May 15: 5,162 cases, Canada evacuation hits snag
Total confirmed cases = 5,162 (new cases = 193)
Total recoveries = 1,180
Total deaths = 167
Active cases = 3,815
Figures valid as of close of day May 14, 2020
Speaking at the daily briefing of the presidential task force, Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama disclosed that evacuation plans from Canada had hit a glitch.
“It is true the Canadian government denied landing rights to a Nigerian carrier scheduled for evacuation duty, on grounds that the airline does not have a license to undertake commercial flights to Canada.
“Our High Commission is engaging with Canadian government on this issue. The argument our High Commissioner is making is that this is not a regular commercial flight, but instead an emergency evacuation flight. So negotiations are ongoing with the Canadian government,” he further clarified.
Nigeria has through the Ministry and diaspora commission evacuated nationals from the United States, United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates in the past weeks.
May 14: 4,971 cases, recoveries pass 1,000
Total confirmed cases = 4,971 (new cases = 184)
Total recoveries = 1,070
Total deaths = 164
Active cases = 3,737
Over in north-eastern Yobe State, there are reports of mysterious deaths which authorities say have led to 471 being buried in the past five weeks.
The situation is similar to that of Kano State where government has ordered the NCDC to probe a spike in deaths weeks ago.
Yobe State Commissioner for Health Muhammad Lawan Gana told the BBCthat an initial investigation found most deaths were of elderly people with pre-existing medical conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.
Officials say the toll is unusually high from health issues but have not linked it to the coronavirus. They admit however that some deceased persons had shown symptoms.
National coordinator for the presidential task force on COVID-19 last week said the Kano deaths were virus-related but Health Minister Osagie Ehanire later said the investigations were yet to be concluded.
