No Evidence Of The New COVID Variant In Nigeria – FG Says

The Federal Government has declared that there was no evidence of the new COVID variant, XEC, in Nigeria.

The Government’s position which was conveyed in a statement, on Saturday, December 7, 2024 by the Federal Ministry of Health, said the new COVID variant has not been discovered in the country.

The Federal Government explained that since the COVID variant XEC has not been detected in Nigeria, it has become imperative to correct the misinformation and fear of the public concerning the resurgence of COVID-19 in Nigeria.

The statement which was signed by Alabi Balogun, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations in the Ministry, advised Nigerians not to panic but to continue taking precautions by observing personal hygiene.

The statement further said that the government had also taken precautionary measures by establishing molecular laboratories, isolation centres, and intensive care units equipped with ventilators at federal tertiary hospitals.

According to Balogun; “The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, through her agencies, has stepped up surveillance, including at all entry points to Nigeria.

“The federal government has proactively upgraded our federal tertiary hospitals by establishing molecular laboratories, isolation centres, and intensive care units equipped with ventilators.

“Since the COVID variant XEC has not been detected in Nigeria, it has therefore become imperative to correct the misinformation and fear of the general public concerning the resurgence of COVID-19 in Nigeria,” it stated.

Balogun also said; “You may recall that a newly detected COVID variant, XEC, was reported in Australia and has spread to about 29 countries globally and has shown a more virulence over other circulating strains with concern over its possible impact on service delivery in our federal tertiary hospitals.

“However, the good news is that there is no evidence of COVID variant XEC in Nigeria. In light of the above, the general public is advised not to panic but to continue with the universal precautions of observing personal hygiene, including regular washing of hands,” he said.