Data from Nigeria Centre for Disease and Control (NCDC) showed the number of deaths from COVID-19 rose to 813, with 38,344 infections.
The NCDC made this known on its official twitter handle on Wednesday.
The agency data showed that eight Nigerians died from COVID-19 complications, as at July 22.
The health agency announced that Nigeria reported 543 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday.
It stated that the 543 new figures were reported from 14 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The NCDC said that Lagos, the epicentre recorded 180 cases, the highest daily toll, followed by FCT with 86.
It noted that Kaduna recorded 56, Edo, 47, Ondo, 37, Kwara, 35, Ogun, 19, Rivers, 19, Kano, 17, Ebonyi, 16, Enugu, 16, Delta, 7, Bayelsa, 4, Bauchi, 3 and Abia, 1.
The NCDC said that 15,815 patients have been discharged.
It explained that a multi-sectoral National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) activated at Level 3, continues to coordinate the national response activities in the country.
The NCDC said that a sudden loss of taste and smell with fever, headache or runny nose may be COVID-19 and not malaria.
“Do not ignore these symptoms. Call your state hotline to arrange for a COVID-19 test immediately.
“Hand Washing remains one of the most basic and effective means to prevent the spread of infections, including Meningitis.
“It is very important to wash your hands regularly with soap under running water,” it said.
The NDDC said Nigeria’s COVID-19 recovery rate recorded a slight decrease on Wednesday, compared to previous figures over the past week.
”Between June 22 and July 22, the number of confirmed cases increased by more than 50 per cent, from 20,919 to a total of 38,344 infections, while the death toll has risen from 525 to 813 fatalities.
”However, within the same one-month period, the recovery rate has more than doubled, moving from 7,109 to 15,815 patients discharged across the country,” the NCDC said.
Meanwhile, Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger State says government has noticed with dismay that people no longer follow established safety protocols against COVID-19, especially wearing of face mask in public places, which he says is unacceptable.
He made the observation during a news briefing after meeting with the state’s Task Force Committee on COVID-19 in Minna.
According to him, there shall be reinforced strict adherence to safety protocols of wearing face mask, hand-washing, use of sanitisers and maintenance of physical distancing.
He said “all forms of mass gathering occasioned by the ease of lockdown are hereby proscribed, and there shall be reinvigorated curfew from 10 p.m. till 4 a.m.”
He directed the state’s ministries of Information, Health and relevant MDAs to embark on sensitisation on the need to observe the protocols to curtail spread of the virus.
He said there should be caution, especially in markets, motor parks, places of worship and other public places.
He directed that all access to government house and other government offices should be restricted except for those on essential services.
The governor directed security agencies to strictly enforce compliance, adding that violators of the directives would be prosecuted by mobile courts.
The governor directed the Ministry of Health to ensure that all deaths were tested for COVID-19 at the nearest health facility for burial protocol.
He disclosed that the state recorded 166 cases of COVID-19, discharged 113, with nine deaths.
He said the affected local government areas include Bida, Borgu, Bosso, Chanchaga, Kontagora, Mariga.
