Niger state governor tests positive for COVID-19

Abubakar Bello, governor of Niger state, has tested positive for coronavirus.

The governor broke the news in a tweet on Monday afternoon.

“I have tested positive to #COVID19. However, I am asymptomatic and have gone into isolation,” he tweeted.

I have tested positive to #COVID19. However, I am asymptomatic and have gone into isolation.

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— Niger State Government (@GovNigerNG) November 9, 2020

The development comes after the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said a second wave of COVID-19 pandemic is still possible in Nigeria despite the reduction in cases in recent weeks.

At a media briefing organised by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Chikwe Ihekweazu, director-general of NCDC, said disobeying the safety guidelines could lead to a spike in cases.

After months of lockdown, the federal government eased restrictions that were in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

About two months after domestic flights resumed in July, civil servants also returned to work while schools were reopened.

Data from the NCDC, however, show Nigeria has averaged about 150 cases in the last months, in contrast to the 500 and above being recorded before reopening.

But Ihekweazu said the fight against COVID-19 is far from over.

United Kingdom and France are among the countries currently experiencing the second wave of COVID-19 lockdown.