NCDC: 45 cases of Omicron so far detected in Nigeria

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) yesterday announced that 45 cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 had so far been recorded in the country, with no death logged.

NCDC Director-General, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, who disclosed the Nigerian Omicron statistics at a virtual media briefing, said the new cases were in people without travel history, which suggested that the country was already experiencing community transmission.

Adetifa said the six cases of Omicron earlier detected were in persons with recent travel history to South Africa.

According to him, it is important for Nigerians to maintain physical distance and avoid contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness.

“We are counting on you to #CelebrateResponsibly and #TakeResponsibility to keep yourself and your loved ones safe from COVID-19,” he added.

Adetifa also advised Nigerians to observe more measures that could curb the spread of Omicron such as reducing large gatherings, increasing physical distancing, duration of contacts and possibly shutting down premises considered at greater risk.

Adetifa urged Nigerians to take the advisory issued by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 more seriously, adding that it would greatly increase the effectiveness of such interventions.

Meanwhile, The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), has insisted that the national booster campaign remained the main tool in the country’s arsenal for curbing the spread of Omicron.

The agency however said all the COVID-19 vaccines in the country offered significant protection against the Omicron variant, and that two doses should still ward off severe disease.