The World Health Organisation on Tuesday agreed to review the transmission mode of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) as new evidence indicates that airborne transmission of the virus may be possible indoors. The UN health agency during a virtual press briefing in Geneva said it is making plans to update its…

The Nigerian government has cautioned authorities and health officials in Kogi and Cross River States against “playing politics” with the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that such is capable of thwarting the national response against the contagion. “There should be no politics in responding to a disease that is as infectious as…

The rapid increase in COVID-19 cases among Nigeria's top officials is capable of adversely impacting governance and security in the country, an official has said. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, said this at the bi-weekly Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 briefing on Monday. He…

Frina Joe, like many other women of reproductive age around her, has suffered from the absence of healthcare facilities and potable water supply in Kpaduma, a rural community in Asokoro district of Abuja. “After two children, my husband and I decided to stop childbearing because of the stress of accessing…

Findings from the analysis of COVID Organics shows that it largely contains anti-malaria components, the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, said on Thursday. COVID Organics is a herbal mixture developed by the Malagasy Institute of Applied Research. It was reportedly used in treating COVID-19 patients in Madagascar. President Muhammadu Buhari,…

The Nigerian government has approved the resumption of domestic flight as soon as practicable inline with existing international and local guidelines on COVID-19. The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, who made this known at its bi-weekly briefing on Monday, said Nigerians should expect a…

The federal government has approved what it called “safe reopening” of schools nationwide in the next phase of the gradual easing of lockdown ordered to curtail further spread of COVID-19. The government also lifted the ban on interstate travels. Interstate travels can, however, only be done outside curfew hours with…

The second phase of the gradual easing of the lockdown in the country has been extended by four weeks, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, has said. Nigeria imposed its first round of lockdown in late March. Mr Buhari on April 27 announced the gradual…

Nigeria's mortality rate from COVID-19 (2 per cent) is low because the age bracket most affected are able to successfully fight the disease, an official has said. The head of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, said this, on Monday, while addressing journalists after meeting with President Muhammadu…

The Nigeria government has said it is almost ready to reopen the aviation industry for domestic flights amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, made this known at a press briefing in Lagos on Saturday following an Aero Contractors plane dry test run flight from the Nnamdi…

The Nigerian government has recognised the sudden loss of the senses of taste and smell as a valid symptom of COVID-19. "If you feel you are having sudden loss of the senses of taste and smell, you should know it's now a common symptom of COVID," Chikwe Ihekweazu, the head…

A new report has shown that deaths from HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria could double if systems for health are overwhelmed, treatment and prevention programmes are disrupted and resources are diverted. The report titled ‘Mitigating the Impact of COVID-19 on Countries Affected by HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria’ was released by the…

The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has recommended restitution for victims of human rights abuses during the 22-year long rule of former Gambia president, Yahya Jammeh. In a report titled “Documenting Dictatorship: Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation in the Gambia”, the centre said reparation is a critical area in Gambia’s…

The COVID-19 pandemic could affect the availability and distribution of antiretroviral drugs used in treating HIV, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) said on Monday. An analysis by the UN agency shows the potential impacts the COVID-19 pandemic could have in low- and middle-income countries around the world…

All states in Nigeria have recorded at least a case of COVID-19 ravaging the world, the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Chikwe Ihekweazu, said on Monday. Mr Ihekweazu's statement is against the current background that Cross River is the only state yet to record a case…

PT: Could you explain the risk COVID-19 poses to people living with HIV? Are they at higher risk of contracting the virus? Aliyu: There is no evidence till date that People Living with HIV (PLWHIV), who are on regular effective antiretroviral treatment are at higher risk than other people whether…

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, has identified human resistance to change and stigmatisation as part of the challenges in containing the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr Mustapha said this at the bi-weekly Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 briefing on Thursday while reminiscing on the achievements of…

Nigeria's Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, has said the claim by striking doctors that there were inadequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) in hospitals was incorrect. The doctors under the aegis National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) had on Monday announced the commencement of a nationwide indefinite strike in a communique…

The Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Musa Nuhu, has explained why the date for the resumption of domestic flights in the country was postponed. He said the aviation industry has not yet adjusted to the current public health reality. Nigeria shut its airports, except for essential flights,…

Nigeria has postponed the date for the resumption of domestic flights in the country, an official has said. The Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Musa Nuhu, disclosed this Thursday at the daily briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19. Mr Nuhu said the June 21 date…

The ongoing strike action by Nigerian doctors may lead to loss of lives, the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, has said. The doctors under the aegis of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Monday announced their decision to embark on an indefinite strike amidst increasing cases of COVID-19…

The Federal Government has said it gave approval for the flight that flew in controversial musician, Azeez Fashola, also known as Naira Marley from Lagos to Abuja. The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika disclosed this at the daily Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 briefing on Monday. He, however, explained…

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has said about 80 per cent of cases are being managed outside the isolation centres designated for treatment. The National Coordinator of the PTF, Sani Aliyu, while speaking at the daily PTF briefing on Thursday said this is due to lack of adequate…

The Nigerian government has announced plans to resume the evacuation of some Nigerians stranded abroad due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Sani Aliyu, made this known at its daily briefing on Monday. Mr Aliyu said the resumption of the evacuation…

About 60 per cent of 'mysterious deaths' recorded in Kano State may have been triggered by COVID-19, an official has said. The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, made this known at the daily Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 briefing on Monday. The northwestern state had in April experienced a spate…