out to people – and challenges of disinformation”, which are thwarting the pace of inoculations at the national level.

He called for all at-risk groups, to be vaccinated and boosted, as soon as possible.

“For the general population, it also makes sense to keep strengthening that wall of immunity, which helps lessen the severity of the disease and lowers the risk of long- or post-COVID condition.”

He said continuing ‘mild’ cases were disruptive and damaging, keeping children out of school and adults from their jobs, “which causes further economic and supply chain disruption.”

He said the goal of 70 per cent coverage was still desirable, based on the principle that “if we don’t share vaccines equitably,” “then we undercut the philosophy that all lives have equal.”

Ghebreyesus said that it was critical for funding to be secured for second generation vaccines as well as testing and treatments.

“The ideal solution would be the development of a pan-coronavirus vaccine that covers all the variants so far and potentially future ones.

“This is feasible, WHO continues to convene scientists and researchers and there has been a lot of research into this virus and understanding immunology overall,” the WHO chief declared.

He said through the agency’s Solidarity Trials, global trials of new vaccines could take place to rapidly establish their safety and efficacy.

“Now is the time,” he concluded, “for government health departments to integrate tests and anti-virals into clinical care, so that people that are sick can be treated quickly.”

According to him, “With new variants of concern likely – genomic sequencing remains critical, I also call for accelerated efforts and incentives to be developed around the moonshot of developing a pan-coronavirus vaccine.”

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Mr Boss Mustapha, the chairman of the committee and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, said on Wednesday in a statement in Abuja that the decision followed reduced risk of importation of new variants.

He said the decision was also due to availability of vaccines and increasing number of people vaccinated in Nigeria and globally.

Mustapha said the social restriction recommendations were revised in line with the three established thematic areas – movement, industry and labour, as well as community activities.

The SGF stated that the safety protocols provide a baseline from which state governments could further build on to strengthen their responses based on their local circumstances.

“States should continue to consider them as the minimum guidelines required to ensure acceptable level of epidemic control nationwide,” he stated.

He said there were no more formal restrictions on movement within the country as the nationwide curfew imposed from midnight to 4 a.m. had been lifted.

He added that the advisory limiting Nigerians to essential travels had been lifted, although citizens need to refrain from non-essential movements and comply with non-pharmaceutical guidelines such as the mandatory use of facemask/facial coverings in public, given the risks involved.

“Use of face mask to be mandatory for indoor activities but at individual’s discretion during outdoor activities.

“Those aged 60 and above or with co-morbidities such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease are advised to uphold the use of universal precaution which includes the use of face mask, avoid crowd and frequent use of hand sanitisers,” he added.

According to him, no limitation on air travels – both domestic and international flights; but both international and domestic travellers must abide by existing protocols, including the use of face mask while onboard and taking personal precaution measures.

He stated that all arriving international passengers must register with the Nigeria International Travel Portal (https://nitp.ncdc.gov.ng) and abide by the travel guidelines.

“No limitations on inter or intra-state travel; all vendors and service providers must abide by stated stipulations from Federal Ministry of Transportation; all passengers and commuters must wear face masks once on board, as well as continue to observe personal precautionary measures.”

In the area of industry and labour, the SGF recommended virtual meetings by offices for the private sector and advised against large meetings and asked operators to decongest offices and ensure they were well-ventilated.

According to him, normal work by all staff should resume in all offices, while encouraging measures to reduce congestion such as working from home or on-and-off days.

The chairman suggested mandatory use of face masks in closed offices and recommended safety protocols for all persons and discretionary use of appropriate measures.

He, however, asked operators to encourage the use of approved Ag-Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDT) as recommended in the Guidance for the Use of Approved COVID-19 Ag-RDTs in Nigeria.

Source: NAN

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