The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Nigeria increased by 661 on Saturday, 20 June, to a total of 19,808 according to NCDC. The death toll in the country due to Covid-19 rose by 19 to 506. Nigeria has recorded 6,718 recoveries from the virus.
34.8% of the new cases were confirmed in Lagos state with 19.2% in River state. The details of the new cases are as follows: Lagos-230, Rivers-127, Delta-83, FCT-60, Oyo-51, Edo-31, Bayelsa-27, Kaduna-25, Plateau-13, Ondo-6, Nasarawa-3, Ekiti-2, Kano-2, and Borno-1.
As at 19 June, 78% of the confirmed cases in Nigeria has unknown exposure according to the situation report by NCDC. 66% of the total cases are male while 34% are women. The most affected age group is 31 – 40 years. They make up 24% of the total confirmed cases.
Total of 111,052 samples have been tested in Nigeria since the outbreak began.
Ten states with the largest number of confirmed cases according to NCDC are shown in the table below.
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In River state, as the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 continue to rise in the state, the state governor Nyesom Wike has imposed a total lockdown on Bonny Local Government Area and Onne Community in Eleme Local Government Areas to curtail the spread of coronavirus in the State.
The lockdown will take effect from Sunday 21 June 2020. The governor also said the residents of River state should prepare for statewide lockdown which will be imposed should cases of Covid-19 continue to rise in the state. River state has the fourth largest number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Nigeria, behind Lagos, FCT and Kano state.
Governor Wike said, “Pursuant to the fundamental objective of stopping the spread of coronavirus, we have reviewed the situation in Bonny Island and Onne Communities and come to the conclusion that a total lockdown is necessary at this time to shut down the continuing spread of the virus in these communities.
“By this measure, all shops, offices and business places must remain closed.
“All gatherings, including religious, burial and wedding activities are prohibited. All entry and exit into the two communities, except those on essential services and duly permitted, are also banned.
“Security agencies have been directed to enforce the lockdown by arresting and prosecuting anyone who dares to disobey these directives, ” he said.
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Total of 287,385 have been confirmed in Africa with 132,959 recoveries and 7,708 deaths recorded according to Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. This data puts the recovery rate in the continent at 46.27% and death rate at 2.68%
In the U.S, cases of Covid-19 continue to rise across several states in the country. The spike in the number of confirmed cases is largely attributed to the mass protests that have been taking place across the country for several weeks.
Despite the increase in the number of cases, thousands of President Trump’s supporters are gathered in downtown Tulsa as Trump holds his first rally since the outbreak of Covid-19.
Six members of Trump’s campaign advance team for his Tulsa rally have tested positive for the coronavirus ahead of the rally in Oklahoma, according to a statement from the president’s campaign.
“Six members of the advance team tested positive out of hundreds of tests performed, and quarantine procedures were immediately implemented,” said Tim Murtaugh, Campaign Communications Director in a statement.
“No COVID-positive staffers or anyone in immediate contact will be at today’s rally or near attendees and elected officials.”
The campaign has required all those in attendance to sign a digital waiver releasing the campaign and the president of any liability if they get sick.
Daily coronavirus cases in the United States on Friday exceeded 30,000 for the first time in seven weeks, with states in the South and West continuing to report alarming spikes in new infections.
The U.S recorded 31,630 new confirmed cases on Friday, according to tracking by The Washington Post. The last time new daily cases in the United States topped 30,000 was on May 1, when 33,263 new infections were reported.
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The U.S has highest number of confirmed Covid-19 cases and deaths in the world. It has reported 2,251,203, cases with 617,460 recoveries and 119,654 deaths. Recovery rate and death rate according to this data is 27.42% and 5.3% respectively.
In South Africa, New Development Bank approved a $1 billion emergency assistance program loan for the Republic of South Africa.
“The aim of the loan is to support the South African government in its efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19 in the country and the reduce human, social and economic losses caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
South Africa has the highest number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Africa. it has recorded 92,681 cases with 50,326 recoveries and 1,877 deaths. This data puts the recovery rate and the death rate at 54.3% and 2.02% respectively.
In Zimbabwe, the health minister, Obadiah Moyo is facing corruption charges over the procurement of coronavirus tests and equipment.
He was arrested on Friday, and he is facing corruption charges related to a $20m contract awarded to a Hungary-registered firm. It was reported that the award of the contract did no go through proper process.
Zimbabwe has reported 476 cases with 63 recoveries and 4 deaths. This data puts the country’s recovery rate and death rate at 13.23% and 0.84% respectively.
In Chile, the government increased its estimated number of fatal cases of Covid-19 to more than 7,000 on Saturday, under a new tallying method that includes probable fatalities from the virus.
“In relation to those who died due to Covid-19 without laboratory confirmation, that is, deaths in which Covid-19 is a possible or probable cause, the number rises by 3,069,” said Rafael Araos, the country’s chief epidemiologist.
Prior to the increase the confirmed death toll in the country stood at 4,265.
Chile has confirmed 236,748 cases of Covid-19 with 196,609 recoveries and 7,364 deaths. According to the data, the recovery rate and death rate stood at 83.5% and 3.11% respectively.
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In Germany, the reproduction rate of coronavirus in the country has jumped to 1.79, on Saturday from 1.06 on Friday.
This increase was reported by Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for public health. 1.79 reproduction rate is far above what is needed to contain the outbreak over the longer term.
A reproduction rate, or ‘R’, of 1.79 means that 100 people who contracted the virus infect, on average, 179 other people. With more people being infected, containing the spread of the virus becomes more difficult.
A reproduction rate of less than 1 is needed to gradually contain the spread of the virus.
Germany has relaxed its lockdown measures, however, Chancellor Angela Merkel had previously said that the measures might be reintroduced if the transmission rate would increase again.
Germany has reported 190,670 cases with 174,609 recoveries and 8,895 deaths. This data puts the country’s recovery rate and death rate at 91.58% and 4.67% respectively. It is notable that Germany has a very high recovery rate.
Total of 8,753,853 cases have been confirmed globally. 4,333,688 recoveries and 463,281 deaths have been recorded according to John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Centre. This data puts global recovery rate and death rate at 49.51% and 5.29% respectively.
Written by;
Ifunanya Ikueze
