• Lagos, FCT, Rivers, Kano flash points

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has warned of a possible fifth wave of the Covid-19 virus in the country, given the resurgence in the number of confirmed cases. It disclosed that about 1,332 cases were recorded in one week.

It called on states to ramp up testing as it asked Nigerians to embrace the safety protocols to curb the spread of the virus. “In the last eight weeks, the test positivity ratio has continued to increase,” the NCDC added.

By July 22, 2022, Nigeria has recorded no fewer than 260,339 confirmed cases. While 253,566 cases have been successfully discharged, 3,147 lost their lives to complications arising from the virus.

As of Friday, the World Health Organisation reported that there were over 565 million cases globally, out of which over 6.3 million persons lost their lives. About 9,181,118 cases had however been confirmed in Africa. It noted also that over 12 billion doses of vaccines of the virus, covering first, second and booster jabs, had been administered as of July 19.

NCDC data obtained on Saturday from the latest situation report of the disease however revealed that testing in the country had reduced by 53.42 per cent.

According to the NCDC data, the country recorded 478 new cases between July 16 and 18, with Lagos State having 325 cases; Rivers State, 60; Federal Capital Territory, 29; Delta State, 25; Edo State, 17; Oyo State, eight; Kano State, six; Bayelsa four; and Ekiti four.

From July 19 to 20, not less than 235 confirmed cases were recorded in six states and the FCT. Lagos had 138; Rivers, 36; Delta, 21; Kaduna, 17; FCT, 13; Edo, nine; and Kano, one case.

Also, from July 21 to 22, there was a sharp increase in the number of cases as the country recorded 619 new cases from Ekiti (364); Lagos (62); Rivers (58); Delta (27); FCT (22); Oyo (19); Cross River (16); Abia (14); Kano (12); Bayelsa (11); Nasarawa (eight); Gombe (three); Plateau (two) and Bauchi (one).

It was also gathered that the number of inbound and outbound passengers who tested positive was on the increase. For inbound international travellers, the NCDC noted that In weeks 25 and 26, 858 travellers were tested, out of which 28 persons tested positive, compared to 17 out of the 904 persons tested in weeks 23 and 24.

Also, in weeks 25 and 26, 4,447 outbound international travellers were tested, out of which 133 persons tested positive, compared to 52 out of 3,987 that tested positive in weeks 23 and 24.

Though no death was reported during the referenced period, the NCDC noted, “In the last eight weeks, the test positivity ratio has continued to increase with the highest increase being in this reporting week. Majority of the cases were reported from Lagos, FCT, Rivers and Kano states.”

The NCDC, however, said hospitalization and fatalities had remained low, suggesting the recorded cases were mostly mild to moderate. It noted in its report that it had reached out to states to increase their testing, adding that addition of laboratories was ongoing.

According to the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, as of Friday, 26,127,761 persons have been fully vaccinated in Nigeria, representing 23.4 per cent of the total eligible population, while 11,819,911 have been partially vaccinated.

Meanwhile, Ekiti State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani, said on Saturday that the state recorded 74 fresh cases, which necessitated the reactivation of the preventive measures.

Filani said residents must adhere to the measures including wearing of face masks in public gatherings, proper handwashing in a flowing water or use of alcohol-based hand sanitiser, social or physical distancing, reporting at the nearest health facility when sick, getting tested and isolating if positive, and adherence to Covid-19 measures by banks and other institutions.

In a statement titled, ‘Ekiti announces return to strict COVID-19 preventive measures to mitigate increasing nationwide spread’, the commissioner harped on the efficacy of the Covid-19 vaccines, saying, “Vaccination remains the most effective means of curbing this pandemic and we encourage all residents of the state to get vaccinated. As at today (Saturday), 384,730 persons are fully vaccinated (in Ekiti State). However, this is not sufficient to achieve herd immunity, hence the re-enforcement of preventive protocols.”

“As the state Ministry of Health continues to monitor the recent increase in Covid-19 cases across the country and a recent spike in the state with 74 persons currently positive, all residents of Ekiti State are hereby advised to adhere strictly to the government’s public health and social measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

He asked residents of the state to visit vaccination posts nearest to them for their complete jabs.