The federal government has called on Nigerians to be vigilant and ensure that they get vaccinated due to the development of COVID-19 resurgence variants in China and other countries in Europe.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, made the disclosure on Monday in Abuja, as the ministry and its agencies brief the press on the recent update of COVID-19 across the globe.
Ehanire also revealed that the resurgence is not only in China, but there is an increase in America and Europe. Adding that it is something that is generally seen as seasonal.
“It is not unexpected during the winter months. Generally as observed the last few years there’s an increase so the recent relaxation of COVID-19 in China also affected with the removals of travel restriction and together those countries that are not restricted.
“Not that there is really a new variant but for the sub variants known as my omicron virus and the sub variants due to temperature dropping, but in Nigeria it is just harmattan season.
“The Ministry of Health continues to maintain vigilance and a high level of preparedness especially at our points of entry,” the minister said.
Speaking on, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, Director General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) disclosed that worldwide as at January, 660 million confirmed cases, and about 10% of those 6.7 million deaths have been associated with the cases unfortunately.
He further revealed that from 26th December 2022 to 1st January 2023, there were 3 million new cases out of 10,000 deaths reported worldwide overall.
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“This represents an actual reduction in weekly cases and deaths of 22% and 12%, respectively, for the African region of which we are part of the reports we have 3% and 22% decrease in new cases and deaths compared to the previous week.
“This includes North and South America, and Western Pacific countries of course, including China, and Japan.
“There have been some 84% and 29% increase in cases respectively, and these cases have been associated with a 49% and 35% increase in deaths, respectively for the Americas and the Western Pacific,” he added.
Also, Dr Faisal Shualb, Director of National Primary Healthcare Development Agency
(NPHCDA) who was represented by Dr. Garba Bulama, Director of Planning Research and Statistics revealed that this year, the agency has seen an increase in the number of eligible population from 11,773,503 to 115,983,921 as a result of an increase in the number of persons who turned 18 years.
He explained that, 1% of all Covid cases at the start of December, estimates from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that it surged to become the dominant strain by the end of the month, responsible for about 41% of all infections, in northeastern states, that figure has jumped above 70%.
“The increase in the number of cases seen globally is as a result of the mutation that is occurring and the low intake of booster doses.
“We are therefore calling on all Nigerians to ensure that they take their booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccines. Just like the flu vaccine, the COVID-19 vaccines have become routine vaccines that help protect us against this deadly virus.
“We are continuously working with all stakeholders at National, State and Local Government to increase awareness, social mobilization and increase coverage.
“As at January 7, 2023, Nigeria has a vaccine stock balance of 28,968,045 doses. More vaccines are still expected over the coming weeks,” he said.
