Covid-19: Infection rates increase to 761% in Nigeria; NCDC cautions


By Muyiwa Akintunde 

In the last 11 months, the Covid-19 situation in Nigeria has not been as scary as it has become in the last fortnight.

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), about 761 per cent increase in infection cases were recorded within the period under review. 

The figure comes to 8,916 between 5th and 18th December, as against 1,035 new cases between 21st November and 4th December.

The daily count however dropped day-on-day from 828 on Saturday to 404 yesterday. 

Unlike Lagos State, which leads the daily chart most of the time, Oyo assumed that unenviable position in the latest report with 122 cases, followed by the Federal Capital Territory (84) and the Lagos (52).

Other states with new infections are: Kaduna (51), Imo (20), Delta (18), Kano (17), Kwara (16), Rivers (11), Enugu (10), Ogun (2) and Edo (1).

As at Sunday, Nigeria had 223,887 Covid cases but  9,365 of this number is active.

International travellers have been the major source of transmission of the virus in the country, according to the NCDC, which reported that no fewer than 845 passengers tested positive within one week.

According to the disease control agency, the country has continued to witness a surge in the number of travellers who test positive to the coronavirus both at point of entries and at point of departure.

While in epidemiological week 48, 235 passengers tested positive, that increased to 845 in week 49.

The NCDC said that the Covid's Omicron variant may also lead to several other mutations.

The agency warned: “The spread of Covid-19 variants of concern including the Omicron variant may lead to a surge in cases globally due to mutations which could give the SARS-CoV-2 virus a specific advantage such as increased transmissibility, possibility of more severe illness or evasion of tests currently used for the detection of COVID-19.

“Importantly, this holiday season, we advise everyone to avoid non-essential travel, both international and national while research is ongoing to better understand Omicron and its impact on the national and global response to COVID-19".

Nigeria has conducted 3,686,403 Covid tests  since February last year when the index case was recorded.

Meanwhile, the NCDC warned on Sunday against non-essential local and international travels during the festive period as Covid-19 cases continued to rise in the country.

In the same breath, the Lagos State Government vowed to get tough with violators of compulsory tests for international inbound passengers.

Other states are reportedly taking tough measures to curtail the virus. But this is coming at a festive season that is noted for heavy local and international travels.

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