COVID-19: Update at a glance Vol. 2

• The Nigeria Center for Disease Control ( NCDC) has taken to their Facebook handle to report 4 New Confirmed cases at 11:00pm on Monday bringing the number of Confirmed cases to 40. Nigeria has also recorded 1 death and 2 Recovery from the deadly Coronavirus.

• The Federal Government through NCDC and the Ministry of Information and Culture has alerted Nigerians to be wary of fake news on Television screens claiming that 472 Confirmed cases of COVID-19 has been recorded in the country. In their posts on Facebook, they noted that such data was the case of Lassa Fever and has nothing to do with COVID-19. 

• The Ministry of Information and Culture has also warned about fake audio recording being circulated on Social Media especially Whatsapp making bogus claim that Nigeria is planning to buy used protective gears from China, waiting for money from WHO before doing anything, that Nigeria has no fund to tackle the COVID-19 as the foreign reserves have been exhausted and funds stolen, that Nigeria is understating the incidence of the COVID-19 etc. The Ministry noted that such audio is irresponsible, inaccurate and an orchestrated job by charlatan which should be disregarded by all Nigerians. 

• The Ministry also warned of another message circulating on Whatsapp claiming that the Federal Government has agreed to pay N8,500 to each citizen to stay at home for one month starting from March 30, 2020. The message is instigating Nigerians to enter their Voter's Card Number or National Identity Card Number on a certain website to be able to access the fund. It emphasised that such message are from Scammers who are trying to cash in on a global tragedy.

• The Social media has been set agog following a decision by the Federal Government to recall their retired Doctors and Nurses to aid the fight against the COVID-19 Pandemic. In the various arguments on the Social media, Nigerians noted that such case could predispose the retired Doctors and Nurses to the infection as it targets ages above 60 more than below 60 years. In their reactions, they asked the Federal Government to either strengthen the existing health workers or engage Microbiologist, Biochemists, Medical Doctors, Nurses and Schools of Health graduates roaming the streets, who are young and vibrant with more likely high immune system that would make them less predisposed to the COVID-19 infection in the course of fighting it.

• The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has permitted the youth corps members to go home in a bid to protect them and control the spread of the COVID-19 Pandemic. This was stated in a memo to all area cordinators signed by Sanusi A.R on behalf of the NYSC DG, Shuaibu Ibrahim. "I am directed to request all state coordinators to grant permission to corps members willing to travel, especially those in the teaching or allied professions."For the period it will last, corps members should be advised to adopt all preventive tips provided by the federal health authorities including high level of hygiene and refrain from any unwholesome act that may put them at risk," the DG said.

• Globally this hour, the Coronavirus Pandemic has touched the  195 countries of the world infecting 378,829 people. Death toll has risen to 16,509 with Italy topping at 6,077 followed by China at 3,277, Spain at 2,311 and Iran at 1,812. USA death toll has risen to 552 with 43,721 Confirmed cases and 295 recoveries.  As at this hour, 102,064 people have recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic globally.

• As at Monday 23rd March, 2020, Africa has recorded 1,521 Confirmed Cases, 48 Deaths with Egypt topping at 19 followed by Algeria at 17 and Burkina Faso at 5. South Africa is topping the number of cases with 402 Confirmed cases with zero death and zero recovery. Within Africa as at Monday, 104 people have recovered from the COVID-19 Infection.

• CNBC has reported in their website that WHO considers 'Airborn Precaution' in the spread of the deadly Coronavirus and had advised medical workers. In the publication on Monday, it was noted that the consideration came after a new study revealed that COVID-19 can stay suspended in air depending on heat and humidity factors.