As Nigeria recorded 30,748 confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) with 499 new infections on Thursday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) warns that underlying medical conditions always put an individual at higher risk of the virus.
NCDC said also said five deaths was recorded. Giving the breakdown for Thursday,the health agency said that out of the 30,748 confirmed cases, 12,546 had been treated and discharged while 689 deaths was recorded nationwide.
The agency said that the 499 new cases was reported in 24 States of the federation and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with Lagos having the highest number of 157; Edo (59); Ondo (56); Oyo (31); Akwa Ibom (22); Borno (21) and Plateau (19).
According to the agency, Kaduna has (18); Katsina (18); Bayelsa (17); FCT (17); Delta (14); Kano (11); Rivers (10); Enugu (8); Ogun (6); Kwara (4); Imo (3); Nasarawa (2); Osun (2); Abia (1); Ekiti (1); Niger (1) and Yobe (1).
Meanwhile, the agency has restated that COVID-19 is different from malaria, noting that “underlying medical conditions always put an individual at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.”
The NCDC advised Nigerians to adhere to recommended measures and protocols, including physical distancing, hand hygiene and use of face masks.
Stating that the agency is ready to work with all stakeholders to ensure that the spread of the virus is curtailed, it said that it is prepared for Nigerians to come up for tests as it has enough test laboratories.
The agency, it noted, started with five testing laboratories in the beginning of the COVID-19 response but now has 40 laboratories.
Saying “collective responsibility is key,” the NCDC said that it remained committed to working with every State to tackle the burden of COVID-19 across Nigeria.