5 Coronavirus Updates You Should Read Today

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Saturday, August 1, announced that 386 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed across the country.

A breakdown of the new cases across states is as follows; FCT-130, Lagos-65, Ondo-37, Osun-29, Plateau-23, Rivers-15, Enugu-14, Nasarawa-12, Bayelsa-11, Ebonyi-11, Ekiti-9, Oyo-8, Edo-8, Abia-6, Ogun-3, Katsina-3, Imo-1, Adamawa-1.

There are now 43,537 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country and 883 deaths has been recorded. 20,087 patients who recovered from the disease have been discharged.

A breakdown of cases by state can be found via https://t.co/zQrpNf5Q61#TakeResponsibility pic.twitter.com/FLqDGf21AU

— NCDC (@NCDCgov) August 1, 2020

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Lagos State to reopen worship centres August 7 and 9

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu says places of worship in the state will be reopened from August 7.

The governor disclosed this on Saturday during a briefing on COVID-19 at the State House in Marina. While mosques will be reopened next week Friday, the governor said churches will follow suit on Sunday, August 9.

According to him, religious leaders must make available hand sanitizer, thermometer guns, adding that the state government will ensure that social distancing is maintained.

Places of worship in Lagos will now be opened from Friday, August 7 for our Muslim worshippers and on Sunday, August 9 for our Christian worshippers. We will only be allowing 50 per cent of their capacity at either the church or the mosque. Churches that have Saturday worship day will also be allowed to start holding their Saturday worship.

He also said the state is winning the battle against the dreaded virus largely due to the increase in the number of tested samples. He said the last two weeks witnessed a decline in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.

He said:

We must, however, mention that we have seen a gradual decrease in the positivity rate in Lagos State over the last two weeks which combined with our increase in the testing numbers, points to a very encouraging picture of the outcome of our response strategy in the state. We will continue to fine-tune our strategy and our efforts to build on our successes and close all existing gaps if any.

While noting that the state government successfully tested 9,000 samples in the week ending July 26, the governor explained the figures represented a 50 per cent increase in the 6,000 tested samples in the preceding week. He said more testing of suspected COVID-19 cases has been made possible with the creation of additional laboratories in the state.

View this post on Instagram

I am happy to announce the progress we are making in our fight against Covid-19 and the current decline in positive cases. In view of this development, we have taken the decision to reopen places of worship effective from Friday August 7 for Muslim worshippers, and Sunday, August 9, for Christian worshippers with 50 per cent of their regular capacity. In the same vein, social clubs and recreational centers will also open from August 14, in strict compliance with safety protocols and registration with Lagos State Safety Commission. Clearance certificates to open are at this time being issued only to social clubs with registered trustees. Restaurants can open for in-dining services from August 14, on the condition that they maintain 50 per cent capacity and obtain safety compliance certificate through the LSSC registration portal. Public gatherings can now hold with a maximum of 50 persons for meetings, funerals and other social events. While we try to ensure that life gradually returns to normal, we implore residents to continue to use face masks in public spaces and adhere strictly to all the public health safety measures and guidelines. At this point, I have to emphasize how important and necessary it is for us to self-regulate. Everyone of us must take up the mantle of responsibility and ensure that we are self-regulating ourselves in our interest and in the interest of our loved ones.

A post shared by Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) on Aug 1, 2020 at 1:55pm PDT

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Ogun State issues guidelines for all returning students including the undergoing of COVID-19 tests

The Ogun State government has mandated all students in boarding houses to undergo Malaria and COVID-19 tests as that would make them admissible into their boarding houses.

In a statement released on Saturday, August 1, Ronke Soyombo, the Special Adviser to the governor on Primary and Secondary Education, said all boarding students must stay in school hostels only as private hostels would not be allowed to accommodate students in order to ensure effective monitoring.

Read the statement below:

As part of the frantic efforts of the State Government to ensure a safe learning academic atmosphere for both learners and teachers of all our public and private schools particularly amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and as instructed by NCDC, all Principals of schools (private and public) in Ogun State are hereby instructed to inform and update all SS3 learners on the following instructions;

1. That ALL the returning boarding students are to stay in the school hostels only

2. That parents are hereby advised that private hostels are exempted from accommodating students during this period to ensure strict compliance with NCDC directives.

3. That the Ogun State Ministry of Health has made provision for a COVID-19 and MALARIA TEST for all SS3 BOARDING students in Ogun State as part of the conditions for the re-opening of schools in the under listed Public Health Care facilities between Friday 31st July and Monday 3rd August, 2020

(a) Abeokuta : The 250 MTR, Okemosan, Abeokuta (A white edifice opposite the State Secretariat)

(b) Ado-Odo Ota : Ogun State General Hospital, Ota.

(c) Sagamu : Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu

4. That part of the strong condition of admittance to school for boarding students is the COVID-19 CERTIFICATE showing NEGATIVE

To this end, all Principals are therefore directed to immediately disseminate the above important information to all SS3 learners in the State and to ensure that the above instructions are strictly adhered to as sanctions will be meted out to any defaulting school.

E – signed
Mrs Ronke Soyombo
S A on Primary and Secondary Education

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The Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi disclosed that he has recovered from COVID-19.

The Governor, who went on isolation June 22 after testing positive for the virus, expressed gratitude for the prayers and good wishes received from well-wishers while he was in isolation.

Announcing his recovery on Twitter, the governor wrote

After 11 days in isolation, I received news that my CoviD 19 repeat test came back negative. My sincere gratitude goes to God Almighty, my family, my medical team and all well wishers for the prayers and solidarity. We must continue to do all we can to tackle the pandemic.

Excited Ondo has broken ground in bitumen exploration and production following the lease signed in 2017. Just as was done with Gold, Limestone and Coal, this will enhance Fed-State relations towards a shared mining prosperity. Congrats to the Ministry and the State.

I took my third Covid-19 test yesterday and it came back positive. I’m generally ok and I’m already self isolating at home and receiving the best of care from my medical team. I’m delegating critical tasks to my Deputy but will continue routine duty from home. JKF

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Governor of Ebonyi, Dave Umahi recovers from COVID-19

Governor Dave Umahi, his daughter and three of his close aides have recovered from coronavirus after testing positive for the disease.

In a statement released 4 weeks after he tested positive for the virus, Umahi thanked God for his recovery and the people of the state for their prayers and support.

Ebonyi has recorded 785 cases of COVID-19 since the outbreak began in the country.