Global COVID-19 infections hit one million, Italy remains worst hit; 10 fresh cases in Nigeria; Emmanuel locks down Akwa Ibom for 14 days

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cases have hit the one million mark, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
The reported cases has grown exponentially from slightly over 500,000 confirmed cases reported globally just a week ago.
As at the time of filing this report on Thursday evening, the figures
compiled by the John Hopkins University indicate that there are 1, 002,159 cases of the novel Coronavirus infection worldwide.
Figures released by worldometers.info is slightly different with 1, 005,774 confirmed COVID-19 cases reported worldwide.
Also figures released by worldometers.info on fatalities indicate that Italy remains the worst hit with 13,915 deaths, followed by Spain with a record of 10,096 deaths.
The United Staes continues to top the global chart in the number of infections with 236,339 confirmed cases, according to the John Hopkins University tally.
According to the data, China, where the virus broke out in December, has been pushed to the fifth position on the chart with 82,432 cases.
The John Hopkins University tally revealed that the death toll has hit 51,485 across the globe while the raging pandemic is affecting 181 countries and regions.
The worldometers.info tally shows a total number of 51,633 deaths recorded globally, while 210,555 has recovered from the dreaded viral disease.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has also reported 10 new cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 184 in the country.
The NCDC on its official Twitter page @NCDCgov wrote “Ten new cases of #COVID19 have been reported in Nigeria; 7 in Lagos and 3 in the FCT.
“As at 08:00 pm 2nd April there are 184 confirmed cases of #COVID19 reported in Nigeria.
“Twenty have been discharged with two deaths.”
Meanwhile, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, on Thursday, announced the  complete ban on movement of people in the state for a period of 14 days.
Emmanuel said during a state broadcast that the confirmation of five cases in the state even when the cases were still in stable conditions and without symptoms was a cause for concern.
He said that the decision to completely lock down the state was to ensure effective contact tracing of those who might have come in contact with the five index cases.
The governor said the ban on movement across the state would be enforced by security operatives to ensure strict compliance by members of the public.
According to him, only pharmaceutical stores and grocery shops would be opened for business during the period.
Emmanuel directed that all business premises, markets, shops, motor parks and offices should remain closed during the period.
He said that only those on essential duties would be allowed to move, saying, “they must show valid and proper means of identification”
“As I speak, the confirmed cases who are mostly healthcare professionals are in good health and have so far presented no symptoms.
“However, they have been moved to the isolation centres for proper management and the process of contact tracing has begun to identify those who may have come in contact with them.
“To enable this process run effectively, I am hereby announcing a complete cessation of movement in the state for a period of 14 days,” he said.
The governor described  coronavirus as a global pandemic, adding, “we must do our part to curtail is spread”
“No country or state can claim to be 100 per cent ready for the pandemic, I urge Akwa Ibom people to come together so that we could win the fight against Covid-19.
“Our residents need not panic, the situation require that all hands should be on deck to defeat the pandemic, this is not the time to panic or spread fear,” he said.
Earlier on Thursday, the state government had called for a reconfirmation of the five index cases in the state.

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