COVID-19 infections have reportedly risen by 231.5 per cent within one month in the country.
Epidemiological data obtained from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control showed that from May 28 to June 29, a total of 1,262 cases were reported.
But from June 30 to August 1, the cases took a new surge as 4,183 cases were reported, indicating an increase of 2,921 (231.5 per cent).
The country now has 261,473 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 3,147 deaths. The total recoveries in the country have now increased to 254,953.
The NCDC confirmed in its latest biweekly epidemiological report that in the last 10 weeks, the test positivity ratio had continued to increase with the majority of cases reported from Lagos, FCT, Rivers, and Kano states.
The NCDC, however, noted that there was a drop in the testing rate as reports for weeks 27 and 28 showed that the number of samples tested decreased to 24,411 from 35,063 reported in weeks 25 and 26.
Meanwhile, only 27,528,710 Nigerians representing 24.6 per cent of the total eligible population targeted for COVID-19 vaccination have been fully vaccinated, while 11,768,202 have been partially vaccinated representing only 10.5 percent of the total eligible population, according to official data by the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency.
The NCDC Director-General, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, told our correspondent that the agency’s surveillance system continued to record a gradual increase in COVID-19 cases across the country.
“This is a reminder of the prevailing risk we face and the need for continued adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions such as the use of face masks in closed gatherings, physical distancing, and regular hand washing.
“These should be done in addition to taking the vaccines which have been proven to be safe and effective in reducing the risk of severe illness from COVID-19,” he said.