BREAKING: Nigeria Records 284 New Infections, As Total Now Hits 6,677

COVID-19

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Wednesday said Nigeria recorded 284 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections in Nigeria to 6,677.

NCDC also said that eight new patients have been confirmed dead to the virus in the country, bringing the total number of deaths to 200.

It said “On the 20th of May 2020, 284 new confirmed cases and 8 deaths was recorded in Nigeria”

No new state has reported a case in the last 24 hours.

Till date, 6677 cases have been confirmed, 1840 cases have been discharged and 200 deaths have been recorded in 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory

The 284 new cases are reported from 13 states- Lagos(199), Rivers(26), Oyo(19), FCT(8), Borno (8), Plateau(7), Jigawa (6), Kano (5), Abia(2), Ekiti(1), Delta(1), Kwara (1), Taraba (1)

The health agency had on Tuesday explained that most of the fatalities recorded from COVID-19 were cases with other underlying illnesses known as co-morbidities.

The Federal Government has also lamented that the growing number of casualties with regards to the Covid-19 pandemic is due to self-medication, saying many of those who died recently, apart from having some underlying illnesses, had embarked on some form of self-medication or home care.

Boss Mustapha advised those who are infected to seek help rather than going underground.

The NCDC gave a summary of the key infection prevention and control (IPC) strategies to limit or prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in healthcare settings as follows:

“Health works should ensure early triage, recognition and source control at the entry point of the facility: Ensure the availability of a triage station at the entrance of the facility with trained personnel.

“Request information on recent travel history and pre-existing disease profile of the patient to determine the patient’s risk level: Evaluate clinical symptoms of COVID-19 to ensure early recognition and

Ensure source control (isolation) of patients with suspected SARS COV-2 (COVID-19) infections in a designated area with a defined approach for further assessments,” it stated.

The health agency said that at the application of standard precautions for all patients at the entry point of the facility, none of the IPC protocols should be bypassed under any circumstances to reduce the likelihood of viral transmission to healthcare workers and other patients within the healthcare setting.

The NCDC noted that these protocols include the following, hand and respiratory hygiene for healthcare workers and patients, visibility of IEC materials that communicate the symptoms of COVID-19 and prevention measures, clearly stating that some cases may be asymptomatic.

It also advised the appropriate use of PPE, safe waste disposal practices, sterilisation of medical equipment and surfaces.

“Confirmed cases of COVID-19 should be housed together with enough ventilation. The physical distancing between all patients should be adhered to in all facilities with at least 1-meter distance.