COVID-19: NCDC confirms six new deaths, 356 infections

As the country gradually settles into what the presidential task force (PTF) on COVID-19 describes as similar to a second wave of infections, Nigeria’s fatality toll recorded another rise with six new deaths confirmed on Monday.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed the new deaths in its update for December 21, 2020.

With the Monday figure, the country has recorded 30 deaths within the past one week.

Although the number of new cases dropped to its lowest in the past week with 356 positive samples confirmed on Monday, Nigeria has recorded more than 5,000 fresh infections within the past seven days.

The country also recorded its highest single-day count on December 17 with 1,145 new positive samples.

However, the number of recoveries also decreased significantly over the past 24 hours with 180 people discharged on Monday – 59 patients were confirmed to have recovered in Lagos.

Out of 78,790 cases now confirmed across the country, 68,483 recoveries and 1,227 deaths have been recorded, while 9,080 are still active cases.

356 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria;

FCT-79
Lagos-59
Kaduna-56
Katsina-37
Nasarawa-30
Kano-25
Edo-18
Gombe-14
Kebbi-12
Akwa Ibom-7
Rivers-7
Sokoto-7
Abia-3
Ogun-1
Cross River -1

78,790 confirmed
68,483 discharged
1,227 deaths pic.twitter.com/GckLF4BDph

— NCDC (@NCDCgov) December 21, 2020

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Meanwhile, the PTF has issued new directives which will be implemented over the next five weeks as part of efforts to reduce the infection rate.

Boss Mustapha, chairman of the PTF and secretary to the government of the federation, announced the new measures at a media briefing on Monday.

Some of the measures include restricting gatherings to 50 persons, religious centres to operate at 50 percent capacity, and mandatory use of face masks.

Mustapha, who noted that the PTF will meet with President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday to provide an update on the situation so far, also mentioned discussions around restricting flights over the new strain of COVID-19 discovered in the UK.

“A lot of discussion is still going on around the calls for the restriction of international travels due to the discovery of new strains of the virus in certain countries. The PTF, Aviation and health authorities including the WHO are assessing the situation closely and would take a position as soon as cogent scientific basis are established,” he said.

“The protection of Nigerians remains our primary concern and we reassure Nigerians of our resolve not to relent.”