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VETERAN ACTOR VICTOR DECKER FOUND DEAD IN HIS APARTMENT @72

U S PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN EXTENDS BAN ON FORECLOSURES DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC

17/02/ 21

Credit:Associated Press

U S PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN EXTENDS BAN ON FORECLOSURES

President Joe Biden is extending a ban on housing foreclosures to June 30 to help homeowners struggling during the coronavirus pandemic. The moratorium on foreclosures of federally guaranteed mortgages had been set to expire March 31. Census Bureau figures show that almost 12% of homeowners with mortgages were late on their payments. The White House says the coordinated actions announced Tuesday by the Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Veterans Affairs and Agriculture also will extend to June 30 the enrollment window for borrowers who want to request pauses or reductions in mortgage payments.

WHO lists 2 additional COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use and COVAX roll-out

17/02/21

PUBLISHER:DANIELS G.O

PRESS RELEASE

WHO lists 2 additional COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use and COVAX roll-out

AstraZeneca/Oxford-developed vaccines to reach countries in the coming weeks

Geneva, 15 February 2021 – The World Health Organization (WHO) today listed two versions of the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, giving the green light for these vaccines to be rolled out globally through COVAX. The vaccines are produced by AstraZeneca-SKBio (Republic of Korea) and the Serum Institute of India.

WHO’s Emergency Use Listing (EUL) assesses the quality, safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and is a prerequisite for COVAX Facility vaccine supply. It also allows countries to expedite their own regulatory approval to import and administer COVID-19 vaccines.

“Countries with no access to vaccines to date will finally be able to start vaccinating their health workers and populations at risk, contributing to the COVAX Facility’s goal of equitable vaccine distribution,” said Dr Mariângela Simão, WHO Assistant-Director General for Access to Medicines and Health Products.

‘But we must keep up the pressure to meet the needs of priority populations everywhere and facilitate global access. To do that, we need two things – a scale-up of manufacturing capacity, and developers’ early submission of their vaccines for WHO review.”

The W.H.O EUL process can be carried out quickly when vaccine developers submit the full data required by WHO in a timely manner. Once those data are submitted, WHO can rapidly assemble its evaluation team and regulators from around the world to assess the information and, when necessary, carry out inspections of manufacturing sites.

In the case of the two AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccines, WHO assessed the quality, safety and efficacy data, risk management plans and programmatic suitability, such as cold chain requirements. The process took under four weeks.

The vaccine was reviewed on 8 February by WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE), which makes recommendations for vaccines’ use in populations (i.e. recommended age groups, intervals between shots, advice for specific groups such as pregnant and lactating women). The SAGE recommended the vaccine for all age groups 18 and above.

The AstraZeneca/Oxford product is a viral vectored vaccine called ChAdOx1-S [recombinant]. It is being produced at several manufacturing sites, as well as in the Republic of Korea and India. ChAdOx1-S has been found to have 63.09% efficacy and is suitable for low- and middle-income countries due to easy storage requirements.

WHO emergency use listing

The emergency use listing (EUL) procedure assesses the suitability of novel health products during public health emergencies. The objective is to make medicines, vaccines and diagnostics available as rapidly as possible to address the emergency, while adhering to stringent criteria of safety, efficacy and quality. The assessment weighs the threat posed by the emergency as well as the benefit that would accrue from the use of the product against any potential risks.

The EUL pathway involves a rigorous assessment of late phase II and phase III clinical trial data as well as substantial additional data on safety, efficacy, quality and a risk management plan. These data are reviewed by independent experts and WHO teams who consider the current body of evidence on the vaccine under consideration, the plans for monitoring its use, and plans for further studies.

As part of the EUL process, the company producing the vaccine must commit to continue to generate data to enable full licensure and WHO prequalification of the vaccine. The WHO prequalification process will assess additional clinical data generated from vaccine trials and deployment on a rolling basis to ensure the vaccine meets the necessary standards of quality, safety and efficacy for broader availability.

WHO also listed the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for emergency use on 31 December 2020.

ASH WEDNESDAY: CHRISTIANS BEGIN 40 DAY LENT WITH CALL FOR DIVINE INTERVENTION

17/02/21

DANIELS G.O

2021 LENT BEGINS

The need to depend on God’s Power for divine intervention for permanent solution for the problems confronting the country has again Been brought to the fore as Catholic faithful begin lent Period.

The lenting season is a period traditionally observed with fasting and prayers as well as arms giving.

COVID-19 protocols was strictly observed at the Mass in most worship Centres visited with ashes on the forehead of the worshippers.

