WHO had announced the new COVID-19 variant, NB.1.8.1, currently spreading across parts of the world and causing concern among global health authorities.

It confirmed that the variant was responsible for a growing number of infections globally, prompting it to designate the strain as a “variant under monitoring” due to its increasing prevalence and potential to evade immunity from previous infections or vaccination.

The variant had quickly gained ground, with WHO data showing that it accounted for 10.7 per cent of globally sequenced COVID-19 cases between April 21 and 27, a significant rise from 2.5 per cent just one month earlier.

The majority of these new cases were reported in the Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and Western Pacific regions.

In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, also confirmed a small number of NB.1.8.1 cases, especially among travellers arriving at airports in California, Virginia, Washington, and New York.

While the variant is spreading easily, current evidence suggests that it does not cause more severe illness compared to earlier strains.

Although there have been no reported cases yet in Nigeria, experts caution that the risk of importation remains high due to international travel.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, had said that it was closely monitoring the situation and working with international health bodies to track any possible entry of the variant into the country.

The symptoms of NB.1.8.1 are similar to previous COVID-19 variants and may include sore throat, cough, fever, and fatigue.

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Though it spreads efficiently, it is not currently associated with increased severity or death.

Experts have however warned that its ability to partially evade immunity means that individuals who have had COVID-19 in the past or received vaccination may still be vulnerable to reinfection.

They also said that existing COVID-19 vaccines still provided protection, particularly against severe illness and hospitalisation.

Vaccine manufacturers such as Pfizer and Moderna are said to be developing updated boosters that may offer additional protection against newer subvariants like NB.1.8.1 and its close relative, LP.8.1.

Health experts have also advised Nigerians to take proactive steps to protect themselves against the NB.1.8.1 variant.

They urged eligible individuals to get vaccinated or receive booster doses to strengthen their immunity.

Nigerians are also encouraged to maintain preventive measures, such as washing hands regularly, wearing face masks in crowded or poorly ventilated areas, and staying home when feeling unwell.

In addition, experts recommend that the public stay informed by following updates from the NCDC, WHO, and other reliable sources of health information.

NAN recalls that NB.1.8.1 is a rapidly spreading COVID-19 variant that has gained global attention.

While it does not appear to cause more serious illness, its ability to spread quickly and partially bypass immunity is a concern.

Nigerians are urged to remain vigilant, take preventive steps, and ensure their vaccinations are up to date to protect themselves and their communities.

Source: NAN

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Briefing reporters in Geneva, WHO Director General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, said the “huge spike” was being driven by the Omicron variant, which is rapidly replacing Delta in almost all countries.

In spite of the number of cases, the weekly reported deaths have “remained stable” since October last year, he added, at an average of 48,000.

According to him, the number of patients being hospitalised is also increasing in most countries, but it is not at the level seen in previous waves.

He told reporters that was possibly due to the reduced severity of Omicron, and widespread immunity from vaccination or previous infection.

For the WHO chief, while Omicron causes less severe disease than Delta, it remains a dangerous virus, particularly for those who are unvaccinated.

“Almost 50 thousand deaths a week is 50 thousand deaths too many,” Ghebreyesus said. “Learning to live with this virus does not mean we can, or should, accept this number of deaths.”

For him, the world cannot “allow this virus a free ride” when so many people around the world remain unvaccinated.

In Africa, for example, more than 85 per cent of people are yet to receive a single dose of vaccine.

“We cannot end the acute phase of the pandemic unless we close this gap,” he said.

The UN health agency chief then listed some progress towards reaching the target of vaccinating 70 per cent of the population of every country by the middle of this year.

In December, COVAX shipped more than double the number of doses it distributed in November.

In the coming days, the initiative should ship its one billionth vaccine dose.

Some of the supply constraints from 2021 are also starting to ease, he said, but there’s still a long way to go.

So far, 90 countries have still not reached the 40 per cent target, and 36 of those countries have vaccinated less than 10 per cent of their populations.

Ghebreyesus also highlighted an interim statement from the WHO Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition, released on Tuesday, stressing that further vaccines are needed that have a greater impact on preventing infection.

