The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC has said that the country is currently experiencing a fourth wave of coronavirus disease following the recent surge in cases and deaths.
This was made known in a statement issued and made available to journalists on Monday night by the Director-General of the agency, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa.
He said the development was sequel to the 500 per cent increase in the number of cases being recorded in the past two weeks.
NCDC also warned Nigerians against violating the COVID-19 guidelines during the yuletide, stressing that everyone needs to play their part in ensuring that all citizens including the vulnerable ones are protected against the disease.
The statement read, “Nigeria has recorded a 500% increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases over the past two weeks across the country caused by the Delta and Omicron variants. As of 19th December 2021, a total of 223,887 cases and 2985 deaths have been recorded in Nigeria across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“The country is now in a fourth COVID-19 wave. The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, the Federal Ministry of Health, as well as NCDC and its partners, are therefore intensifying risk communication efforts to remind Nigerians of the risk we face and need to take collective responsibility to reduce transmission of the virus.
The response to COVID-19 requires a whole-of-society approach. Therefore, individuals, families and institutions also need to play their part in protecting each other by ensuring adherence to COVID-19 public health and social measures. Critically, Nigerians are urged to adhere to recommended measures by NCDC and other public health authorities, as they celebrate Christmas and New Year.
