Economic, Business Activities Boom Amid Rise in COVID-19 Cases

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Economic and business activities are beginning to rise despite a spike in the cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria.

According to an analysis by P+ Measurement, in the month of July, the country witnessed the highest number of cases in week 3 and the highest number of deaths in week 2.

Data gathered from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) showed that the country recorded a total number of 17,457 new cases, 9,819 persons recovered and 289 deaths were recorded in the month of July.

This shows an increase compared to 15,532 in the number of confirmed cases, 6,739 discharged except the decline in the number of deaths with 303 recorded in the month of June.

But in the midst of this, economic and business activities in Nigeria are gradually shaping up as more people are starting to go about their normal businesses.

Three of the key states in the country were put on lockdown for weeks by the federal government as part of efforts to control the spread of the virus.

Last weekend, Lagos State allowed worship centres to reopen after being shut since March 2020, while in Ogun State, churches and mosques would be allowed to reopen this weekend.

However, schools in the country have remained shut, with only those in the exit classes in the senior secondary schools allowed to resume for their external examination.

In the report by P+ Measurement, Nigeria has recorded 43,151 number of cases, 19,565 persons have been successfully discharged and 879 deaths as at 31st July with fears that the country has not gotten to its peak yet.

As the world continues to battle with the spread of the virus, a World Health Organization (WHO) expert, Mike Ryan (Head of WHO’s emergencies programme) has revealed recently that the first use of COVID-19 vaccine cannot be expected until early 2021.

He further stated that the UN health agency is working to ensure fair vaccine distribution, but in the meantime, it is key to suppress the virus’ spread.

Meanwhile, in Nigeria, the federal government has extended the current phase of eased lockdown by four weeks while all existing protocols will be retained throughout this period.