COVID-19 Update: Nigeria Announces 338 New Cases, Rising Tally Of 5959

BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI, ABUJA – Amid public misgivings raised by some discharged patients, Nigeria’s rising numbers of Coronavirus (COVID-19) confirmed cases hit a total of 5959 with 338 new cases reported late on Sunday night, May 17, 2020.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said six (6) deaths were also recorded in the country with no new state reporting a case in the last 24 hours.

Updated figures on the NCDC website indicated that about 33,970 samples have so far been tested since Nigeria witnessed the pandemic index case in late February.

According to NCDC, of the 5959 cases that have been confirmed till date, about 4,183 cases are active, while 1594 cases have been successfully treated and discharged from various isolation centres and accredited hospitals nationwide.

However, with heightening public controversies over the COVID-19 treatments refusing to go away, the number of reported fatalities have also risen to 182 deaths in 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Giving a breakdown of the 338 new cases reported from 18 states, the NCDC said Lagos as usual led the way with 177 cases with Kano and FCT on tow reporting 64 and 21 cases respectively.

The list also include: Rivers – (16); Plateau – (14); Oyo – (11); Katsina – Nine (9); Jigawa and Kaduna – Four (4) each; Abia, Bauchi and Borno – Three (3) each; Gombe, Akwa Ibom and Delta – Two (2) each with , Ondo, Kebbi and Sokoto having one (1) case each

Updated figures on the NCDC website indicated that about 33,970 samples have so far been tested since Nigeria witnessed the pandemic index case in late February.

With the Presidential Task Force (PTF) led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha briefing President Buhari on Sunday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, speculations are rife about the Federal Government moving to implement fresh recommendations on the way forward.

Expectations that new procedures for containing the dreaded virus may come into effect are high, especially given strong hints from Boss Mustapha that the next two months will prove crucial as the world battles to produce approved vaccine to tackle the pandemic.