Nigeria recorded 70 new COVID-19 cases and zero fatality on Monday, according to health agency’s data.
Monday thus became the seventh consecutive day that Nigeria recorded no fatality from the virus that has caused over 3 million deaths globally and over 2,000 deaths in Nigeria in the past year.
It stated that the additional 70 infections were registered from five states – Lagos with 27 infections, Kaduna and Ondo, 16 cases each, Yobe, six, and Bauchi, five cases.
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) disclosed this on its official Twitter handle on Monday.
70 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria;
Lagos-27
Kaduna-16
Ondo-16
Yobe-6
Bauchi-5164,303 confirmed
154,384 discharged
2,061 deaths pic.twitter.com/LSU6e0qxFP— NCDC (@NCDCgov) April 19, 2021
Meanwhile, NCDC said it has conducted 1,870,915 COVID-19 tests have been carried out in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in the country, since the beginning of the pandemic on February 27, 2020.
The health agency tested some 32,741 samples for the coronavirus in the past week; lower than 34,997 tests conducted the previous week.
It disclosed that an additional 70 people across the country were affected, bringing the total number of infections to 164,303 as of April 19, 2021.
The public health agency said that additional 52 people have been discharged after testing negative to the disease, with no coronavirus related deaths reported as of April, 19, 2021.
NCDC said, however, that the country’s active caseload increased by 18 on Monday, in addition to the 7,840 previously reported on Sunday.
It noted that a multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, had continued to coordinate the national response activities in the country.
A breakdown of cases by state can be found via https://t.co/zQrpNf5Q61 pic.twitter.com/7XhnGQqduZ
— NCDC (@NCDCgov) April 19, 2021
Meanwhile, NCDC has stated that since the start of the outbreak, the agency has worked tirelessly to achieve testing for the virus through the rapid expansion of laboratories across the country and increased surveillance activities.
It explained;
This has enabled the prompt detection of cases reported, even at our points of entry.
NCDC said that the reality of decreased transmission, test positivity rate and confirmed cases in the country do not mean that Nigerians should let their guard down.
It said there is the need for a stricter adherence to Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) such as; the proper use of face masks, frequent handwashing and maintenance of physical distance of at least two meters.
Additionally, the agency said that getting the COVID-19 vaccine “is a step towards protecting yourself, your loved ones and fellow Nigerians. It’s a step towards helping us finally get back to the things we love”.
It advised;
As of today, all people aged 18 and above are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. We have real-world data that the COVID-19 vaccines work. One of the most important things we all can do to protect our loved ones and to get back to the things we love is to get vaccinated.
Nigeria began vaccinating its citizens in March after receiving about 4 million doses of the Oxford/Astrazeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Over one million people have, so far, been vaccinated.
