- Continues trial of chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed 315 new cases of COVID-19 in the country, bringing the total number of the infection to 12,801.
The NCDC made this known via its verified Twitter handle on Monday.
“On the 8th of June 2020, 315 new confirmed cases and 7 deaths were recorded in Nigeria. No new state has reported a case in the last 24 hours.
“Till date, 12801 cases have been confirmed, 4040 cases have been discharged and 361 deaths have been recorded in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“The 315 new cases are reported from 14 states; Lagos- 128, FCT-34, Rivers- 32, Edo- 28, Oyo- 22, Kaduna- 20, Gombe- 13, Ogun- 8, Plateau- 5, Delta- 7, Kwara- 7, Kano- 5, Bauchi- 4, Katsina- 2.”
Meanwhile, despite reports that hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine do not treat coronavirus, Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Emmanuel Ehanire, has declared that clinical trial on the anti-malaria drugs by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is still ongoing.
Ehanire said: “It is not a one-day job. Clinical trials take time. We are still testing the drugs on patients and collating results. I cannot tell you anything about the results now than that the tests are still ongoing.”
The major study of United States (U.S)-backed anti-malaria drug, hydroxychloroquine ended with ‘immediate effect’ after researchers discovered that it was ineffective.
Being the world’s biggest trial of the anti-malaria drug backed by President Donald Trump and Oxford University, scientists pulled the drug from the recovery trial after results showed it had no benefit on patients who have been hospitalised as a result of coronavirus.
Ehanire also said Nigeria is considering several vaccine candidates for COVID-19, adding: “Vaccine development involves testing for safety and efficacy. We are looking at several candidates. It is not a one-off thing. It takes a long time.
“You have to test to make sure that it is safe and that it works. You have to test it in animals first. Once the results of the clinical trials and vaccines’ tests are out, I will be the first to announce it, you would not need to ask me.”
Reacting to the controversy over the use of hydroxylchloroquine and chloroquine, Emeritus Professor of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Professor Soga Sofola said: “There have been various treatments that have been proposed including hydroxylchloroquine and chloroquine and there have been many pros and cons including endorsements by some individuals, groups and regulating body.”