The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported 12 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 168,552 as of July 11.
The NCDC disclosed this on its website handle on Monday morning.
It disclosed that the 12 additional coronavirus infections and two additional COVID-19 related death were reported in three states.
“Akwa Ibom-6, Ogun-4 and Rivers-2. Today’s report includes zero cases reported from Ekiti, FCT, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Nasarawa, Oyo, Plateau, and Sokoto States,” it stated.
It noted that eight people who have recovered from the disease have been discharged from isolation centres across the country.
The NCDC said that until date, a total of 164, 439 cases have been discharged and 2,124 deaths recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
It added that the nation’s active cases stood at 1,989.
The public health agency said that a multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 2, continues to coordinate the national response activities.
The agency stated that the country had tested a total of 2,331,734 samples from its over 200 million people.
Delta variant in Oyo
Meanwhile, The Oyo State Coronavirus Task Force says it has uncovered the Delta variant of the virus in the state.
A statement by Mr Taiwo Adisa, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Seyi Makinde, issued on behalf of the taskforce on Sunday in Ibadan, said the general public should be informed of the Delta variant of the virus in the state.
Adisa said the State’s Incident Manager and coordinator of the Emergency Operations Centre, Dr Olabode Ladipo, has confirmed the development.
He said the general public should take extra caution and consistently apply all precautionary measures earlier released by the task force.
The statement read: “This strain has been associated with high transmission, increase severity of infection and outcomes.
“As such, this is to warn that the virus is still very much within the society.”
“All in-bound travellers should always isolate for seven days and submit themselves for tests.
“The ‘Own Your Action’ (OYA) initiative of the state government should be seriously considered by adhering to the guidelines of wearing nose masks in public gatherings, washing of hands with soap and water and use of hand sanitisers, among others.
“The State COVID-19 TaskForce hereby appeals to the good people of Oyo State to comply with these and other advisories as they apply to individuals and organisations.
“It would be appreciated if all in-bound travellers from abroad maintain the mandatory seven-day isolation and subsequent testing before mingling with the populace.
“In addition, residents are enjoined to seek medical care and cease the opportunity of free testing whenever they feel unwell.
“Vigilance on the parts of both the Government and the people will surely go a long way in stemming the transmission of this disease within the state”.
In Lagos, only 1% of Lagos residents received 2nd dose vaccination – Sanwo-Olu
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday said that only 1 per cent of Lagos residents received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Sanwo-Olu made this known in the update of the coronavirus pandemic situation in Lagos State.
He said that one of the major tenets of the mitigation strategy against the third wave of COVID-19 is the vaccination campaign, as applicable in other parts of the world.
The Chief Incident Commander (the governor) said that it has been observed by various credible studies that those who received their vaccines had demonstrated significant resistance to the effects of the virus, with fewer associated complications and deaths.
”As of today, however, the percentage of residents of Lagos who have received two doses of the vaccine stands at a mere 1 per cent.
”We recognise that this is not adequate, and given the imminent third wave, and our priority to reduce COVID-19 related deaths.
”We are exploring all avenues possible to ramp up access to vaccination, so as to reach our herd immunity target of at least 60 per cent COVID-19 vaccination coverage of the population of Lagos State.
”We are confident that we will be getting a second batch of vaccines very soon, to kick-start the second phase of vaccinations,” he said.
The governor said that while the federal and state governments had a huge role to play in the management of COVID-19 pandemic, the responsibility of managing the third wave ultimately belongs to all Nigerians.
He said that without the cooperation of the public, the country stands the risks of losing both lives and livelihood on a devastating scale.
According to him, this is not the time to get tired or complacent, instead, all must be re-energised to battle the invisible and seemingly relentless enemy – COVID-19.
”After almost 18 months of daily confronting this virus, it is understandable that many are tired and want their old, pre-pandemic lives to return.
”Unfortunately, we do not have a choice in this regard, and fatigue is not an option. We cannot afford to be tired, frustrated or distracted.
”The enemy is formidable – and opportunistic. It will only go as far as we allow it.
”Having triumphed over the first and second waves of the pandemic, we must now find within ourselves new reserves of energy to quell this emerging third wave before it snowballs out of control.
”Let me assure us all that victory over COVID-19 is much closer today than at any other point in our recent history,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu, therefore, said that all must persevere to see the victory and must maintain vigilance even as states and country ramp up the vaccination coverage.
... and 18% in-bound passengers not traceable
Mr. also said that 18 per cent of passengers that arrived Lagos through Murtala Mohammed Airport cannot be traced for COVID-19 quarantine.
He said that between May 8, 2021 and July 7, 2021, a total of 50,322 passengers of interest arrived in Lagos via the Murtala Mohammed Airport.
”Of the 50,322 passengers, 18 per cent could not be reached by EKOTELEMED because of the provision of either wrong numbers or wrong Nigerian contact details to be reached on,” the Chief Incident Commander said.
He said that it was the responsibility of passengers to ensure they provided the right details for them to be reached for proper monitoring.
”Going forward, passengers that do not provide the right details, including a phone number they can be reached for monitoring and an address for isolation, will face serious sanctions, including fines and imprisonment according to our Lagos State Coronavirus Law of 2021.
”As dictated by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 (PSC), passengers from red-listed countries (India, South Africa, Brazil and Turkey) are required to observe mandatory isolation.
”So far, we have successfully isolated 2,386 passengers in Lagos State. Of this number, 15 per cent have absconded,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He said that sanctions were being recommended and had already been meted out to defaulters.
The governor said that the sanctions for foreigners were revocation of their Permanent Residency and deportation; while for Nigerians were prosecution to the full extent of the Lagos State COVID-19 Law.
He also said that greater vigilance was required at this time in the churches and mosques and other places of religious worship.
Sanwo-Olu said that the state was pleased that religious houses were now open for worship, after the lengthy closures of 2020, however, worshippers must not be carried away by the illusion that all was now back to normal.
”This is especially critical, as Sallah approaches, in a little over a week from now.
”The festivities will no doubt bring people together in large numbers and create conditions that can sadly cause the spread of the coronavirus. We must not allow this to happen.
”For this reason, we are mandating full compliance with all protective protocols.
”There must be compulsory use of masks in all public places, social distancing, temperature checks, provisions for hand-washing and sanitisers, and a maximum of 50 per cent occupancy in enclosed spaces,” he said.
