Brazzaville – Virus genome sequencing is playing a vital role in the efforts to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. Sequencing enabled the world to rapidly identify SARS-CoV-2. Knowing the genome sequence allowed rapid development of diagnostic tests and other tools for the response.

Continued genome sequencing is enabling health authorities, governments and researchers to monitor the evolution of COVID-19 and adjust response accordingly.

Juba, South Sudan, 24 February 2021 – The Ministry of Health and partners are rolling-out the second round of the national polio vaccination campaign targeting over 2.8 million children aged 0 – 59 months.

The campaign started on 16 February and covers 74 counties, with vaccinators going from house to house to vaccinate children, while adhering to COVID-19 protocols.   

Kano, 25 February 2021- With the second wave of COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria, WHO is supporting government to leverage on the existing   Auto-Visual Acute Flaccid Paralysis Detection and Reporting (AVADAR) system to strengthen community-based surveillance for the disease. In 731 wards across eleven (11) COVID-19 high risk states, WHO is supporting engagement of more than 670 AVADAR informants to conduct house-to-house COVID-19 surveillance and reporting of suspected COVID-19 cases, sensitize and support contact tracing in the communities.

Abuja, 25 February, 2021 - The World Health Organization is strengthening collaboration with the office of Kebbi State Governor’s wife to champion early cancer detection, improvement of the chances of successful treatment and create awareness for the purpose of eliminating the deadly disease.

24 February 2021 — One hundred and eighteen (118) new COVID-19 cases were identified out of 5252 samples tested today. This brings the cumulative number of confirmed cases eighteen thousand, four hundred and forty-three (18443). To date, seventeen thousand, two hundred, and sixty-four (17264) patients have recovered, including thirteen (13) in the past 24 hours. The number of active cases is nine hundred, and twenty-five (925) and two hundred, and fifty-four (254) deaths. 

The World Health Organization Ghana has donated 6000 Dignity Kits valued at GHS 447,300.00 to the Ministry of Health to be distributed to the various COVID-19 treatment centers across the country. 
Presenting the items, the WHO Country Representative for Ghana, Dr. Francis Kasolo said he was confident that the supplies would go a long way in helping admitted COVID patients perform basic daily activities.  
Each dignity kit contains personal effects such as toothpastes, sanitary packs for women, soap, toiletries, comb and hairbrush.

Benin City, 24 February 2021 - Things have changed for the better in Jattu town of Edo State, says Osumah Kassim Inusa, a community leader in the area. Since health officials implemented a robust community sensitisation and vector control project in 2020, there has been a significant reduction in the numbers of Lassa fever infections recorded. 

23 February 2021 — One hundred and twenty-six (126) new COVID-19 cases were identified out of 5960 samples tested today. This brings the cumulative number of confirmed cases eighteen thousand, three hundred and twenty-five (18325). To date, seventeen thousand, two hundred, and fifty-one (17251) patients have recovered, including two hundred, and fifty-nine (259) in the past 24 hours. The number of active cases is eight hundred, and twenty-one (821) and two hundred, and fifty-three (253) deaths. 

Lagos, 24 February 2021 - For Ade Ogunsanya, a resident of Nigeria’s commercial capital Lagos, a lapse in following the recommended COVID-19 preventive measures proved costly. Fortunately, he is a survivor who lived to tell his story.

Being asthmatic, Ade knew he had to be extra careful and adhere to necessary precautions such as properly wearing his mask in public places, sanitizing his hands regularly and maintaining social distancing. For a while he was too cautious that his friends made fun of him.