The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says the Delta variant continues to be the dominant strain of Coronavirus in the country.

The NCDC Director-General, Ifedayo Adetifa, made this known at the bi-weekly national briefing on COVID-19 in Abuja on Monday.

Mr Adetifa, represented by the Head of Risk Communication, Yahaya Disu, said the Delta variant overwhelmingly dominated the isolation centres in the country.

According to him, countries in Europe have started to reintroduce restrictions and some have resulted in national demonstrations and unrest.

“Cases have risen sharply in Austria, Netherlands, U.K, Germany and Italy.

“We must note that these are regions with considerably high vaccination rates, however, they are seeing surges in COVID-19, leading to make vaccinations mandatory to counter transmission of the virus which unvaccinated persons pose.

“I mention these to inform you that COVID-19 is still causing havoc in other countries and we must not take our situation for granted.

“Rather, we must continue to use preventive measures, safeguard our health and take responsibility. We can work together as we have done in this long-haul response to COVID-19,” he said.

The NCDC boss urged people to receive the COVID-19 vaccine if they had not, noting that it was safe, effective and would reduce the occurrences of severe diseases and deaths.

Mr Adetifa also said that laboratories were still available for COVID-19 testing, while urging Nigerians to get tested if they feel COVID-19 symptoms.

(NAN)