Nigeria is surely currently experiencing its own share of second wave of the pandemic as the country recorded on Thursday reported 1,145 new cases of COVID-19.
This is the highest ever infection recorded in one day since the pandemic was first recorded in Nigeria in late February.
Even when the country was on a total lockdown in April during what was regarded as the earlier wave of the virus, the country had not experienced the level of surge it is currently witnessing in the month of December.
Just 17 days in the month of December, the country has recorded 8,652 new cases of the disease, which is almost double the total number of cases recorded in the month of November (4,704).
Expert have already warned that a second wave of the pandemic could push Nigeria into another round of lockdown, which is currently not good for the country’s economy as it might endanger its recovery from recession.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, Lagos State, which remains epicentre of the virus in the country, recorded the highest number of infections with 459 cases; FCT, Kaduna, and Plateau confirmed 145, 138 and 80 respectively.
Other states include Katsina-70, Gombe-52, Niger-31, Kano-23, Bayelsa-21, Bauchi-18, Ondo-18, Rivers-17, Ogun-12, Oyo-12, Edo – 8, Nasarawa- 8, Ebonyi- 7, Osun- 6, Ekiti- 5, Kebbi- 5, Borno- 4, Jigawa-3, Akwa Ibom- 2 and Anambra-1.
With a population of over 200million, the country has tested only 864,104 of its citizen which clearly might not be addressing the true state of the virus in the country according to experts.
The National Economic Council, NEC yesterday in its monthly meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo also expressed alarm at the spike in COVID-19 cases in Nigeria and decided to act on the strict enforcement of measures to contain the spread of the disease across the country.
The Council noted that it “is alarmed that the current trends are now approaching or surpassing the levels reached during the lockdown imposed at the height of the epidemic earlier in the year.”
While enlarging the membership of its Ad-Hoc Committee on COVID-19 and mandating it to urgently come up with additional measures to deal with the spike in cases, NEC noted that “the country is now experiencing a huge resurgence of COVID-19 patients needing intensive care and the existing health facilities are fast becoming overwhelmed.”
It also noted that the trends show that more and more young people are getting infected. While many of the young victims may be asymptomatic or recover without serious illness, they pass the virus to older and more vulnerable people, especially people with pre-existing health conditions, who develop serious illnesses and may easily lose their lives in the process.
NEC emphasize that this increase is being accelerated by non-compliance with the non-pharmaceutical interventions advised by government, including the wearing of masks, limiting of gatherings, especially indoors and the washing/sanitization of hands.
The council urges traditional, social and religious leaders to play their own part by promptly taking responsible and decisive actions to help stop the spread and upsurge of the virus in Nigeria.
It further encourages states to take any further steps as may be considered necessary in their areas.