Ash Wednesday also known as the day of the Ashes marks the beginning of the 40-day Lenten period which end with Easter celebration.

In the Christendom, it is a day of somber reflection on the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Ashes are gathered from the burned palms of the previous year’s Palm Sunday.

When the officiating Priest applies the Ash on the forehead of the Faithful, he says “Remember that you are dust and unto dust you shall return ” Ash Wednesday has a non-Christian origin but was accepted into the Faith at the Council of Nicea in 325 AD.

The Council also settled on the 40-day fast period as the standard length to celebrate Lent.

In 601, Pope Gregory moved the beginning of Lent from Fourth Sunday of the year to Ash Wednesday.

He also instituted the tradition of marking the Faithful’s foreheads with ashes in the shape of a Cross. Some Protestant denominations such as Anglican, Episcopalians, Lutherans, United Methodists and Presbyterians observe Ash Wednesday celebration.

ONDO STRIKING DOCTORS,NO END IN SIGHT AS PATIENTS GROAN AND SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION ELSEWHERE

17/02/21

DANIELS G.O

Patients seeking medical attention in Ondo State have resorted to travelling to neighboring states or visiting private hospitals to get service.

This is because doctors in the employment of the state government, who embarked on an indefinite strike 14 days ago over payment of 50 percent November, 2020 salary, are yet to return to work.

The doctors include members of the Association of Resident Doctors, National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners, and the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria in Ondo State.

They withdrew their services on the 2nd of February, over 50 percent November 2020 salary paid to them by the state government.

A visit to the State Specialists’ Hospital, Akure and other government medical facilities, reflected an atmosphere of serenity, while beds were without patients.

There were also no traces of doctors at the hospitals, as people seeking medical attention were turned back.

The striking doctors said since the start of the industrial action two weeks ago, there have been no concrete agreement between them and the state Government.

The striking doctors, who are worried by the rising cases of Covid-19 infection in the State, said their colleagues are leaving in droves to neighbouring states, where salaries are been paid regularly.

Meanwhile the state Acting commissioner for health, Jibayo Adeyeye blamed the 50 percent payment on shortfall of revenue,but promised the issue will be resolved soon.

ARREST OF OCCUPY LEKKI PROTESTERS, A DEVIATION FROM THE SOCIETY BEKO AND OTHERS FOUGHT FOR… CDHR LAGOS CHAPTER

15/02/21

DANIELS G. O

Some Human Rights Activists in Lagos state have Challenged the Civil Society Organizations to wake up to the vision of the Founding fathers of activism in Nigeria.

Speaking During the 15th Annual Beko Memorial lecture with the theme “BEKO’s Struggle For Equality, Justice And Human Dignity, The Lagos State CDHR Chairman Roy Michael Olokungboye And his team noted that many activists have sold out to Government for Personal Gains.

They Also used the Occasion to comment on development at the LEKKI Tollgate Protest of 13th February 2021 and it’s aftermath.

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NIGERIA’S PRESIDENT BUHARI CONDEMNS REPORTED CASES OF ETHNIC VIOLENCE IN THE COUNTRY

15/02/21

DANIELS G.O

PRESS PRESSURE

President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed that his government will protect all religious and ethnic groups, whether majority or minority in line with its responsibility under the constitution.

The president’s vow is coming in wake of reports of breakout of violence in some parts of the country by some ethnic and sectional groups.

President Buhari in a statement issued by his senior special assistant on media and publicity Garba Shehu on Sunday night warned that the government will not allow any ethnic or religious group to stoke up hatred and violence against other groups.

The President condemned such violence and gave assurance that his government will act decisively to stop the spread of any such violence.

He appealed to religious and traditional leaders as well governors and other elected leaders across the country to join hands with the federal government to ensure that communities in their domain are not splintered along ethnic and other primordial lines.

EBOLA RESURGENCE IN GUINEA

15/02/21

Publisher.Daniels G.O

PRESS RELEASE

Brazzaville/Conakry – Health authorities in Guinea today declared an outbreak of Ebola in the rural community of Gouéké in N’Zerekore prefecture after three Ebola cases were confirmed by the national laboratory, marking the first time the disease has been reported in the country since an outbreak ended in 2016.

Initial investigations found that a nurse from the local health facility died on the 28 January 2021. Following her burial, six people who attended the funeral reported Ebola-like symptoms and two of them have died, while the other four have been hospitalized.

Guinea was one of the three most-affected countries in the 2014–2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak which was the largest since the virus was first discovered in 1976.

