CoronaVirus Updates
NCDC challenges states, says testing capacity underutilised, confirms 315 new cases
BY NICHOLAS ABE
With about 80,000 samples already tested, the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says the agency’s testing capacity is being underutilised.
It therefore called on the states of the federation to do more by collecting samples from the “right people.”
Director General of NCDC Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu who aired his view while featuring in a programme Monday on Arise Television confessed that the infectious diseases management agency had not yet met its target with respect to combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re not where we want to be in the response to #COVID19Nigeria.
“We have reagents for about 200,000 tests across our lab network, however our testing capacity is grossly under-utilised.
“We’re challenging states to collect samples from the right people,” Ihekweazu said.
While acknowledging the myriad of challenges the agency had faced, the DG gave kudos to the staff for their sense of duty.
“We recognise that we started from a very low base, with inadequate health infrastructure to respond to an outbreak of such magnitude. What we have regardless is a vibrant workforce, working round the clock to control #COVID19Nigeria,” he said.
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Meanwhile, the NCDC on the 8th of June 2020, announced 315 new confirmed cases and seven deaths across Nigeria.
The 315 new cases were reported as follows: Lagos (128), FCT (34), Rivers (32), Edo (28), Oyo (22), Kaduna (20), Gombe (13), Ogun (8), Plateau (5), Delta (7), Kwara (7), Kano (5), Bauchi (4), Katsina (2).
Cross River remains the only state without a confirmed case.
Till date, 12,801 cases have been confirmed, 4,040 cases have been discharged and 361 deaths have been recorded in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.