NCDC says highly infectious Delta Covid-19, a dominant variant in Nigeria, urges people to get vaccines

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Delta variant of Covid-19 remains the dominant strain of the virus in the country, and people are encouraged to get vaccines to reduce their risk of infection.

Ifedayo Adetifa, Director-General of the NCDC, made the appeal on Monday at the bi-weekly national briefing on COVID-19 in Abuja.

Adetifa, represented by Yahaya Disu, the centre’s risk communication head, stated that the Delta variant has overwhelmingly dominated the country’s isolation centers, adding that countries in Europe have begun to reintroduce restrictions, some of which have resulted in national demonstrations and unrest.

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“Cases have increased dramatically in Austria, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy.” “We must note that these are regions with significantly high vaccination rates, but they are seeing surges in COVID-19, prompting them to make vaccinations mandatory to counter the virus transmission that unvaccinated people pose,” he said.

“I bring this up to remind you that COVID-19 is still wreaking havoc in other countries, and we must not take our current situation for granted.”

“Instead, we must continue to use preventive measures, protect our health, and accept responsibility.” We can collaborate, as we have in this long-term response to COVID-19.”

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Adetifa urged people to get the COVID-19 vaccine if they had not already, noting that it was safe, effective, and would reduce the occurrences of severe diseases and deaths. He also stated that laboratories for COVID-19 testing are still available, and he urged Nigerians to get tested if they have COVID-19 symptoms.

“Do not dismiss symptoms as being caused by malaria or a common cold.” “By listening to the public and responding effectively, we are working to strengthen COVID-19 risk communications through innovative and targeted means,” he said.

“The team is currently collaborating on the development of a COVID-19 response sustainability plan as well as an intra-action review to strategize on ways to re-energize the response.”