The Nigeria Centre for Disease and Prevention Control (NCDC) has raised the alarm over the spike of the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infections in the country, as it has recorded fresh 880 infections between July 2 and 8, 2022.
In a communication on its official website at the weekend, the NCDC warned of a fifth surge of the infection as Nigerians observed the Eid holidays.
According to the report, the country’s commercial capital city, Lagos, is driving the nation’s latest COVID-19 surge.
Lagos, the epicentre of the virus, accounted for more than 90 per cent of the new infections with 750 cases.
The data showed that the new cases have raised Nigeria’s infection toll to 258,517, while the fatality toll still stands at 3,144.
The public health agency stated that about 4,206 people were still down with the virus while a total of 250,388 people were successfully treated and discharged so far, since the outbreak in the country in February 2020.
Apart from Lagos State, a further breakdown of the latest cases shows that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) recorded 45 cases and Rivers 40.
Delta State reported 11 cases, Akwa Ibom11 Kano 5 Nasarawa 4 and Plateau 1 cases, respectively.
The agency said that Abia, Kaduna and Sokoto states reported no case within the time frame.
The NCDC said, in the light of the prevailing risk from the virus, there remains the need for religious organisations, community leaders and Nigerians to take necessary precautions during the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
It added that the number of weekly COVID-19 cases has increased globally for the third consecutive week.
The agency said that COVID-19 may have severe complications in the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions.
“Take extra precautions to stay safe, avoid crowded places, maintain distance from anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness and ash your hands regularly,” it advised.
The public health agency said that it is committed to preserving the health of the citizens.
“We serve, even as we battle concurrent public health threats – COVID-19, monkeypox, cholera, etc. Our interest is not in delivering bad news but in equipping citizens with the information they need to stay safe.
“We are being reminded that COVID-19 has not gone away. I understand the fatigue and urge to return to our normal lives. We can do this whilst staying safe as we continue to celebrate responsibly and act to prevent a fifth COVID-19 wave.”
Recall that the much-awaited summer lull in coronavirus cases does not appear to be happening as COVID-19 infections continue to increase in much of the United States.
An earlier rise in cases this year was driven by the BA.2 Omicron subvariant. Now, the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that two other subvariant BA.4 and BA.5, constitute more than 70 per cent of new infections in the country.
These subvariants may partially escape the immunity produced by the vaccine and by prior infection, though vaccination still likely protects against severe illness.
Meanwhile, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) said vaccines and boosters continue to provide excellent protection against severe diseases.
According to health experts, immunity wanes over time and there does appear to be some immunity from BA.4 and BA.5 in particular.
That means people who are vaccinated and boosted are unlikely to become severely ill if they contract COVID-19, even though they could still become infected.
