Following reports by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Presidential Task Force, (PTF) on COVID 19, that more than 70 COVID 19 related deaths were recorded in the last one week, the Federal Government has expressed concerns about this development.
This concern was raised during the PTF’s presentation of its Mid-Term Review of Response Efforts in Abuja.
According to the Chairman of the Task Force and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha, Nigerians must take responsibility for their health amid the rising figures of fatalities.
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“The rising fatalities in Nigeria are not unconnected with denials and delay in seeking help. The last week recorded the highest weekly number of fatalities of more than 70 COVID 19 deaths” he disclosed.
Data tracked by The New Diplomat revealed that 645 fatalities were recorded in the country up till July 5, 2020, but the figures rose to 744 as of Monday, July 13, 2020. The number of confirmed cases also rose from 28, 711 to 33, 153 within the same period signaling 4442 cases in the same period.
In a related development, COVID 19 cases in Nigeria have topped 33, 153 cases following the confirmation of 595 new infections in the country late on Monday night according to figures released by the NCDC via its verified Twitter handle.
According to the agency, the new infections were recorded in 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Lagos maintained the lead position with a total of 156 new infections and was closely followed by Oyo with 141 and the FCT with 99 new cases.
Other states with registered cases include Edo – 47, Kaduna – 27, Ondo – 22, Rivers – 20, Osun – 17, Imo – 13, and Plateau – 10.
Nasarawa and Anambra each have 8 new infections while other states like Kano, Benue, and Borno each reported 5 cases.
The country has discharged 13,671 people who recovered from the virus while 744 deaths have been recorded from the infection.