Coronavirus: Cases in Nigeria now 65

TRACKING____In 24 hours, Nigeria confirmed 19 new cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19). This brings the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country to 65, since the first confirmed case was imported by an Italian. Based on the latest update on the NCDC’s official twitter handle, 14 of the 19 new cases were recorded in Lagos State, four in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and one case in Rivers State.

It further revealed that six of the new cases were travellers returning into the country, three cases were persons who were in close contact to confirmed cases, while six cases were detected on a vessel. However, the update failed to disclose how four persons contracted the dreaded disease, while noting that one new case has been discharged. Also, an updated breakdown of COVID-19 cases by states in real time revealed that Lagos was still leading with 44 cases, followed by FCT with 12 cases; Ogun has three cases while Ekiti, Oyo, Edo, Bauchi, Osun and Rivers states have recorded one case each. The NCDC, as at 9:15p.m., yesterday, revealed that out of the 65 cases in the country, there are 61 active cases, as three cases have been discharged and one death recorded.

However, there appears to be some contradictions in the data released as it fails to reflect the second confirmed case announced earlier in the day by the Bauchi State government, as well as the confirmed cases of three staff of a top presidential aide who was confirmed positive and presently on treatment at an undisclosed location.

Meanwhile, there are indications that more persons might soon be discharged if they continue to test negative after undergoing some procedures in line with global standards to ensure they no longer pose a risk to themselves and other individuals. Director General of NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, said that the agency would continue to share verified updates regarding COVID-19, and the importance of practising social distancing, regularly and thorough washing of hands with soap or alcohol based hand sanitisers.

“If you’ve travelled recently to a country with widespread transmission in the last 14 days and you’re showing symptoms of fever, cough or breathing difficulty, please stay at home and dial the NCDC toll free number: 080097000010 “We’ve highlighted the importance of social distancing in four languages – Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo and Pidgin, all on the NCDC website. “To reduce the spread of fake news, there’s a World Health Organisation (WHO), but that is available globally to receive live updates on COVID-19 on your WhatsApp. “Please share this with friends and family, let’s all do what we can to stay safe during this period. We can get through this, if we #TakeResponsibility, stay at home and reduce the spread of fake news,” he advocated.

Globally there are 468,156 cases and 21,180 deaths from COVID-19 outbreaks. COVID-19 has affected 198 countries and territories around the world. Meanwhile, another person in Bauchi State has tested positive to COVID- 19 disease, state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Aliyu Maigoro, disclosed yesterday. Updating newsmen on the situation in the state the commissioner said out of 48 samples presented for investigation, result for 38 persons had been received, out of which one tested positive. He said the state recorded 48 high risk contacts of COVID-19 from 24th to 26th March 2020. The state governor, Bala Mohammad, had also tested positive to the virus. The commissioner said the second case was a 62 year-old man. “The first case has still not shown any symptoms of COVID-19 and the second case will be moved to the management centre for proper management,” he said. Maigoro called on philanthropists and development partners to support the state in curbing the menace. “We call on philanthropists and development partners to support the state in curbing the menace with sophisticated machines and other consumables,” he pleaded. Maigoro said the state had also selected General Hospital, Bayara as an additional centre for the management of COVID- 19. Also speaking, Executive Chairman, Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, said the state government would involve security outfits in an event of non-compliance with directives on preventive measures, especially on closure of markets. He advised the public to drink more water and consume citrus fruits as a preventive measure.