Weekly Epidemiological Report

July 2020 Week 28

Editoral

COVID-19: FG Begins Gradual Re-Opening of Schools

Posted: 29-07-2020 03:24:06 PM

The coronavirus disease (COVID -19) pandemic has continued to have severe impacts on economic, social, educational and political structures of countries across the globe. Of particular concern is the disrupted educational calendar across all levels of learning, as most governments around the world have temporarily closed schools in an attempt to contain the spread of the disease.

In March 2020, a swift assessment of the COVID-19 situation by the Federal Government of Nigeria led to the indefinite closure of all schools and learning facilities in the country. However, the longer schools remain closed, the more severe the long-term implications, thereby exacerbating existing socioeconomic issues in the country.

Nigeria is implementing several public health and social measures to adequately respond to the ongoing COVID-19 including using a phased approach to reopen the economy gradually and safely. On the 27th of July 2020, the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 (PTF-COVID-19) announced a further extension of phase two of the lockdown by one week. It was also announced that secondary schools will reopen from the 4th of August 2020. However, this only applies to students in exiting classes ahead of the West African Examinations starting on the 17th of August 2020.

In preparation for school resumption, the Federal Ministry of Education has developed a National Guideline for Schools and Learning Facility Reopening after COVID-19 Pandemic Closures. This outlines key strategies for implementing safe, efficient and equitable plans for school reopening and operations. It was developed in collaboration with Education in Emergencies Working Group in Nigeria (EiEWGN), Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), civil society and other relevant development partners.

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of learners, teachers, administrators and other educational personnel as schools and learning facilities reopen, the following actions are strongly recommended:

1. Widespread sensitisation through continuous dissemination of information, education and communication materials on COVID-19

2. Compliance with NCDC safety measures e.g. proper screening at the school entrance, use of face masks, diligent temperature checks, washing of hands with soap and water etc.

3. Establish COVID-19 referral system

4. Monitor, encourage and enforce all school reopening protocol etc.

We strongly advise parents, teachers, school owners and all relevant stakeholders in the educational sector to take responsibility for creating a safe environment for learning.


Summary of Incidents

Notes

1. Information for this disease was retrieved from the Technical Working Group and Situation Reports

2. Case Fatality Rate (CFR) for this disease is reported for confirmed cases only

3. Information for this disease was retrieved from IDSR 002 data

4. CFR for this disease is reported for total cases i.e. suspected + confirmed

5. Information for sentinel influenza was retrieved from the laboratory


Lassa Fever

Key points

• There were 33 suspected cases, three laboratory confirmed cases and no death recorded from one LGA in Ondo state.

Actions

To date:

• National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) continues to coordinate the response activities at all levels

Planned:

• Continue resource mobilisation


Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM)

Key points

There were six suspected cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) reported from three LGAs in Katsina state. There was no laboratory confirmed case and no death was recorded

Actions

To date:

• National CSM TWG meets weekly to review reports from states and plan appropriately

• Enhanced surveillance in all states

Planned:

• Continue harmonisation of the national line list and SORMAS data

• Continue to ensure that states reporting cases send their line lists and collect CSM samples


Yellow Fever

Key points

• There were 13 suspected cases of Yellow Fever (YF) reported from 11 LGAs in four states. None was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded

Actions

To date:

• National multiagency YF Technical Working Group (TWG) is coordinating response activities

Planned:

• Continue harmonisation of surveillance and laboratory data ongoing


Cholera

Key points

• There were two suspected cases of cholera reported from two LGA in two state (Bayelsa – 1, & Kaduna – 1). None was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded

Actions

To date

• National Cholera Multi-Sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) is monitoring all states and supporting affected states

Planned:

• Continue follow up and monitoring of non-reporting states

• Continue harmonisation of the national line list and SORMAS data


Measles

Key points

• There were 77 suspected cases of measles reported from 46 LGAs in 18 states. None was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded

Actions

To date

• National Measles TWG is closely monitoring measles surveillance data and providing feedback to relevant agencies and development partners

• Weekly surveillance and laboratory data harmonisation ongoing

Planned:

• Continue monthly measles surveillance data review


Monkeypox

Key points

• There were three suspected case of Monkeypox reported in Bayelsa state. None was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded

Actions

To date

• National Monkeypox Technical Working Group (TWG) is monitoring activities in all states

Planned:

• Enhance surveillance for monkeypox in high burden states

• Continue harmonisation of the national line list and SORMAS data


Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP)

Key points

• There were 73 suspected cases of AFP reported from 66 LGAs in 23 states. None was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded


Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

Actions

To date:

• National COVID-19 multi-partner Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) continues to coordinate response activities across states

• Reviewed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for sample packaging and transport to enhance sample management

• Supported Lagos with the establishment of five (5) walk-in sites to optimise sample collection

• Produced and shared jingles on COVID-19 preventive messages with states and Federal Ministry of Information (FMOI)

• Virtual Training of Trainer (TOT) on contact tracing and active case search ongoing

Planned:

• Supportive supervision visits to treatment and Isolation centres

• Monitor States’ stepdown training for Community Volunteers and Health Care Workers

• Assessment and optimisation of PCR laboratories in Zamfara, Kebbi, Yobe, Taraba, Gombe and Bayelsa State


National Influenza Sentinel Surveillance

Key points

• The subtypes A seasonal H3, 2009A/H1N1 and A/not subtyped account for 0 (0.0%), 2 (9.5%) and 19 (90.5%) of the total influenza A positive sample, respectively. The subtypes B VICTORIA, B Not subtyped and B Yamagata account for 0 (0.0%), 8 (100%) and 0 (0.0%) of the total influenza B positive samples, respectively.

• The percentage influenza positive was highest in week 10 with 40%.


Timeliness and Completeness of Reports


Timeliness and Completeness of Reports by State

Highlight of the week

  • Summary of Incidents
  • Lassa Fever
  • Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM)
  • Yellow Fever
  • Cholera
  • Measles
  • Monkeypox
  • Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP)
  • Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
  • National Influenza Sentinel Surveillance
  • Timeliness and Completeness of Reports
  • Timeliness and Completeness of Reports by State

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