The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed 135 new infections, bringing the number of infections in the country to 161,409.
The NCDC made this known on Thursday night via its official Twitter handle, where it disclosed that the new infections were recorded in 16 states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“On March 18, 135 new confirmed cases were recorded in Nigeria.
“The new cases are reported from 16 states, Lagos (41), Imo (20), Ogun (14), FCT (10), Kebbi (11), Rivers (10), Akwa Ibom (eight) and Plateau (four).
“’Ebonyi (three), Kaduna (three), Kano (three), Osun (three), Oyo (two), Ekiti (one), Gombe (one), and Nasarawa (one).
“Till date, 161,409 cases have been confirmed, 146,890 cases have been discharged and 2,027 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the FCT,” it said.
The health agency said that the country’s recoveries from COVID-19 were now outpacing new reported cases, as 426 people were discharged in the last 24 hours.
It said that Thursday’s report included 162 community recoveries in Ebonyi State managed in line with NCDC guidelines, while data from Kebbi State were recorded over the last two days.
The NCDC said that the country’s active cases stood at 12,984 in the last 24 hours.
It said a multi-sectoral National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, had continued to coordinate the national response activities in the country.
The country has tested 1,684,305 people since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was announced on February 27, 2020.
The daily new cases has continued to follow a downward trajectory, from an all-time high daily new positive cases of 2,314 on January 22 to 135 as at March 18.
Meanwhile, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), updating the National Economic Council (NEC) on the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, says the Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccines had been delivered to 35 states.
NPHCDA’s Executive Director, Dr Fiasal Shuaib, gave this indication at a virtual NEC meeting, presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“All states except Kogi have received their Vaccines.
“The vaccination application has been launched in most states’ Treatment Centres even against distractions and criticism of the Federal Government’s efforts to ensure availability of vaccines in the nation.
“The roll-out of the vaccines across Healthcare Front-line Workers and other Health Support Staff was scheduled to commence by March 15, 2021, in some States, with the intention of wider coverage after the training of the states’ health workers across board.”
He said that Kogi is yet to receive due to the non-repair of its Cold-Chain Store, coupled with the state’s concerns around the contradictory information about the vaccines.
Faisal informed NEC that the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has been co-opted to support the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on vaccine Accountability to ensure the safekeeping of the vaccines.
“There is a need for tight security around the vaccines in the states to avoid being vandalised by hoodlums.
“Meanwhile, there is a plan to commence weekly record of a dashboard showing level and efficacy of the inoculation by the end of Monday, March 15, 2021,” he said.
He also assured that the second tranche of the vaccines would be received in the country before the second dose of the vaccines intake is concluded.
NEC also received an update from its ad-hoc committee interfacing with the PTF on COVID 19 to ease the lockdown of the economy by the Chairman of the Committee, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State.
Okowa updated NEC alongside the Director-General of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu.
NEC also welcomed the integration of ICPC to support the PTF on vaccine accountability and transparency.
Osinbajo commended NPHCDA for the smooth coordination of the nation-wide distribution of the vaccines.
