Nigeria’s COVID-19 death toll exceeds 800

Almost four months after the first coronavirus-related death was recorded, more than 800 people have now died across the country.

With 12 new fatalities, a total of 801 people have now died of COVID-19 complications in 35 states and the federal capital territory (FCT).

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) also announced 562 new infections in 20 states and the FCT in its update for Monday.

According to the new figures, the FCT recorded the most cases with 102 infections, followed closely by Lagos with 100, while 52 samples tested positive in Plateau state.

A total of 228 people were also discharged on Monday, but the number of active patients has now crossed 21,000.

Out of a total of 37,225 persons confirmed to have contracted the virus, 21,091 are active cases.

562 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria;

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FCT-102
Lagos-100
Plateau-52
Kwara-50
Abia-47
Kaduna-35
Benue-34
Oyo-26
Ebonyi-24
Kano-16
Niger-15
Anambra-14
Gombe-12
Edo-11
Rivers-6
Nasarawa-5
Delta-5
Borno-3
Enugu- 2
Bauchi-2
Kebbi- 1

37,225 confirmed
15,333 discharged
801 deaths pic.twitter.com/YOnyl1KNUP

— NCDC (@NCDCgov) July 20, 2020

With more countries focusing on the production of COVID-19 vaccine, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says more efforts should go into immediate efforts to contain the spread of the virus.

Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Tedros Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO, cited the example of the Ebola response, adding that COVID-19 needs the same sense of urgency.

“Ebola and COVID-19 are different viruses but the principle is the same: No matter how bad the situation, there is always hope,” he said.

“With strong leadership, community engagement, and a comprehensive strategy to suppress transmission and save lives, COVID-19 can be stopped. We do not have to wait for a vaccine. We have to save lives now.

“Make no mistake, we must continue to accelerate vaccine research, while doing more with the tools we have at hand.”