Delta Variant: Fear Of Rapid Spread As Nigerians Abandon Safety Protocols

  

      Nigerians have abandoned COVID-19 protocols despite the detection of Delta variant, a highly contagious strain of the virus.

Punch correspondents, who monitored public places across the country on Tuesday, observed that residents were no more adhering to safety measures as they

dismissed the Delta variant, which was detected in the country last week.

But experts, who spoke to The PUNCH, warned that Nigerians’ disregard for safety rules would lead to the rapid spread of the dangerous strain.

Amidst the widespread disregard for protocols in the country,  the University of Lagos, Akoka on Tuesday said patients at its medical centres were presenting

flu-like symptoms similar to COVID-19.

It was gathered that because of a rumour of a suspected case of the Delta,  many students were no more sleeping in the university hostels.

Despite the advice by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control,  washing of hands and use of face masks have been abandoned in many cities as state governments

have stopped enforcement.

At bus termini in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on Tuesday, passengers and drivers did not adhere to the protocols.

But the state government, in a statement appealed to residents not to let their guards down but adhere strictly to the COVID-19 preventive measures to

prevent them from contacting the Delta variant.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Oyebanji Filani; and the Coordinator, COVID-19 Response Task Force, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, in the statement while alerting

citizens to the presence of the deadly variant in Nigeria, said it was capable of severely impacting infected persons within a short time.

They stated, “Ekiti State COVID-19 Response Task Force is set to heighten surveillance and the strict enforcement of all existing measures aimed at containing

the pandemic in the state. All indigenes and residents are hereby enjoined to adhere to the government’s public health advisories and regulations in our

collective interests.

“We must not relent in the practice of preventive measures such as the proper use of masks in public gatherings, maintenance of hand hygiene through proper

hand-washing or use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers and social distancing.”

Correspondent in Sokoto State noticed that banks, markets including the Sokoto Central Markets and motor parks, had stopped enforcing safety measures.

At the entrance of Sokoto Central Motor Park, what was left were damaged motorized hand washing bowls, without water and soap.

Residents of Plateau State, who spoke to one of the correspondents, said it was not important to use face masks, adding that the Delta variant would go

as the previous strains went down in the country.

It was observed that face masks were no longer in use in public places such as bus stops, schools, churches and mosques.

A resident, Rose Michael who acknowledged the disappearance of the use of face masks and other safety measures in public places, blamed the development

on “familiarity with the disease”

In Rivers State, while shopping malls, banks and hotels continue strict adherence to the protocols, especially the use of face masks, motor parks flout

them.

Correspondents, who have been monitoring the level of compliance with the COVID-19 guidelines, observed that the people had completely ignored the

guidelines in parks,  bus stops and commercial vehicles.

It was also observed that the measures were not being enforced in schools and churches in Port Harcourt and other parts of the state.

UNILAG patients present COVID-19-like symptoms, varsity urges adherence to protocols

In UNILAG, a student,  who resides in one of the hostels on the university campus, confided in one of the correspondents that many of his colleagues who

were ill, had symptoms similar to COVID-19.

“We have many people falling sick with COVID-19 symptoms. We don’t know what is happening. Many of us have to start going home instead of sleeping in the

hostel,” she said.

Another student confirmed that her roommate tested positive and had been isolated.

The undergraduate stated, ”Yes, one of my roommates tested positive. After that, we (other roommates) went for the COVID-19 test but returned negative.

People are saying that there is Delta variant on campus but I don’t know how true that is.”

“We had a test today and the turnout was large, just that many of us were scared and we all used our nose mask,” another student told one of the correspondents.

When contacted, the spokesperson for UNILAG, Nonye Oguama, said “no comment.”

The institution on its website confirmed that its medical centre had recorded an increase in the number of patients with symptoms similar to those of 

COVID-19.

The statement published on the university website read, “The University of Lagos Medical Centre wishes to inform all members of the University of Lagos

Community about what appears to be the start of a potential third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Lagos State.

“The Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-olu, in his press statement issued on July 11, 2021, stated that since the beginning of July

there has been a steep increase in the number of daily confirmed cases, with the test positivity rate going from 1.1 per cent at the end of June 2021,

to its current rate of 6.6 per cent as at the 8th of July 2021. This is with a concurrent increase in the occupancy rate at Lagos State isolation centres.

 “The University of Lagos community has also been affected by this potential third wave, with an increase in the number of patients presented to the University

of Lagos Medical Centre with flu-like symptoms which are similar to COVID-19.

“The Medical Centre hereby assures all members of the university community, that all necessary actions in line with the Federal and Lagos State governments’

guidelines have been taken regarding this potential threat in our community.

“The Medical Centre will also return to providing EMERGENCY ONLY SERVICES during this period, in order to protect all members of the community from potential

infection within the facility. The Medical Centre Emergency Contact line: 09095879781 remains open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

“Despite this threat to the return of normalcy, pursuit of education and daily livelihood, it has become imperative once more to judiciously adhere to

the following COVID-19 guidelines and protocols in order to curb the spread of this disease.”

