The COVID-19 numbers as they stand are numbing: 214 million confirmed cases, 4.4 million confirmed deaths and 4.9 billion doses of vaccine administered. That’s according to a database the World Health Organisation has been keeping since the pandemic began.

The second phase of a vaccination campaign against coronavirus disease is on, but there are questions. The questions are not for Nigeria, but for the world.

Catching COVID-19 confers immunity against the virus. So, do you still need a vaccine to stop the virus? The choice is between getting exposed and getting the vaccine. The Delta variant makes the question even more pertinent.

And all this comes at a time doctors, who are already on a nationwide strike, are looking to check out of the country. The Saudi health ministry staged a recruitment meet to pick Nigerian doctors from more than 14 specialties, with promise of good pay, better benefits and huge allowances

But states are receiving doses of the vaccine in tens of thousands. They are also pushing for public acceptance. Ogun is taking the campaign to public spaces—including markets and mosques.

And Edo will bar anyone without proof of vaccination from banks, churches, mosques and event centres. CAN—a national group of Christian organisations—has backed the restrictions in Edo.

Getting a COVID-19 training? Not yet

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) will soon train 200 community pharmacists on vaccination for COVID-19 and other diseases.

The National Chairman of the association, Dr. Samuel Adekola stated this Thursday in Abuja during the launch of a 1,350 square meter plot of land for the construction of the association’s liaison office.

Cuba beats Nigeria 5-0 on vaccine

Cuba has developed five COVID-19 vaccines with two already approved by the medical authority of the country, the Ambassador of Cuba to Nigeria, Clara Escandell, has said.

Escandell made this known when she visited Dr Al-Mujtaba Abubakar, President of  the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) to strengthen partnership with the Chamber.

Lagos hits 506 record deaths

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, says the number of persons in the state that died from COVID-19 related complications had increased to 506. 

Abayomi said this through his Facebook account @ProfAkinolaAbayomi on Sunday, while giving the state’s COVID-19 update for Aug. 20.

300 in one week

Ekiti State has recorded 300 COVID-19 cases in the last one week. The Chairman of the state’s COVID-19 taskforce team, Dr Jimlas Ogunsakin, disclosed this during an operation to enforce observance to safety protocols in Ado-Ekiti at the weekend.

What’s COVID-19 to do with your menses?

Increased stress, changes in weight and exercise, and other major lifestyle changes can affect menstrual cycles — and all of those changes are common during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, studies have shown that some women who had COVID-19 experienced changes in the duration and flow of their menstrual cycles.

Back on the list: COVID is No 10 cause of death

Covid-19 was the ninth biggest cause of death in England in July, having been the 26th most common cause in June.In Wales it was the 22nd leading cause of death, having been too low to rank the previous month.

The total number of people dying rose back above the average levels for 2015 to 2019 in July. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show the number of deaths was 7.6% higher than average in England and 10.4% higher in Wales.

How COVID-19 came about still a mystery

The US intelligence community has been unable to determine the origins of Covid-19, and is split on whether it leaked from a lab or developed in nature, according to a new report. The report issued by the office that oversees the nation’s 18 spy agencies did conclusively determine that it was not developed as a biological weapon.