Fresh crisis is looming as UAE barred Nigerian travellers. EKO HOT BLOG reports that the United Arab Emirates agencies, National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA), and the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) have suspended entry for passengers from Nigeria and three other African countries. The other countries are Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia. … Read more
Levels of neutralising antibodies were also higher with the booster jab than with individuals who had previously been infected… EKO HOT BLOG reports that AstraZeneca has said that a third dose of its COVID-19 vaccine “significantly” lifted antibody levels against the Omicron coronavirus variant, citing data from a new laboratory study. Findings from the study, … Read more
Pfizer’s treatment, called Paxlovid, is a combination of two pills taken over five days that was shown in a clinical trial of 2,200 people… EKO HOT BLOG reports that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday authorized Pfizer’s Covid-19 pill for high-risk people aged 12 and over, a major milestone in the pandemic … Read more
The Federal Government had commenced the administration of booster shots earlier this month… EKO HOT BLOG reports that President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday received a COVID-19 booster shot at the State House in Abuja. The Federal Government had commenced the administration of booster shots earlier this month as steps to halt the spread of Omicron, … Read more
New Zealand suspends reopening of borders over Omicron EKO HOT BLOG reports that New Zealand on Tuesday delayed the planned reopening of its international borders because of the sweeping spread of Omicron around the world. The suspension comes as several other countries reimposed social distancing measures. Many nations are on high alert just days ahead … Read more
In the US, Omicron is now dominant, accounting for 73% of new infections EKO HOT BLOG reports that the World Health Organization (WHO) has urged people to cancel some of their holiday plans to protect public health, as the Omicron variant spreads globall “An event cancelled is better than a life cancelled,” said WHO head … Read more
…Bennett reiterated that he would continue to restrict travel in order to avoid further lockdowns. EKO HOT BLOG reports that Israel’s health ministry Sunday recommended banning Israelis from travelling to the United States and added several European countries to its Covid “red list”, aimed at containing the Omicron variant’s spread. Barring US travel for Israeli … Read more
The measures take effect from Sunday evening and France has already introduced similar curbs… EKO HOT BLOG reports that Germany has become the latest European country to ban most travellers from Britain, to try to slow the spread of the Omicron variant. German nationals and residents will still be allowed to enter from the UK. … Read more
Britain has recorded record case numbers for three days in a row… EKO HOT BLOG reports that London mayor, Sadiq Khan on Saturday declared a “major incident” in the British capital due to the spread of the Omicron variant. More than 65,000 new cases were confirmed in London over the past seven days, and 26,418 … Read more
Dollar rose on Friday as traders retreated from riskier currencies amid talk of interest rate hikes by central bankers and concerns about the spread of Omicron cases. Eko Hot Blog understands that the dollar index against major currencies rose 0.7%, recouping all of the value it had lost on Thursday following a series of central bank policy … Read more
S’African Omicron hospitalisations rates far lower than with previous variants – but scientists remain cautious EKO HOT BLOG reports that South Africa delivered some positive news on the omicron coronavirus variant on Friday, reporting a much lower rate of hospital admissions and signs that the wave of infections may be peaking. Research indicates that despite Omicron’s increased … Read more
The researchers say there is a high degree of uncertainty until more real-world information is gathered… EKO HOT BLOG reports that UK researchers have analysed the likely impact that a Covid booster shot will have on Omicron and say it could provide around 85% protection against severe illness. The protection is a bit less than … Read more
…the lifting of the travel ban would take effect from 11:59 pm on Saturday. EKO HOT BLOG reports that Canada, on Friday, announced the reversal of a ban on foreign travellers from Nigeria and nine other African countries. The country also reimposed testing, warning that the Omicron variant of Covid-19 risks quickly overwhelming hospitals. Apart … Read more
The UK breaks daily Covid cases record for the third day running with 93,045 new infections A further 111 Covid-related deaths have been recorded EKO HOT BLOG reports the UK has reported 93,045 new Covid infections, breaking the daily case record for the third day in a row. A further 111 Covid-related deaths have been … Read more
All arrivals would have to provide a negative COVID-19 test less than 24 hours old and isolate for at least two days EKO HOT BLOG reports that France is tightening Covid restrictions for travellers arriving from the UK, as the government in Paris tries to slow the spread of the Omicron variant. The French prime … Read more
The director-general urged countries not to underestimate the new variant EKO HOT BLOG reports that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that the Omicron variant is spreading faster than other variants as it is now present in 77 countries.. WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said at a news briefing at WHO headquarters in Geneva … Read more
The Commissioner noted that the State government will not fold its arms and watch the irresponsible actions of some citizens erode the success recorded in the war against COVID-19… EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Lagos State Government has has begun instituting legal proceedings against inbound international passengers who fail to submit themselves for Day … Read more
The UK has explained why Nigeria was removed from travel red list. EKO HOT BLOG reports that the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, has explained that the United Kingdom removed Nigeria from its travel red list based on “scientific and public health data”. She stated this in a statement on Tuesday, saying Nigeria … Read more
Currently, all UK arrivals from red list countries must pay for and self-isolate in a pre-booked, government-approved hotel for 10 days EKO HOT BLOG reports that the British government has said that all 11 countries will be removed from the UK’s travel red list from 4am on Wednesday. Nigeria alongside Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, … Read more
China has slowed its number of new virus cases to a trickle through a combination of tight border restrictions, mass testing, and targeted lockdowns EKO HOT BLOG reports that China has reported its first case of the fast-spreading Omicron coronavirus variant, state media said Monday. Authorities in the northern city of Tianjin confirmed the case … Read more