It was gathered that  a female student in the Law Department got infected, adding that the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, 

summoned an emergency meeting of the senate as the third wave of COVID-19 hits the institution.

Nigeria expecting 41,282,770 vaccine doses July, September

In Abuja on Tuesday, the Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Faisal Shuaib, disclosed that Nigeria would be expecting

41,282,770 COVID-19 vaccine doses this year.

He  advised Nigerians to embrace non-pharmaceutical means of curbing the Delta variant of  coronavirus. 

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NAFDAC Warns Nigerians Against Using Hand Sanitizers With Methanol

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has again cautioned Nigerians against the use of hand sanitizers especially Nutricional S, de R, L De C.V containing methanol.

The warning is contained in a public alert with No: 20/2021 tagged “Recall of Hand Sanitizers by DiBAR Nutricional due to the presence of Methanol(Wood alcohol).

The alert was signed by the Director-General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday .

She said that the agency had received information from US Food and Drug Agency (FDA) about the presence of methanol in hand sanitizers.

She added that information from FDA noted that Nutricional S,de R,L De C.V (Dibar) is recalling all Dibar Labs hand sanitizers, ProtectoRX hand sanitizers and Advance hand sanitizers due to the presence of methanol.

According to her, methanol, or wood alcohol, is a substance that can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested and can be life-threatening when ingested.

“Substantial methanol exposure can result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system or death.

“All persons using these products on their hands are at risk for methanol poisoning, young children who accidentally ingest these products and adolescents and adults who drink these products as alcohol (ethanol) substitute, are most at risk.

“Methanol is not an acceptable ingredient for hand sanitizers and must not be used due to its toxicity,” she stressed.

Adeyeye, therefore, called on consumers, who have been exposed to hand sanitizer containing methanol and are experiencing symptoms, to seek immediate treatment for a potential reversal of toxic effects of methanol poisoning.

According to her, the call is necessary at this time after the FDA analysis has found the product to contain methanol in lab testing.

Adeyeye stated that NAFDAC implores importers, distributors, retailers and consumers to exercise caution and vigilance to avoid the distribution, sale and use of methanol alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

She also called on healthcare providers and members of the public in possession of methanol alcohol-based hand sanitizers to discontinue sale and use or submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.

She said that healthcare professionals are encouraged to report any problem related to the use of any hand sanitizers to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC PRASCOR (20543 TOLL FREE from all networks). 

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COVID 19: NCDC Confirms Deadly Delta Variant In Nigeria

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control on Thursday said it has detected a confirmed case with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, also known as lineage B.1.617.2.

The NCDC in a statement said the variant was detected in a traveller to Nigeria, following the routine travel test required of all international travellers and genomic sequencing at the NCDC National Reference Laboratory, Abuja.

The deadly Delta variant is recognised by the World Health Organisation as a variant of concern, given its increased transmissibility.

The variant has been detected in over 90 countries and is expected to spread to more countries, according to the NCDC.

The NCDC Head of Communications, Dr Yahya Disu, in the statement said the variant had also been linked to a surge in cases in countries where it is the dominant strain in circulation.

“There are ongoing studies to understand the impact of the variant on existing vaccines and therapeutics. As part of Nigeria’s COVID-19 response, NCDC has been working with the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, African Centre for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, and other laboratories within the national network, to carry out genomic sequencing.

 “This is to enable the detection of variants of concern, and initiate response activities. All data on variants from Nigeria have been published on GISAID, a global mechanism for sharing sequencing data. Given the global risk of spread of the Delta variant, positive samples from international travellers to Nigeria are sequenced regularly,” the statement partly read.

The Federal Government through the Presidential Steering Committee had initiated several measures to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19.

The measures include the introduction of travel restrictions from countries where there is a surge in cases associated with widespread prevalence of variants of concern.

“The national travel protocol which includes compulsory seven-day self-isolation and repeat test on the seventh day after arrival, are in place to reduce the risk of spread of the virus.

“It is very important that this is strictly adhered to, to prevent a surge in COVID-19 cases in Nigeria. Given the high transmissibility of the Delta variant and following its detection in Nigeria, NCDC urges all Nigerians to ensure strict adherence to public health and social measures in place,” the statement said.

  

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Nigeria Moves Closer To Local Vaccine Production - NAFDAC

The Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, the drugs and food regulatory agency in Nigeria,  Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, has said that Nigeria has 30 left on the list of requirements put in place by the World Health Organisation for the production of local vaccines in the country.

The NAFDAC boss disclosed this during an interview with news men.

According to Adeyeye, the WHO laid down 240 requirements and Nigeria has been able to meet 210 of them.

She said, “What the world body is trying to do right now is to make sure that Africa has the capacity to manufacture vaccines and that is what is going on as we speak.

“However, to be able to manufacture vaccines, NAFDAC has to be strong enough to control.

“We have been working on this for about three years. When I came in, that was what I dug into.

 “We have over 240 quality system requirements that we have to meet. As of a week plus ago, we had about 30 requirements left.

“It is still a lot, but as we are speaking because the WHO people are coming in three weeks; we have sent them everything we have to serve as evidence. When we get to that level, Nigeria can start manufacturing vaccines.”

