Growing Numbers! 655 new COVID-19 infections takes Nigeria’s tally to 188,243

The latest statistics from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) shows that Nigeria’s total COVID-19 infections had Jumped to 188,243, across the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, as of Aug. 24, 2021.

The NCDC disclosed this on its website on Wednesday morning, adding that the additional 655 infections, reported on Tuesday, raised the country’s total infections.

Tuesday’s figure is a noticable increase from the 565 fresh cases recorded on Momday.

The NCDC attributed the country’s rise in number to the highly transmissible Delta variant and low vaccination rates across the country, calling on Nigerians to get vaccinated.

“All vaccines in Nigeria are safe. In Nigeria, COVID-19 vaccine is administered to 18 years old and above, including pregnant women and lactating mothers.

“The COVID-19 vaccine does not hurt or make you sick. Mild side effects may or may not occur,” it advised.

The agency further stated that five more COVID-19 related deaths were recorded as of Aug. 24, 2021, in Nigeria and deaths reported on Tuesday increased the country’s fatality figure to 2,281, adding that the number of the country’s active Coronavirus infections had again risen to 16,927, an increase from 16,494 reported on Monday.

The NCDC stated that the new cases were reported in eight states and the FCT.

“Lagos State, the country’s epicentre now witnessing an increase in the use of oxygen for the management of severe COVID-19 patients at isolation facilities, reported 288 additional Infections on Tuesday.

“The state’s utilisation of oxygen, which is vital for the treatment of severe cases, has increased from 75 cylinders per day, at the beginning of the third wave, to over 400 cylinders per day.

“The Lagos State’s modelling suggested that it may require even more oxygen supply over the next few weeks.

“The state government is exploring several ways of increasing its oxygen capacity, including partnering the private sector,” it added.

It disclosed that Rivers, one of the country’s hotspots area for the Delta variant recorded 188 cases on Tuesday, followed by Oyo – 64; Akwa Ibom – 31; FCT – 28; Ekiti – 21; Edo – 17; Bayelsa – 11; and Kaduna – 7.