Nigeria confirms 34 new COVID-19 cases — highest in a single day

By Victor Akuma

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Wednesday night confirmed 34 new cases of the coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria — the highest to be recorded in a single day in the country so far.

A breakdown of the newly confirmed cases as revealed via its Twitter handle showed Lagos has 18 cases, Kano 12, Katsina 2, while Niger and Delta had one cases respectively.

This brings the total number of confirmed cases of the novel disease in Nigeria to 407 with 12 deaths and 128 discharged patients.

“Thirty-four new cases of #COVID19 have been reported as follows:

18 Lagos

12 in Kano

2 in Katsina

1 in Delta

1 in Niger

As at 11:20 pm 15th April there are 407 confirmed cases of #COVID19 reported in Nigeria. 128 have been discharged with 12 deaths, ” the centre reported.

The development comes few hours after the NCDC said two new testing centres have been established in the country to fast-track testing capacity.

It said the first testing centre is located at the DNA lab, a private sector lab in Kaduna and the second one at University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), Maiduguri.

The centre also confirmed that establishment of two more testing centres are in progress at Port Harcourt and Sokoto.

“Two new labs have been activated for #COVID19 testing at:

1. DNA Lab, a private sector lab in Kaduna

2. @uni_maid Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri

This brings the number of COVID-19 testing labs in Nigeria to 13. In progress- Sokoto & Port Harcourt,” it said.

NCDC further said its primary aim is to ensure all those who meet the national case definition across the country, are tested and positive cases isolated for medical attention and possible recovery.

” As we increase the number of labs, we are working very hard with states to improve the sample collection and transportation process.”

“Our goal is to ensure that everyone who meets the national case definition is tested, positive cases are isolated and managed to recovery.”

Thirty-four new cases of #COVID19 have been reported as follows:

18 Lagos
12 in Kano
2 in Katsina
1 in Delta
1 in Niger

As at 11:20 pm 15th April there are 407 confirmed cases of #COVID19 reported in Nigeria. 128 have been discharged with 12 deaths#TakeResponsibility pic.twitter.com/oxM9pVb9QQ

— NCDC (@NCDCgov) April 15, 2020

Nigeria is now said to be among African countries that have recorded the novel virus in hundreds, with South Africa topping the chart with 2506 cases, followed by Egypt and Algeria with 2350 and 2070 respectively according to a an Africa track report on Wednesday.

The total number of cases in Africa now stands at about 16,700, 873 deaths and 3,235 recoveries according to africanews.com.