  

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How Soon Can You Get Pregnant After Delivery?

After adjusting the monitor on my patient’s stomach so I could hear the baby’s heartbeat, I pulled up her chart to see her history.

“I see here it says you had your first child… [pause]… nine months ago?” I asked, not being able to hide the surprise from my voice.

“Yes, that’s right,” she said without hesitation. “I planned it that way. I wanted them to be really close in age.”

And close in age they were. According to my patient’s dates, she got pregnant again almost the moment she left the hospital. It was kind of impressive, actually.

As a labor and delivery nurse, I saw the same mothers coming back almost exactly nine months later more often than you would think.

So exactly how easy is it to get pregnant right after you have a baby? Let’s find out.

The breastfeeding factor

Breastfeeding, in theory, is supposed to prolong the return of the menstrual cycle, especially in the first six months postpartum. Some women choose to use this as a form of birth control called the lactational amenorrhea method (LAM), assuming that their cycle won’t return while they’re breastfeeding.

But exactly how long breastfeeding can delay the return of fertility varies. It depends how often and regularly a baby nurses, how long the baby will sleep for stretches at a time, and environmental factors, such as:

• sleep disturbances
• sickness
• stress

Every person is different. For example, I didn’t get my period back until eight or nine months postpartum. But one of my friends who also exclusively breastfed got her period at only six weeks postpartum.

Although doctors have confirmed that the delay of the menstrual cycle with breastfeeding can be effective, it’s important to remember that relying on LAM for birth control is most effective if your baby is:

• under 6 months old
• exclusively breastfed: no bottles, pacifiers, or other food
• nursing on demand
• still nursing at night
• nursing at least six times a day
• nursing at least 60 minutes a day

Keep in mind that any fluctuation in the nursing routine, like if your baby sleeps through the night, can cause your cycle to return, too. To be safe, don’t rely on exclusive breastfeeding as effective birth control past nine weeks.

The return of fertility

How soon you’ll get pregnant again depends if you’ll be breastfeeding or not.

Breastfeeding and the hormones that go along with milk production can suppress ovulation from returning.

If you’re not breastfeeding, ovulation usually doesn’t return until at least six weeks postpartum for most women. One review from 2011Trusted Source found, on average, that ovulation returned for nonlactating women on day 74 postpartum. But the range of when ovulation occurred and if that ovulation was functional ovulation (meaning the woman could actually get pregnant with the ovulation) varied greatly.

A woman will ovulate before her period returns. Because of this, she might miss signs that she’s ovulating if she’s trying to avoid pregnancy. This is how some women can get pregnant without even having their periods back between pregnancies.

Getting pregnant again

Ideally, mothers should wait at least 12 months between pregnancies, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Research has foundTrusted Source that the risk for premature birth or your baby being born with a low birth weight increased for gaps shorter than 6 months, compared to those of 18 to 23 months. Intervals that are too short (under 18 months) and too long (over 60 months) have been associatedTrusted Source with negative outcomes for both mom and baby.

Takeaway

In general, most women won’t start ovulating right away after having a baby, but the return of the menstrual cycle ranges widely for women.

Every woman’s personal cycle is different and factors like weight, stress, smoking, breastfeeding, diet, and contraceptive choices will affect the return of fertility.

If you’re planning on avoiding pregnancy, you’ll want to talk to your doctor about family planning options, especially if you’re breastfeeding and aren’t sure when your cycle will return.

  

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The Benefits Of Drinking Water (2)

 

Health Benefits to Kidneys

No More Kidney Stones

More and more people are developing kidney stones. Staying well hydrated can help prevent the formation of stones. Water dilutes salts and minerals that might otherwise concentrate in the kidneys and become stones. The kidneys serve important functions in the body like maintaining water levels, regulating blood pressure, and filtering waste. Watch your sodium intake if you are concerned about kidney stones. Sodium increases calcium levels in the urine. Drinking warm lemon water when you first get up in the morning is a healthy habit that benefits not just your kidneys but also your overall health. Urine pH affects the formation of kidney stones. Acidic urine promotes the formation of some types of stones, while alkaline urine encourages the formation of different stones. Citric acid and calcium citrate are protective against the formation of kidney stones. How do you know if you are drinking enough water to take good care of your kidneys? Your urine should be a pale yellow color. If it is darker, you may be dehydrated. If it is colorless, you may be overhydrated.

 

How Much Water Should You Drink?

Follow Some General Guidelines

Many people think you should drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. There really is no evidence to back that up, but it's an easy approximate amount to remember. The amount of water you should drink every day depends on a variety of factors including your weight, activity level, the weather, and how much you sweat. In reality, people meet their daily fluid requirements by drinking water and other beverages. We also get water from food that we eat. People get about 80% of their daily fluids from drinking water and other beverages. About 20% of total water comes from food. In general, an adult woman needs approximately 11 cups of total water per day from food and beverages. An adult man needs approximately 15 1/2 cups of total water per day. Caffeinated beverages have a slight diuretic effect. Of course if you are thirsty, you need to drink more fluids. Adequate hydration aids in weight loss and has numerous other healthy benefits.

Sources:

  

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