Nigeria recorded a 500 per cent increase in COVID-19 cases over the past two weeks.

This is contained in a statement by the director-general of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Ifedayo Adetifa, in Abuja.

Mr Adetifa attributed the 500 per cent increase to the COVID-19 Delta and Omicron variants.

“As of December 19, Nigeria reported 223,887 cases and 2,985 deaths in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The country is now in a fourth COVID-19 wave,” stated the NCDC. “The federal government of Nigeria, through the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, the Federal Ministry of Health, as well as NCDC and its partners, are therefore intensifying risk communication efforts to remind Nigerians of the risk we face and need to take collective responsibility to reduce transmission of the virus.”

It explained that the response to COVID-19 “requires a whole-of-society approach,” urging the public and institutions “to play their part in protecting each other by ensuring adherence to COVID-19 public health and social measures.”

The NCDC statement also disclosed that the agency was launching a yuletide season campaign to stem the spread of the virus.

“#CelebrateResponsibly focuses specifically on measures Nigerians need to take to protect themselves and loved ones from COVID-19 during this period,” explained the agency. “The #CelebrateResponsibly campaign targets the entertainment industry, transport industry, religious settings, media, security personnel, young people, and the general public to promote adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures during this festive period.”

The NCDC further urged Nigerians to adhere to recommended measures by the agency and other public health authorities as they celebrate Christmas and New Year.

The NCDC boss noted that the government had made the COVID-19 vaccines available for eligible adults and booster doses available for those previously vaccinated.

(NAN)