‘Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja

 

DAILY COURIER – Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, among 29 that tests positive for COVID-19.

 

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 29 new cases of COVID-19 in six States between January 7 and 13, 2023.

 

This has brought the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria till date to 266,49, with 259,858 cases discharged, and sadly, 3,155 deaths recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

 

The States with the confirmed COVID-19 cases are: Lagos (15); FCT (5); Kano (4); Nasarawa (3); Kaduna (1) and Plateau (1).

 

The NCDC in a statement on Sunday said: “From 7th to 13th January 2023, 29 new confirmed cases were recorded in Nigeria

 

“To date, 266,492 cases have been confirmed, 259,858 cases have been discharged and 3,155 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory

 

“The 29 new cases are reported from 6 States- Lagos (15), FCT (5), Kano (4), Nasarawa (3), Kaduna (1) and Plateau (1)

 

“A multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 2, continues to coordinate the national response activities.”

 

In a statement, Kachikwu said he has suspended campaign for the February 25 presidential election and would be isolating himself from all public events.

 

He called on Nigerians not to take the coronavirus for granted as infection rates have risen rapidly all over the world in the last few weeks.

 

Kachikwu, therefore, appealed to the health sector to increase the testing and return to all necessary precautions that would help to control the spread of the virus.

 

”Nigerians must not let their guard down even though the Government has relaxed COVID rules. Our public health system can’t cope with the fallout of huge infection rates with attendant symptoms, especially at a time when our health care professionals are leaving the country in droves.

 

“We must increase testing and take all necessary precautions not to spread the virus. We must not allow political rallies to become COVID spreaders and reverse the gains made in combating the virus. We will survive the coronavirus if we all remain vigilant,” he said.