Following increase in COVID-19 cases in China, U.S and UK, the Nigeria government has asked citizens to be vigilant and take precautionary measures against the variant.

 

The e Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, who made the call in Abuja at a ministerial press briefing on update on COVID-19 response and development in the health sector, said the country is presently doing a review to find out the impact of the resurgence on Nigeria and Nigerians.

 

The Minister stated that as a country, Nigeria will maintain vigilance at points of entry, especially on arrivals by air, and will take all necessary measures to ensure that COVID-19 is kept at bay in Nigeria.

 

In his remarks, the DirectorGeneral, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, said sub-variants of COVID-19 have been circulating around the world, including Nigeria, hence citizens should make use of every opportunity government has provided to get vaccinated.

 

He specifically cautioned the unvaccinated, the elderly, the diabetics, among others to continue to strictly adhere to non-pharmaceutical recommendations like wearing of face masks in crowded areas and frequent washing of hands.

 

For the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, represented by the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr. Garuba Bulama, the increase in number of cases seen globally is as a result of the mutation that is occurring and low intake of booster doses.

 

He called on Nigerians to ensure they take their booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccines.