Latest figures shared by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) showed 6 states in Nigeria account for about 72% of all confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country.
“On the 8th of June 2020, 315 new confirmed cases and 7 deaths were recorded in Nigeria. Till date, 12801 cases have been confirmed, 4040 cases have been discharged and 361 deaths have been recorded in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory,” NCDC stated.
A breakdown of the cases confirmed on June 8 showed they were reported from 14 states- 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).
Analysis of data released so far by the NCDC showed 6 states in Nigeria account for 72% of all cases so far confirmed in Nigeria and could be the focus of control efforts.
Across Africa, Nigeria now has the second highest number of confirmed cases and only South Africa now has more confirmed cases of COVID-19 than Nigeria.
But in spite of the increasing number of confirmed cases, the leadership of the NCDC expressed confidence in the centre’s capapcity.
“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 COVID19 [in] Nigeria,” said NCDC DG, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu.
There are however increasing concerns that the country’s COVID-19 response may be threatened by plans by medical doctors across the country to embark on a strike action from June 15 with range of demands including better personal protective equipment and pay.