The latest epidemiological report of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has shown that 38 persons died of COVID-19 in one week.

The weekly COVID-19 situation report further revealed that the number of new confirmed cases increased by 17 per cent between August 2 and August 8, 2021 – from 3,218 cases reported two weeks ago to 3,771 last week in 27 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Recoveries improved by 248 per cent in the week under review, the report said.

Also, COVID-19 testing dropped drastically in some states: Kebbi (two), Bauchi (seven), Niger (17), Jigawa (29), Kogi (31), Ebonyi (40), Osun (69), and Abia (84).

On the other hand, some other states – Lagos (19,034), FCT (10,096), Rivers (6,020), Kaduna (4,910), and Kano (3,394) – continued to ramp up their testing capacities.

On what it was doing to curb the community transmission of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCDC said: “In the last two weeks, there has been a steady increase in the number of new COVID-19 cases reported.

“As part of efforts to strengthen the response to the third wave, reduce the risk of deaths among cases and control the spread of the virus, the NCDC has intensified surveillance, testing, training, and risk communication efforts.

“This is in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and other stakeholders and partners. The management of COVID-19 cases is based on factors, such as age and pre-existing conditions, to reduce the risk of severe illness and/or long-term effects of the disease. While there is currently no cure for COVID-19, cases can be managed to recovery.”

“Additionally, adherence to infection prevention and control (IPC) measures in healthcare settings is critical to breaking the chain of transmission of the virus. Therefore, healthcare workers must always maintain a high index of suspicion for the disease.

(Text, excluding headline courtesy The Nation)