Until such vaccines are developed, the experts explained, the composition of current vaccines may need to be updated.

The Group also said that a vaccination strategy based on repeated booster doses is “unlikely to be sustainable.”

According to him, the overwhelming majority of people admitted to hospitals around the world are unvaccinated.

At the same time, while the immunisations remain very effective at preventing severe disease and death, they do not fully prevent transmission.

“More transmission means more hospitalisations, more deaths, more people off work, including teachers and health workers, and more risk of another variant emerging that is even more transmissible and more deadly than Omicron,” he said.

The sheer number of cases also means more pressure on already overburdened and exhausted health workers.

A study published in 2021 showed that more than one in four health workers have experienced mental health issues during the pandemic.

Data from several countries also show that many have considered leaving or have left their jobs.

On Tuesday, WHO hosted a global webinar, attended by clinicians from around the world, on the clinical management of the virus during pregnancy, childbirth and the early postnatal period.

As stated earlier in the pandemic, pregnant women are not at higher risk of contracting COVID-19, but if they are infected, they are at higher risk for severe disease.

“That’s why it’s vital that pregnant women in all countries have access to vaccines to protect their own lives, and those of their babies,” he said.

The agency chief also called for pregnant women to be included in clinical trials for new treatments and vaccines.

He also stressed that, fortunately, mother to baby transmission in utero or during birth is very rare, and no active virus has been identified in breast milk.

Source: NAN

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Tuesday’s figure was 755 higher than the 1,368 infections recorded on Monday.

It was the first time Nigeria was experiencing a ballooning of its daily difference in new infections.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, declared on Wednesday that Lagos State, the country’s epicentre of the infection, led the new infections table on Tuesday with 1,552 cases.

It was followed by the FCT with 197 cases and Edo with 155 infections.

Rivers recorded 81 cases; Delta (44); Plateau (33); Kwara (30); Kano State (16); Enugu State (12); Gombe State (2) and Bauchi State (1).

The NCDC stated that with the latest figure, number of active COVID-19 cases in Nigeria stood at 12,547.

This shows an increase of 3,039 when compared with the 9,508 active cases previously.

It stated also that four new COVID-19 deaths were recorded on Tuesday taking the death toll to 2,989, from 2,985.

Wednesday’s figure took Nigeria’s infection level to 227,378.

There had been 211,761 recoveries and 2,989 COVID-19 fatalities.

The NCDC stated that Nigeria had conducted 3,751,696 sample tests since the outbreak.

Source: NAN

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The centre disclosed this via its official website on Tuesday morning.

It stated that COVID-19 cases increased in Lagos on Monday, with 844 reported cases out of the national total of 1,368 cases.

Lagos State, the nation’s epicenter of the virus, now has a cumulative 84,410 cases, with 3,500 active cases.

The NCDC noted that the FCT  recorded the second highest number of  cases at 209 to make its confirmed cases to 25,070 till date.

It listed Oyo with 58 cases, Abia-51, Ondo-39, Ogun-30, Kaduna-26, Delta-20, Akwa Ibom-17, Osun-15, and Ekiti-12.

Anambra and Zamfara recorded seven cases each, while Cross River, Kano, Kwara, and Rivers recorded six each, Bauchi recorded five, Gombe, three, and Plateau, one.

The centre noted that since the outbreak of the virus in the country on Febryary 27, 2020, a total of 2,985 people had lost their lives, while 211,660 have recovered and discharged.

It stated that the nation’s active cases now stood at 9,508 as of Monday.

The NCDC said that the country had conducted a total of 3,751,696 sample tests since the virus was announced in 2020.

It added that a multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre, EOC, activated at Level 2, continues to coordinate the national response activities.

Source: NAN

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Lagos, the smallest state in Nigeria has a land mass of 1,171.28 square kilometres and an estimated population of between 17.5 million and 21 million as of 2020.

About 6,871 people live in every square kilometre of Lagos State according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, said on Saturday that out of the 1,584 new infections recorded on Friday, Lagos State, the nation’s epicentre recorded 906 cases.

This shows an increase of 307 infections when compared with the 599 cases the state recorded on Thursday.

The FCT and Rivers recorded 258 and 217 new infections, respectively on Friday while Edo and Oyo states recorded 85 cases and 50 cases respectively.

Ogun State recorded 16 cases; Ondo (14), Bayelsa (12), Osun (10), Bauchi (9) and Kano (7).

NCDC stated also that Friday’s 1,584 infections brought Nigeria’s tally to 222,655, with 211,373 persons treated and discharged.

Friday’s figure indicated an increase of 533 over Thursday’s 1,051 cases.

NCDC stated that it also recorded a COVID-19 death on Friday raising Nigeria’s mortality figure to the infection to 2,984.

It added that Nigeria had conducted 3,686,403 tests since the virus was announced on February 27, 2020.

Source: NAN

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WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said at a news briefing at WHO headquarters in Geneva that it would be a mistake to dismiss the COVID-19 strain as mild.

“Omicron is spreading at a rate we have not seen with any previous variant. We’re concerned that people are dismissing Omicron as mild.

“Surely, we have learned by now that we underestimate this virus at our peril.”

The director-general urged countries not to underestimate the new variant.

“Even if Omicron does cause less severe disease, the sheer number of cases could once again overwhelm unprepared health systems.

“I need to be very clear: vaccines alone will not get any country out of this crisis. Countries can – and must – prevent the spread of Omicron with measures that work today.”

Ghebreyesus warned that making choices about strategies to halt the pandemic, was the wrong approach: “It’s not vaccines instead of distancing. It’s not vaccines instead of ventilation or hand hygiene. Do it all. Do it consistently. Do it well.”

He said in the past 10 weeks, the international vaccine rollout initiative, COVAX, had shipped more vaccines than in the first nine months of the year combined, with most countries using vaccines as fast as they got them.

“A small group of countries are facing challenges rolling out vaccines and scaling up rapidly, and WHO and our partners are working closely with those countries to overcome bottlenecks.

“Although we expect further improvements in supply, there are no guarantees, and the hard-won gains we have made are fragile,” he said.

Ghebreyesus said: “evolving evidence suggests a small decline in the effectiveness of vaccines against severe disease and death.”

He noted that booster rollouts for all over-18s to fight Omicron in some countries had begun despite a lack of evidence that they would be effective.

“WHO is concerned that such programmes will repeat the vaccine hoarding we saw in 2021, and exacerbate inequity…Let me be very clear: WHO is not against boosters.

“We’re against inequity. Our main concern is to save lives, everywhere.”

WHO chief said that giving boosters to groups at low risk, simply endangers the lives of those facing higher risk, who have not yet got their primary doses, due to supply constraints.

On the other hand, giving additional doses to people at high risk can save more lives than giving primary doses to those at low risk, he noted.

“Together, we will save the most lives by making sure health workers, older people and other at-risk groups receive their primary doses of vaccines.

“In most countries, those being hospitalized and dying are those who have not been vaccinated. So, the priority must be to vaccinate the unvaccinated, even in countries with most access to vaccines,” the director-general said.

He said the priority in every country, for the sake of the global effort to halt the pandemic, “must be to protect the least protected, not the most protected.”

Some 41 countries have still not been able to vaccinate even 10 per cent of their populations, and 98 countries have not yet reached 40 per cent.

“If we end inequity, we end the pandemic. If we allow inequity to continue, we allow the pandemic to continue,” he emphasised.

Source: NAN

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The Nigerian government made the call on Monday during a press briefing in Abuja by its Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

The government argued that the inclusion of Nigeria on the red list by the United Kingdom over Omicron was unjust, unfair, punitive, indefensible, discriminatory and not driven by science.

His words: “As you are aware, Britain has put Nigeria on its red list and banned foreign travels from our country.

“This is as a result of the discovery of Covid-19 cases, Omicron variant, in Nigeria. Britain now joins other countries, including Canada, which have taken a similar action against Nigeria over Omicron.

“Let me say straight away that it’s up to the Presidential Steering Committee, PSC, to respond to this action by the British government and others, and I have no doubt that the Committee will respond appropriately.