THOUSANDS OF UNDER FIVE YEARS CHILDREN IN YEMEN PROJECTED TO DIE OF ACUTE MALNUTRITION IF NOTHING URGENT IS DONE…UNICEF, W.H.O

15/02/21

PUBLISHER : Daniels G.O

PRESS RELEASE

Nearly 2.3 million children under the age of five in Yemen are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition in 2021, four United Nations agencies warned today. Of these, 400,000 are expected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition and could die if they do not receive urgent treatment.

The new figures, from the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Acute Malnutrition report released today by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), UNICEF (the United Nations Children’s Fund), the World Food Programme (WFP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners, mark an increase in acute malnutrition and severe acute malnutrition of 16 per cent and 22 per cent, respectively, among children under five years from 2020.

The agencies also warned that these were among the highest levels of severe acute malnutrition recorded in Yemen since the escalation of conflict in 2015.

Malnutrition damages a child’s physical and cognitive development, especially during the first two years of a child’s life. It is largely irreversible.

COVID-19 DEATHS IN AFRICA INCREASES BY 40% IN ONE MONTH…WHO

15/02/21

Publisher. Daniels G.O

PRESS RELEASE

Brazzaville, 2021 – Deaths from COVID-19 in Africa have surged by 40% in the last month, pushing Africa’s death toll towards 100 000 since the first reported case on the continent on 14 February 2020. This comes as Africa battles new, more contagious variants and gears up for its largest-ever vaccination drive.

Over 22 300 deaths were reported in Africa in the last 28 days, compared with nearly 16 000 deaths in the previous 28 days. The continent is expected to reach 100 000 deaths in the coming days. Thirty-two countries reported a rise in deaths in the last 28 days, while 21 reported flat or falling rates. Africa’s COVID-19 fatality rate rose to 3.7% during the last 28 days compared to 2.4% in the previous 28 days and is and is now well above the global average.

This spike in mortality comes as Africa’s second wave of cases which began in October 2020 seems to have peaked on 6 January 2021. The second wave spread much faster than the first and is far more lethal.

“The increasing deaths from COVID-19 we are seeing are tragic, but are also disturbing warning signs that health workers and health systems in Africa are dangerously overstretched. This grim milestone must refocus everyone on stamping out the virus,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa.

In the second wave as cases surged far beyond the peak experienced in the first wave, health facilities have become overwhelmed. Preliminary reports which WHO has received from 21 countries show that 66% reported inadequate critical care capacity, 24% reported burnout among health workers and 15 countries reported that oxygen production, crucial for severely ill COVID-19 patients, remains insufficient.

The one-year milestone comes as the continent faces the spread of new strains of virus. Variant 501Y.V2 (also known as B1.351), first identified in South Africa, has been detected in eight African countries, while the VOC202012/01 variant (also known as B1.1.7) initially identified in the United Kingdom has been detected in six countries on the continent.

This week South Africa announced that it will pause the roll-out of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine because of a study indicating that the vaccine is less effective in preventing mild and moderate infection with the 501Y.V2 variant that is dominant in the country.

“This is obviously very disappointing news, but the situation is very dynamic. While a vaccine that protects against all forms of COVID-19 is our biggest hope, preventing severe cases which overwhelm hospitals is crucial,” said Dr Moeti. “If cases remain mostly mild and moderate and don’t require critical care then we can save many lives. So, my message is, go out and get vaccinated when a vaccine becomes available in your country.”

On 10 February 2021, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization, known as SAGE, strongly recommended that countries use the AstraZeneca vaccine, for priority groups, even if variants are present in a country.

These preliminary findings highlight the urgent need for a coordinated approach for surveillance and evaluation of variants and their potential impact on vaccine effectiveness. WHO will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as new data become available.

New variants are likely to emerge as the virus continues to spread so preventive measures must be maintained even as Africa gears up to start vaccinations against the virus.

“The pandemic is far from over, and vaccines are just one crucial tool in our fight against the virus. We must boost investments and support for our health workers and health systems by sticking to mask wearing, regular hand cleaning and safe social distancing,” said Dr Moeti.

Dr Moeti spoke during a virtual press conference today facilitated by APO Group. She was joined by Her Excellency Dr Hala Zaid, Minister of Health and Population, Egypt and Professor Peter Piot, Director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Professor of Global Health and Special Advisor to the President of the European Commission on COVID-19. Also on hand to answer questions were Dr Richard Mihigo, Immunization and Vaccine Development Programme Coordinator, WHO Regional Office for Africa, and Dr Nsenga Ngoy, Emergency Response Programme Manager, WHO Regional Office for Africa.

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