Nigeria has recorded six new cases of the B117 strain of COVID-19 have been found in the country, bringing the number of cases in the country to seven.
Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Chikwe Ihekweazu confirmed this on Monday during the Presidential Task Force (PTF) briefing in the nation’s capital Abuja.
He expressed concern over the rising number of deaths in the country and noted that the Covid-19 strain which was first reported in the United Kingdom is deadlier and as such Nigerians must be careful.
Ihekweazu said there is a worrisome development in the country as in the last week, 75 health workers have reportedly tested positive.
According to the NCDC boss, rapid test kits have been approved in five hospitals within the FCT, adding that the plan is to later deploy the kits to other parts of the country.
He called on governors to approach the NCDC for guidance on how to use the kits and urged all stakeholders to help stop the increasing level of stigma around the virus, which is making many people stay away from getting tested.
Last Monday, the Presidential Task Force (PTF) announced that the Covid-19 strain first reported in the United Kingdom had been discovered in Nigeria.
By Abel Ejikeme
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