The World Health Organisation (WHO) says its experts will travel to China to work together with their Chinese counterparts to prepare scientific plans for identifying the zoonotic source of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
WHO, in a statement posted on its website, said the experts would develop the scope and Term of Reference (TOR) for a WHO-led international mission.
“Identifying the origin of emerging viral disease has proven complex in past epidemics in different countries.
“A well planned series of scientific researches will advance the understanding of animal reservoirs and the route of transmission to humans.
“The process is an evolving endeavour which may lead to further international scientific research and collaboration globally,’’ it said.
In Nigeria, COVID-19 cases jumped to 30,249 as the country recorded 460 cases on Wednesday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) announced on on its official twitter handle .
The NCDC said that as at July 8, new confirmed cases was 460 with 15 deaths recorded, while no new state had reported a case in the last 24 hours.
According to it, a total of 30,249 cases have been confirmed, 12,373 cases discharged and 684 deaths recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The NCDC said that the 460 new cases were reported from 21 states:
Lagos (150); Rivers (49); Oyo (43); Delta (38); FCT (26); Anambra (20); Kano (20); Plateau (18); Edo (14); Bayelsa (13); Enugu (13); Osun (12); Kwara (10); Borno (8); Ogun (7); Kaduna (6); Imo (4); Bauchi (3); Gombe (3); Niger (2) and Adamawa (1).
The NCDC said that COVID-19 was severe in persons who were over 50 years old and those living with Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension and asthma.
“Families and communities should continue to #TakeResponsibility and support their members who have COVID-19 especially the vulnerable,” it stated.
It advised that Nigerians should continue to protect themselves and others by observing physical distancing , wearing face masks and washing hands frequently.
The NCDC said that in the absence of a vaccine, compliance with Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures remains the most effective intervention to control the COVID-19 pandemics.
Meanwhile, Enugu State, on Thursday, recorded 13 new case of COVID-19 which brings the total cases to 431, with 256 patients discharged.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Emmanuel Obi, the state recorded 12 deaths and 163 active cases on treatment table.
Obi called on the citizens to stay at home when not absolutely necessary to go out.
“COVID-19 is real, wear a face mask whenever you must go out and keep a safe distance from other people at all times, which is social and physical distancing and avoid crowded places.
“Practise good respiratory hygiene when coughing or sneezing, and clean surfaces around you regularly with bleach and clean water.
“Wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds under running water as often as possible.
“Where facilities for hand washing are unavailable, sanitise your hands as often as possible with an alcohol based hand sanitiser,” Obi said.
He added that following these protocols would help to protect individuals from the virus.
The commissioner advised those who noticed symptoms such as coughing and sneezing, high temperature, and difficulty in breathing to call 08182555550 or 09022333833 or the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on 080097000010 for prompt help.
In Osun, the state government says it has recorded 11 new coronavirus cases, barely 24 hours after it confirmed 21 cases.
Dr Rafiu Isamotu, the Commissioner for Health, in a statement in Osogbo on Wednesday, said four patients were also discharged from the isolation band treatment centre after they tested negative to the virus.
Isamotu said the new confirmed cases were contacts of those who had previously contracted the virus in the state.
The commissioner said with the new cases recorded, the number of confirmed cases in the state had risen to 210 with 115 active cases.
Isamotu said 88 patients had successfully been treated and discharged with seven deaths recorded so far.
He appealed to residents of the state to always observe all the precautionary measures laid down by the state to contain the spread of the virus.
