COVID-19: Nigeria records 573 new cases as numbers rise across states

 

BY NICHOLAS ABE

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The Chairman Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Mr Boss Mustapha says the rising cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria is as a result of increase in testing capacity.

Mustapha who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) made the disclosure at the PTF daily media briefing on Monday in Abuja.

“The rise in #COVID19 cases are (sic) as a result of ongoing community transmission and Nigeria’s increased testing capacity,” he was quoted as saying on the Twitter handle of the NCDC.

The Director General of NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, consequently urged Nigerians to take responsibility by following the protocols as prescribed by the NCDC.

“We are seeing an increase in the number of #COVID19 cases across states besides Lagos. This calls for #Nigerians to #TakeResponsibility, especially around – use of masks, mass gatherings and handwashing. The health of each of us depends on our collective action,” he admonished.

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Meanwhile, the NCDC announced that 573 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Nigeria on Monday June 15 while four deaths were recorded the same day.

The 573 new cases were reported as follows: Lagos (216), Rivers (103), Oyo (68), Edo (40), Kano (21), Gombe(20),FCT(17), Delta(13), Plateau(12), Bauchi(12), Niger(10),Kebbi(9) Ogun(8), Ondo(8), Abia (7), Nasarawa (5), Borno (1), Kwar a(1), Benue (1) and Anambra (1).

“Till date, 16,658 cases have been confirmed, 5,349 cases have been discharged and 424 deaths have been recorded in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory,” the NCDC declared in an update published on its COVID-19 micro website.

Cross River remains the only state without a COVID-19 case.