By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has issued a public health advisory amid the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in the country and globally as the nation is set to celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir holidays.
Business Post had on Thursday reported that the federal government declared public holidays for Monday, July 11 and Tuesday, July 12 to mark Sallah tomorrow.
The Nigerian infectious diseases authority on Friday issued the warning as the number of weekly COVID-19 cases has increased globally for the third consecutive week – according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“This is based on the prevailing risk from the virus and the need for religious organisations, community leaders, and Nigerians, in general, to take necessary precautions ahead of the upcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
“Similarly, our national surveillance system has detected a gradual increase in the daily COVID-19 cases recorded in the country. Although confirmed cases increased from 267 to 445 between weeks 21 to 24, hospitalisation and fatalities have remained low suggesting these are mostly mild to moderate cases or we are in the lag phase before we see the accompanying increase in severe disease and hospitalisation,” the agency said.
Since Nigeria’s first case was detected on February 27, 2020, authorities have confirmed 256,695 cases with 3,144 deaths across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Genomic surveillance, according to the NCDC, confirms omicron and its various offspring (sub lineages) remain the dominant circulating variant of concern associated with the spread of the disease in the country.
It explained that the recent increase in cases may be in part or whole due to increased testing over the last few weeks, increased circulation of omicron sub-lineages (BA.4 and BA.5 as seen elsewhere), an increase in seasonal illness with cold and cough symptoms, as well as poor adherence to preventive measures such as the use of masks.
Authorities said they have continued to maintain active surveillance and support states to ensure that access to testing was provided for prompt management of confirmed cases, and coordinate genomic surveillance to detect emerging variants.
“Our focus is to ensure response continuity for COVID-19 and improve our health system while giving needed attention to other priorities within our mandate including the ongoing monkeypox response,” the agency said.
“In addition to the COVID-19 situation in Nigeria and globally, the upcoming Eid-El-Kabir celebrations against a backdrop of suboptimal COVID-19 vaccination uptake and increasing COVID-19 case numbers calls for increased individual and collective responsibility.
“The virus that causes COVID-19 is more likely to spread in mass gatherings and when people do not adhere to preventive measures such as physical distancing, mask use, and hand hygiene.
“As we celebrate, we urge Nigerians to prevent the onset of a full-fledged fifth COVID-19 wave by remaining mindful of the high risk of spread of COVID-19 and acting in tandem by adhering to recommended public health safety measures,” it noted.