Over 4,000 Cases Recorded In 24 Hours, Says NCDC

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed that in 24 hours, more than 4,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases have been recorded across the country.

The NCDC stated that the recent spike in COVID-19 cases across the country is as a result of the Omicron variant.

The epidemiological data showed that Lagos State is currently driving the fourth wave of the pandemic, as earlier stated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the NCDC.

The confirmation came as the Federal Government, through the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 (PSC), the WHO and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) urged Nigerians to celebrate the Christmas and New Year holidays responsibly.

It added that there is an increasing trend in the number of hospitalised persons in isolations.

The agency, however, warned that should the increasing trend continue and to prevent the healthcare system from being overwhelmed, the Federal Government may reintroduce certain stringent measures like curfews, restrictions on gatherings etc.

According to the NCDC, as of December 22, Lagos accounted for 3,393 COVID-19 cases, representing 84 per cent of the total cases of 4,035 reported in a single day.

It, therefore, urged Nigerians to be cautious, especially during the yuletide season, which has the innate potential to escalate cases of COVID-19, particularly through the Delta and Omicron variants.

According to the NCDC, a total of 231,413 confirmed cases have been reported in the country, with 211,853 discharges, and sadly, 2,991 people have lost their lives.

PSC COVID-19 Chairman, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, in a statement yesterday in Abuja, said: “As we prepare to celebrate with our families and loved ones, it is important that we do so safely by taking the necessary precautionary measures to stop the further spread of COVID-19 in our country.

“Nigeria is now experiencing the 4th wave COVID- 19 as new cases have continued to rise.

“This is the result of a mix of very low vaccination coverage, increased travels and movements, reduced compliance to public health social measures and highly transmissible Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant now circulating in the country,” he added.