Coronavirus kills 7 Nigerians in 24 hours as cases rise above 1,700
Despite containment measures put in place by the federal and state governments, the COVID-19 pandemic figures in Nigeria, including the death toll, have continued to rise.
With the total number of confirmed cases rising to 1,728 on Wednesday, April 29, Nigeria recorded a high casualty figure within 24 hours as seven more people died from the COVID-19 complications.
As at Tuesday, April 28, the total deaths recorded were 44, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
Source: UGC
However, the figure rose to 51 on Wednesday night, indicating that seven people died from the virus within 24 hours.
Source: UGC
Meanwhile, the discoveries also rose from 255 on Tuesday to 307 on Wednesday, indicating that 52 people also recovered from the infectious disease within 24 hours.
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Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the minister of health, Osagie Ehanire, allayed the fear of Nigerians over the rising cases of COVID-19 in the country.
Speaking at the daily briefing by the presidential taskforce on COVID-19 on Monday, April 20, Ehanire said 90 percent of people who contract the virus will recover.
The health minister said people are afraid due to the high number of confirmed cases “that they forget about those recovering.”
"There is no reason for apprehension because over 90 per cent of those who have COVID-19 will recover," he added.
The minister only a few people get very sick after contracting the virus.
“Nine out 10 will recover, so what is the fear about. Only that the numbers are so large that we forget that people recover and few get very sick, that is just about four or five out of 100,” Ehanire said.
Source: Twitter
The minister also explained that the increase in the number of confirmed cases daily is as a result of increased testing, social mobilisation at the grassroots and community transmission.
Ehanire added that the NCDC will double its testing capacity from 1,500 to 3,000 persons daily.
“Thirteen molecular diagnostic laboratory nationwide have been activated so far by the NCDC and the target this week is to double the national testing capacity which stands at 1,500 a day.
"Our strategy now focuses on the community and we have increased testing and social mobilisation at the grassroots.
”The worrying increases in the frequency and numbers of new persons with COVID-19 being recorded daily, is attributable to this new strategy, in combination with the increased community transmission,” he said.
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Source: Legit.ng