The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has yesterday confirmed 417 new cases of coronavirus pushing the toll now to 49,485 in the country. The Health Agency made this known yesterday through its official twitter handle, saying they have recorded two deaths. NCDC revealed that as at yesterday, 49,485 cases have been confirmed in the country and 36,834 persons have been discharged while 977 persons could not make it across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. Meanwhile, the new 417 cases reported yesterday were from 17 states of the federation.
They disclosed that Lagos state is the epicentre of the deadly virus has continued to top the list with 207 cases, while Kaduna state reported 44 cases, Ondo 38, Abia 28, Anambra 21 and Plateau state 20.
Others were, Bauchi 13, Ebonyi and Oyo each have 9, while Edo and Delta each has 7 cases, Enugu 6, Niger 3, Gombe 2; Ogun 1; FCT and Kano each have 1 case.
NCDC revealed that contrary to speculation from some quarters, all samples were being collected from designated centres and not from Airport.
The coordinator of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 pleaded with Nigerian to continue to abide by the set protocol for the coronavirus in other to remain safe. According to him, only through testing that we can estimate the actual burden of COVID-19 in the country.
He said “Our improvement in testing shows the testing infrastructure is not the challenge, but in building a health care delivery system to serve the Nigerians,” NCDC said that people with mild forms of COVID-19 may look healthy and would be able to go about their normal activity.
The agency further enjoins populace to take responsibility to prevent the spreading of the coronavirus whether knowingly or otherwise to their neighbours. Physical distancing in public places and frequent hand washing should be given priority.
The DG of the NCDC revealed that his office is working hard to bring the collection and testing centre to the doorsteps of most Nigerians, adding that they are working with both secondary and tertiary health facilities across the country so that anybody who wishes to be tested when they get into any health facility can do so. (NAN)
