Nigeria Has Recorded 500% Infection Increase In Two Weeks – NCDC

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control on  Monday said with 500 per cent increase in cases recorded within two weeks, the country had entered the fourth wave of COVID-19.

The NCDC disclosed this in a statement  by the Director General, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa and made available to journalists on Monday evening.

The centre disclosed this just as data obtained from the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency showed that 17 states and the Federal Capital Territory had started  administering booster shots  of COVID-19.

Commenting on the increasing COVID-19 cases, the NCDC advised Nigerians to be cautious during the Yuletide season.

The centre in the statement by its Director-General stated, “Nigeria has recorded a 500 per cent increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases over the past two weeks across the country caused by the Delta and Omicron variants. As of  December 19, 2021, a total of 223,887 cases and 2,985 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. 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.

-Punch