The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has on Tuesday announced that Nigeria is currently experiencing a fourth wave of the COVID-19, following the recent surge of confirmed cases in the country. The Director-General, NCDC, Dr. Ifeday Adetifa made the announcement in a statement on Monday, saying the development was sequel to the 500 percent increase in COVID-19 cases recorded in the past two weeks.
“Nigeria has recorded a 500% increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases over the past two weeks across the country caused by the Delta and Omicron variants,” the statement reads.
“As of 19th December 2021, a total of 223,887 cases and 2985 deaths have been recorded in Nigeria across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“The country is now in a fourth COVID-19 wave.”
Adetifa disclosed that the NCDC is launching its yuletide season campaign "#CelebrateResponsibly" in line with the #TakerResponsibility campaign to further “to promote adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures during this festive period”.
Adetifa further urged Nigerians to adhere to the NCDC stipulated guidelines during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
“The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is launching its yuletide season campaign themed #CelebrateResponsibly as part of the #TakeResponsibility campaign which began in February 2020,” the NCDC boss said.
“#CelebrateResponsibly focuses specifically on measures Nigerians need to take to protect themselves and loved ones from COVID-19 during this period.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the presidential steering committee on COVID-19, the Federal Ministry of Health, as well as NCDC and its partners, are therefore intensifying risk communication efforts to remind Nigerians of the risk we face and need to take collective responsibility to reduce transmission of the virus.
“The response to COVID-19 requires a whole-of-society approach. Therefore, individuals, families and institutions also need to play their part in protecting each other by ensuring adherence to COVID-19 public health and social measures.
“Critically, Nigerians are urged to adhere to recommended measures by NCDC and other public health authorities, as they celebrate Christmas and New Year.”
