NCDC confirmed 32 novel COVID-19 Delta variants in five states

32 Delta variant coronavirus (COVID-19) infections have been verified by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in five states throughout the country.

The NCDC’s Director-General, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, confirmed the news during the Presidential Steering Committee’s resumed briefing on Monday in Abuja, citing Akwa Ibom State as having nine of the cases.

Strive for Nigeria’s unity, NYSC DG urges prospective corps members

Lagos, Rivers, and Oyo states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), are among the other areas in the country where at least one case of the Delta form of COVID-19 has been verified, according to the NCDC chief.
According to Ihekweazu, the agency has increased its sequencing capability in order to gain a better knowledge of the burden of the country’s worry variations.

He stated that the country has the ability to sequence the variations, adding that Lagos state alone had three laboratories capable of doing so, in addition to the ACEGID lab in Ede and the NCDC’s National Reference Lab.

“We will continue to increase the number of samples sequenced weekly as part of our surveillance,” Ikekweazu said, emphasizing that the danger of viral mutation was higher when the virus was being spread widely.

“While sequencing is critical for us to understand the issue, handwashing, physical separation, and correct usage of face masks are critical for preventing the virus from spreading,” he added.

He emphasized that Nigerians must continue to follow all preventative recommendations to avoid contracting the COVID-19 virus, and that herd immunity can only be developed when more than 50% of the population has been vaccinated.