Chidi Samuel| Many medeical experts are expressing deep worries over the rising cases of the highly contagious coronavirus in the country, this is, even as the country on Thursday night confirmed the highest single day new infections of 745 accross the country.
According to some medical experts who spoke to Alabingo.com on the issue during the week, the rising number is a source of concern given that the number of cases in the country is grossly under reported. They were equally worried by the rising number of deaths related to COVID-19.
A medical doctor said last night, ”there is a reason why the Lagos state government cancelled the reopening of Churches and Mosques this weekend. They are looking at the data which is not available for public consumption and they are uncomfortable with what they are seeing”.
”To tell you the truth, as medical personnel, I am a bit unnerved and that is putting it mildly”.
As if to confirm the fears of the experts, the Nigeria Centre For Disease Control on Thursday said Nigeria recorded its highest single-day COVID-19 infections with 745 new cases.
According to the NCDC, Lagos State had the highest number of infections with 280 cases, followed by Oyo and Ebonyi states with 103 and 72 cases respectively.
Other states with infections include: FCT (60); Imo (46); Edo (34); Delta (33); Rivers (25); Kaduna (23); Ondo (16); Katsina (12); Kano (10); Bauchi (8); and Borno (7)
Others are Kwara (5); Gombe (4); Sokoto (2); Enugu (2); Yobe, Osun, and Nasarawa recorded 1 case each.
According to the health agency, Nigeria now has 18,480 cases of the virus with 475 deaths and 6307 persons discharges.
The tweet read, 745 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria;
Lagos-280
Oyo-103
Ebonyi-72
FCT-60
Imo-46
Edo-34
Delta-33
Rivers-25
Kaduna-23
Ondo-16
Katsina-12
Kano-10
Bauchi-8
Borno-7
Kwara-5
Gombe-4
Sokoto-2
Enugu-2
Yobe-1
Osun-1
Nasarawa-1
18,480 confirmed
6,307 discharged
475 deaths
-Nigerians will be more prone to contracting COVID-19 during the rainy season, FG warns
Meanwhile, the federal government on Thursday warned Nigerians to be watchful of increased cases of coronavirus as the country moves fully into the rainy season.
Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, who gave the warning at the daiy briefing of the Taskforce, said ”the rainy season comes with cold, catarrh, and other COVID-19 mimicking illnesses”.
According to him, Nigerians will be more prone to contracting COVID-19 than before.
He said, “Ladies and gentlemen, the journey ahead of us all is even more important than the last three months. As you are aware, the main focus is on community engagement and risk communication while not neglecting the need to obey all the guidelines and non-pharmaceutical measures.
“We, therefore, crave your buy-in so that we can collectively become champions in the efforts to wipe out the virus.
“Always remember, that the virus is real, potent, and dangerous. Our relaxed lockdown should never be interpreted to mean otherwise. This point is further underscored by a reported resurgence of the second wave in countries like China and the USA and this should put all of us on alert, knowing that this virus can only be eliminated if we agree to play our part.
“This call becomes more pertinent as we go fully into the rainy season that ordinarily brings with it cold, catarrh and other COVID-19 mimicking illnesses. Our call to take personal responsibility cannot be more strident than now.
“As we go forward, therefore, let us look forward to another three months of overwhelming successes, let us create awareness and sensitization, stop the stigmatisation of survivors and let’s encourage fellow citizens that have contracted the virus to enable them to overcome the illness.
Cover Pix: Gettyimages
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