In two weeks, Nigeria saw a 500 percent increase in Covid-19 infections, ushering in the virus’s fourth wave.
According to a statement made on Monday by Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
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Nigerians should be cautious during the Yuletide season, according to the center.
“Over the past two weeks in Nigeria, the Delta and Omicron variants have caused a 500 percent increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the country.” “A total of 223,887 cases and 2,985 deaths have been recorded in Nigeria across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory as of December 19, 2021,” according to the statement.
“We are now in the fourth COVID-19 wave in the country.” The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, the Federal Ministry of Health, NCDC, and its partners, is ramping up risk communication efforts to remind Nigerians of the threat they face and the need to take collective responsibility to reduce virus transmission.
“A whole-of-society response to COVID-19 is required.” Individuals, families, and institutions must all play a role in safeguarding one another by adhering to COVID-19 public health and social measures. Nigerians are urged to follow the NCDC’s and other public health authorities’ recommendations as they celebrate Christmas and New Year.
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“To reduce the risk of transmission, please avoid all non-essential travel within and outside Nigeria.” The virus that causes COVID-19 is more likely to spread in large crowds, especially when they are held indoors and have poor ventilation. Outdoor events with physical separation, mandatory face mask use, and hand-washing facilities or hand sanitizers are strongly recommended. Please take advantage of any and all opportunities to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The government has made these vaccines available to all eligible citizens, as well as booster doses for those who have already received them.
“We implore Nigerians to take all necessary precautions to ensure that we and our loved ones live to see many more events and celebrations.”
According to the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), 3.7 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated against the virus.
On December 9, 2021, the Federal Government announced that citizens would be free to take booster shots to activate more protection against the Omicron variant through the Executive Director of the NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shuaib.
According to the NPHCDA, booster shots were administered in the Federal Capital Territory and 17 states, including Anambra, Bauchi, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Gombe, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ogun, Oyo, Plateau, and Sokoto.
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Abia, Adamawa, Akwa-ibom, Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Ekiti, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Ondo, Osun, Rivers, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara are among the states that have yet to begin administering booster shots.
As of Monday, December 20, 2021, 4,149,032 of the total eligible population had been fully vaccinated, representing 3.7 percent of the total population.
