Advertisement

Omicron: NCDC confirms 3 new cases as UK detects virus

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), yesterday, confirmed three additional cases of COVID-19 with the B.1.1.529 SARS-CoV-2 lineage, the Omicron variant.

Advertisement

The three cases were in addition to the three earlier announced on December 1. This brings the tally of confirmed Omicron cases in Nigeria to six.

NCDC, in a statement by its Director General, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, noted that all the Omicron cases, so far, were detected in persons with recent travel history to South Africa in November.

This came as the United Kingdom government said seven travelers from Nigeria had returned positive for Omicron.

Advertisement

NCDC boss confirmed that the UK has formally written to Nigeria on the matter in line with the global health practice.

“In line with Article 44 of the International Health Regulations 2005 (IHR) reporting framework, the Federal Government of Nigeria through the NCDC has been notified by the UK Government of seven cases of travellers from Nigeria with the Omicron variant.”

Dr. Adetifa, however, said that given the reports of increasing numbers of Omicron cases in the UK, the NCDC was also prioritising the sequencing of COVID-19 positive samples in travellers with history of travel to the UK.

“All viruses naturally mutate over time, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Since SARS-CoV-2 was first identified, several mutations have occurred with the emergence of new lineages.

Advertisement

“This will continue to happen as long as the world does not act in concert to significantly reduce transmission through vaccination and adherence to effective public health measures such as face mask use, physical distancing, hand hygiene, and ensuring good ventilation.”

He maintained that compliance with the travel protocols provided by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 (PSC-COVID-19) is mandatory for all international travellers arriving in Nigeria from any country and advised incoming travellers to ensure their day two and day seven tests were done as stipulated in Nigeria’s travel advisory, otherwise, there would be consequences which may include publication of details, suspension of their passports and ban on travel to Nigeria.

(sunnewsonline.com)

Advertisement