Nigeria records two more deaths, 48 new COVID-19 cases

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed two deaths and 48 new COVID-19 cases.

The agency had earlier announced 49 new cases in a series of tweets on Saturday.

A breakdown of the cases on Saturday showed that 23 were recorded in Lagos, 12 in the federal capital territory (FCT), 10 in Kano, two in Ogun and one each in Oyo and Ekiti states.

However, on Sunday, NCDC said Ekiti did not record any new case.

With the announcement, Nigeria has recorded a total of 541 COVID-19 cases. The number of deaths also increased from 17 to 19, just as the number of recoveries has risen to 166 patients.

Lagos still has the highest figure of confirmed cases with 306 patients, of which 94 persons have been discharged.

Earlier on Saturday, Abba Kyari, the chief of staff to the president, was buried in Abuja, following his death from COVID-19 complications.

Kyari had tested positive for coronavirus im March, and was subsequently transferred to Lagos for medical attention.

He died at First Cardiology Consultants, a medical facility in Lagos and was buried according to Islamic rites on Saturday morning.

Meanwhile, Kano state has also witnessed a rapid increase in its number of cases within a short period.

The state recorded its index case on April 11, 2020, and by Saturday, a total of 37 persons had tested positive for coronavirus.

The state has also recorded one death.

As part of efforts to limit spread, especially outside medical facilities, the NCDC has recommended the use of face masks made of cloth, which it said can offer some form of protection.

With the use of cloth masks, it also expected that people avoid touching the nose, eyes and mouth, adhere to social distancing, as well as regular washing or sanitising of hands.