The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced 108 new cases of Covid-19 in Nigeria, bringing the full number of confirmed cases in the country to 981. This is the second-highest national daily tally after the 117 cases recorded on April 21.
The latest tally represents a 12.3% increase.
Lagos, with the highest number of cases recorded so far (582), broke its own daily record set just 24-hours ago (74) as it records 78 cases in the new report. This represents a 15.4% increase from the previous figures.
Abuja with the second-highest coronavirus cases in Nigeria, recorded 14 new cases to close the day with 133 total cases, up from 119. This marks an 11.7% increase. As the capacity for testing improves, we might expect to see more cases.
Nigeria has conducted more than 9,000 Covid-19 tests so far. This figure is very poor if you consider our sheer population and the fact that other African countries with far fewer population and far lesser resources are doing far better.
Debutant
This latest report marks the entry of Plateau into the Covid-19 register as the state recorded its first case of the virus. Plateau, therefore, finds itself in the company of recent debutant, Adamawa, Benue, Anambra and Sokoto all with one case appease.
States yet to record a single case now include Cross River, Imo, Kebbi, Kogi, Nassarawa and Taraba. Others are Zamfara, Yobe, Ebonyi and Bayelsa.
Recovery rate stagnant for 2 days as death rate increases
According to the latest figures, the number of recovered and discharged cases still stands at 197. This marks a two-day stagnation as the NCDC hasn’t reported any change from that figure. We hope to see a rise in the number of discharged cases in the coming days.
The country, however, recorded three new deaths as the mortality figure rose from 28 to 31 within the last 24 hours. This is the same number of daily tally recorded the day before.
As it stands, Nigeria’s recovery rate slumped from 22.5% to 20% in just 24 hours. While this is better than the USA with a 9.8% recovery rate, it is however, poorer than the global recovery rate of 27%.
Death rate however improved from 3.2% to 3.1% within the last 24 hours. This is better than the global death rate of 3.4%.
Effects of lockdown
The rising figure of new cases isn’t surprising because the lockdown directive imposed by the federal government have largely gone unheeded. While public transport has largely been grounded especially on major roads, nothing has stopped private vehicle owners from moving around and carrying out activities.
Even then, bikes and keke’s can be seen operating in the streets in some areas of Lagos. Markets are still open and traders continue to conduct business with members of the public. In Kano, an emerging hotbed for the Covid-19 malady, the government has relaxed its ban to enable the people to embark on Ramadan shopping.
All these look like the perfect recipe for disaster.
Possibility of lockdown extension
As the country inches ever closer to the dreaded 1,000 mark, trepidation is bound to take hold. And as the country races towards the end of a second lockdown which appears to be having no marked effects, the question on everybody’s lips is; will there be another extension?
If the federal government feels the lockdown remains the best solution, then we can expect an extension. But the extensions will be useless if lockdowns aren’t properly enforced and adhered to. And they will appear inhumane if people are starving. Another extension, many fear, might lead to anarchy.
It remains to be seen however, what solutions the nation comes up with as it looks towards flattening a curve that keeps rising.
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