Maintain Higher Index of Suspicion for COVID-19, NCDC Tells Health Workers

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Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, has warned all healthcare practitioners to be wary of COVID-19 more than ever before as infection spikes consistently in the last four weeks.

Director General of the NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu gave the warning as Nigeria recorded 1244 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, with three deaths.

With the 1244 new cases, Nigeria’s infections stood at 110131, while 80491 have recovered with 1361 deaths reported in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Recalled that about 800 Nigerian health workers contracted the novel coronavirus during the first wave and many others have been infected since the commencement of the second wave.

Speaking via a public advisory published by the agency to alert citizens on the dangers of the disease, Ihekweazu told the practitioners that they cannot be too careful in the wake of the second wave as infection doesn’t show on faces.

“You can’t tell whether someone has the virus or not, so take protective measures at all times.
“Healthcare workers need to now maintain a higher index of suspicion for #COVID19.

“We are reaching a critical level where our hospital capacity will no longer be able to cope with more serious COVID-19 cases & health workers will be forced to make tough decisions.

“We need to protect our more vulnerable citizens”, Ihekweazu cautioned.

He stressed the reality of the infection in Nigeria as the virus has affected over 100,000 lives and led to over 1,300 deaths within 11 months with millions others globally.

The NCDC DG further revealed symptoms of the disease showing in many people experiencing fatigue, fever and other illnesses even after recovery.

“In the last four weeks, we‘ve recorded a spike in the number of new #COVID19 cases.
“The virus is spreading fast, causing mild symptoms in some & severe illness/death in others”, he quipped.

On taking personal responsibility, the NCDC boss charged citizens to be up and doing noting that the 100,000 cases and over 1,000 deaths are not just numbers, but responsible citizens who have contacted the virus.

“These are fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, children, friends whose deaths will be mourned and the pain of their loss deeply felt. The response starts and ends with the people of this country”, he stated.