The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 says Federal Government establishments, banks, construction companies, manufacturing and others can commence operation from on May, 4, after four weeks lockdown. The National Coordinator of the PTF on COVID-19, Dr. Aliyu Sani, stated this during the daily briefing by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 pandemic on Wednesday in Abuja. Aliyu said that the resumption would be based on specific grade levels. He said construction, manufacturing and food processing...

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd on Thursday said it would start clinical trials in India of antiviral drug favipiravir, seen as a potential treatment for COVID-19, an official said. Sushrut Kulkarni, Executive Vice President for Global R&D, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, said this in an announcement that sent its shares up as much as 9 per cent. The trials come after a Chinese official told reporters last month that an active ingredient of the drug had been effective, with...

The Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed said he has authorized the use of chloroquine as a medication for the treatment of COVID-19. Mr. Mohammed, who was the COVID-19 index case in the state, said he was treated with “chloroquine and Zithromax.” The governor, who dropped the hint while providing an update on COVID-19 in the state, at the Government House, Bauchi, said he would take responsibility for any consequences of approving such drugs. Accordingly,...

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), on Wednesday, confirmed 196 new cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the country, bringing the total number of infections in Nigeria to 1,728. The NCDC also said that the virus claimed the lives of 11 patients, bringing the total number of deaths to 51. The centre said that the breakdown of the 196 new infections recorded indicated that Lagos recorded 87 new cases and Kano, 24. Others...