“However, as the spokesman for the Federal Government, I can say, without mincing words, that the decision by the British government to put Nigeria on the red list, just because of less than two dozen cases of Omicron which, by the way, did not originate in Nigeria, is unjust, unfair, punitive, indefensible and discriminatory. The decision is also not driven by science.

“We sincerely hope the British government will immediately review the decision to put Nigeria on its red list and rescind it immediately. Nigeria has handled the Covid-19 pandemic with utmost responsibility and based on science, and has rightly earned global accolades for its efforts.

“Nigeria does not belong on any country’s red list.”

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Obaje, a former Vice President of Nigeria in Diaspora, Singapore, said this on Sunday in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN.

According to him, it was the second week of the “African Omicron” discovery, so far clinic data from across the globe had confirmed that Omicron variant of COVID-19 virus was less lethal than the Delta and other earlier variants.

Obaje said, “We must remember that the severe acute respiratory syndrome Covid virus (SARS-COV) of 2002 was eventually weakened to common flu by our innate immunities.

“The human immunity system is the most powerful and most sophisticated defence system that has sustained humanity for ages. Advances in science and technology are great, but they have their own limitations.

“We now have enough scientific capabilities to confirm in one more week, whether or not Omicron variant is less lethal than Delta variant. So far, many reports from across the globe indicate so.

“In event that Omicron is confirmed less lethal, scientifical expedient action thereafter will be for everyone to open gates, for Omicron to quickly spread and become dominant globally. Omicron will then become the new harmless COVID-19 virus.

“Such will be the best way to save humanity from further COVID-19 calamity; current negative media hype, panic and political measures are unscientific; we are most likely going to have “Merry Christmas with the African Omicron.”

Source: NAN

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The PSC chairman, Mr Boss Mustapha, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

Mustapha said that the revised protocol was aimed at further reducing the risk of importation and exportation of COVID-19, especially the variant of concern.

He assured Nigerians that it would continue to monitor global and specific country situations with a view to taking necessary measures to safeguard the health of Nigerians.

Mustapha, also Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, called on Nigerians to ensure they that they took full dose of COVID-19 vaccines and continue to observe compliance to public health measures.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, on Wednesday confirmed the first case of the Omicron variant in the country.

The new variant has sparked global concerns due to fears it may spread faster and be resistant to vaccines, following its discovery in South Africa.

Omicron was first detected in Europe in Belgium on November 27.

Other European countries, including Germany, Italy and the U.K., have confirmed cases.

Australia also reported cases on November 28.

The European Union on November 27, moved to ban travel from seven Southern African countries.

Other nations, including the U.S. and U.K., are adopting similar moves.

Israel late Saturday went further, imposing a two week travel band for all non-residents.

Similarly, the government of Canada has also stated that it discovered two cases of the variant from two passengers from Nigeria.

Source: NAN

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Onayale gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Friday in Ile-Ife.

He said that it was too early to determine whether the Omicron variant was resistant to the available Coronavirus vaccines or not.

The committee chairman said that the Omicron variant was more dangerous and killed faster than Delta variant.

Onayale urged all and sundry to observe the COVID-19 protocol of social distancing, regular handwashing, use of face mask and avoid crowded places, among others.

He also called on the governments to maintain the sensitisation programme on the pandemic to keep people abreast of the new variant.

Onayale, however, warned people against ‘get together parties’ during the Christmas and New Year periods, urging them to be more proactive in protecting themselves.

He urged Nigerians to cooperate with the federal government in ensuring total compliance with all the protocols and guidelines stipulated.

Onayale said that another lockdown would have adverse effect on the socio-economic life of Nigerians and the nation at large.

“Before we take any decision, let’s be sure of the risk we’ll face.

“The last time there was lockdown, airline workers and teachers, among others, could not earn any salary and the palliative didn’t circulate round.

“Now, there’s sufficient information to ban travelling.

“Let the airport officials be watchful and let those who are coming into the country take the COVID-19 test and if the airports do not have enough sequencing facilities, let them acquire them.

“Other countries are sufficient enough to take good care of their citizenry, but Nigeria is poor and cannot provide for 25 per cent; so, let all hands be on deck, government alone cannot do it,” he said.

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