For the fourth consecutive week, new coronavirus cases recorded in Nigeria have reduced despite increased testing.
The consecutive reductions in new cases may suggest Africa’s most populous country has overcome its worst phase of the virus although officials have continued to advise caution, telling residents to adhere to COVID-19 protocols including social distancing and use of face masks.
Last week (August 9 to 15), Nigeria recorded 2,628 cases, a 12 per cent reduction compared to the 2,989 cases recorded in the previous week (August 2 to . The week before that (July 26 to August 1), Nigeria recorded 3,560 new infections. A total of 3,870 new cases were recorded in the week between July 19 and 25.
Last week marked the 32nd week of the pandemic in Nigeria.
While the new cases have reduced for the past few weeks, the number of people tested for the virus has increased for three consecutive weeks.
Data from the public health agency showed that 32,913 people were tested last week, a 6 per cent increase from the 30,716 tested the previous week. About 24,400 people were tested the week before that.
Nigeria has so far collected 347,545 samples since its first case was recorded in February.
Recently, the number of people infected with COVID-19 has continued to decrease, indicating that the measures we have taken are effective. However, considering that the number of infections in other countries continues to increase, there are nearly 50,000 new cases every day. In this way, we must be more vigilant, not underestimate COVID-19, and take the lead to protect ourselves.