The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued what was termed as ‘an emergency use authorization for chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine to treat patients hospitalized with COVID-19’.

The drugs  used to treat malaria and other conditions is said to have little scientific evidence and are effective in treating Covid-19.

In its statement, Department of Health and Human Services, HHS said:

“Anecdotal reports suggest that these drugs may offer some benefit in the treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
“The safety profile of these drugs has only been studied for FDA approved indications, not COVID-19.”

Before this release, US President Donald Trump had claimed few weeks ago that the  FDA had approved the “very powerful” drug chloroquine to treat coronavirus.
“It’s shown very encouraging — very, very encouraging early results. And we’re going to be able to make that drug available almost immediately. And that’s where the FDA has been so great. They — they’ve gone through the approval process; it’s been approved.  Trump said. This led to overdose of the drugs in many countries including Nigeria before FDA  issued a statement disapproving the use.

Now the drugs has been approved. But while there’s limited evidence on the efficacy of chloroquine, or hydroxychloroquine, the FDA said the drugs’ benefits outweighed their risk. In its letter, the FDA encouraged randomized clinical trials that could assess the effectiveness of the drugs. It also noted that the known and potential benefits outweigh the risks.

The authorization is limited to patients who are currently hospitalized and weigh at least 50kg, or about 110 pounds. Under the emergency use authorization, health care providers must contact their local or state health department to access the drugs.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday announced the cessation of movement in Lagos,  Abuja and Ogun States for 14 days as part of measures to curb the spread of coronavirus.

The curfew takes effect from Monday March 30th at 11pm.

Part of the announcement reads:

”Based on the advice of the Federal Ministry of Health and the NCDC, I am directing the cessation of all movements in Lagos and the FCT for an initial period of 14 days with effect from 11pm on Monday, 30th March 2020. This restriction will also apply to Ogun State due to its close proximity to Lagos and the high traffic between the two States. (more…)

The Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi on Sunday has directed residents to stay at home from Monday March 30th till April 13th.

The statement announced shutdown of all borders and imposed a ban on all commercial activities in the states as well as intra state travels, except for those bordering on essential services violators risked a six-month jail term.

He said: ” It is very disappointing that some of us have either been lukewarm, nonchalant or downright defiant in observing the simple but extremely effective preventive measures as well as maintaining social distancing to protect themselves from infection and curtail the spread of the virus in their communities. (more…)