By GRACE AUDU, Abuja –
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Saturday recorded 176 new cases of COVID-19 which brought the total number of infections in Nigeria to 5621.
This figure represents nearly 7% of the total number of infections in Africa, which stands at about 82,000 as at today.
On the other hand, Eritrea, the only virus-free nation in Africa, started random, extensive testing in Asmara and border towns this morning.
The Horn of Africa nation declared virus-free status on May 15 after the last of 39 patients recovered and was discharged from hospital.
The News agency of Nigeria (NAN), quotes the NCDC as also saying that five new patients have been confirmed dead in the country, bringing the total number of deaths to 176.
According to the NCDC, the 176 new cases were reported from 14 states: Lagos (95), Oyo (31), FCT (11), Niger (8), Borno (8), Jigawa (6), Kaduna (4), Anambra (3), Edo (2), Rivers (2), Nasarawa (2), Bauchi (2), Benue (1), Zamfara (1).
It noted that no new state reported a case in the last 24 hours.
The health agency said that as at May 16, 5621 cases have been confirmed with 3973 Active Cases, 1472 discharged cases and 176 deaths in 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
An Africanews report said that areas in the Eritrean capital Asmara will as of today be undergoing random and extensive testing as part of government efforts to better understand and contain any possible cases of COVID-19. Aside residents, frontline workers and resident of border areas will also be tested.
It quoted the Task Force overseeing the pandemic response as saying in a statement that random and extensive testing was the next phase of government efforts despite the “small success” of having full recoveries. Eritrea has not recorded any death till date.
The statement said the new phase was to enable government: “… to gauge the spread of COVID-19 in the country in a comprehensive and more reliable manner. This endeavour is essential for the full appraisal that will be inferred from detailed and extensive data.
“In this respect, the first phase of tests will be carried out in several sections of Asmara from Sunday, 17th May onwards. Towns and villages in border areas, as well as front-line employees in the Ministry of Health and other relevant institutions will also be part and parcel of this first phase testing.
“Modalities for subsequent phases of testing will be determined by the outcome of the first phase as well as relevant global and regional realities and trends,” the statement added. Government has not disclosed figures on number of tests expected to be undertaken.
Number crunch from Eritrea virus stats, valid as of May 17, 2020
- 3,486 = persons quarantined to-date
- 70 = number of centers established throughout the country
- Over 2,400 = persons released after quarantine
- Over 1,000 = individuals still remain in quarantine
- 33 = number of operational quarantine centers.
- 39 = number of confirmed cases, number of recoveries
May 15: Eritrea officially virus-free with 100% recoveries, no death
Eritrea has officially declared itself virus-free after all 39 patients successfully recovered from COVID-19. A Ministry of Health statement said the 39th patient had been discharged from hospital as of today.
As of May 8, there were only two active cases, one of which was discharged on the 11th before today’s final recovery and discharge.
Eritrea follows the likes of Mauritania and Mauritius who have recorded full recoveries. Mauritania have since recorded new cases.
Eritrea is also among a handful of African countries that have not recorded deaths as of May 15, others are Madagascar, Central Africa Republic, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Lesotho, Rwanda and Uganda.
Total confirmed cases = 39
Total recoveries = 39
Total deaths = 0
Active cases = 0
(With agency reports)