DELTA COVID-19 VARIANT DISCOVERED IN OYO STATE

The Delta variant of the Coronavirus disease has been discovered in Oyo State, the State Government has announced.

Recall that the NCDC on July 8 confirmed the index case of the deadly Delta variant in Nigeria.

This was made known in a statement by Taiwo Adisa the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde.

Adisa noted that the State’s Manager and Coordinator of the Emergency Operations Centre, Olabode Ldipo, confirmed the development.

He admonished residents to be more careful and apply all Government and NCDC protocols emplaced to curtail the spread of the infection.

“This strain has been associated with high transmission, increase the severity of infection and outcomes. As such, this is to warn that the virus is still very much within society.

“All in-bound travellers should always isolate for seven days and submit themselves for tests. The ‘Own Your Action’ (OYA) initiative of the state government should be seriously considered by adhering to the guidelines of wearing nose masks in public gatherings, washing of hands with soap and water, and use of hand sanitisers, among others,” said the statement.

 “It would be appreciated if all in-bound travellers from abroad maintain the mandatory seven-day isolation and subsequent testing before mingling with the populace. In addition, residents are enjoined to seek medical care and seize the opportunity of free testing whenever they feel unwell.

“Vigilance on the parts of both the government and the people will surely go a long way in stemming the transmission of this disease within the state.”

As of July 12, Oyo State Government has recorded 6,882 covid-19 infections and 126 deaths.

The delta variant has been described by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as the ‘most transmissible variant.’

According to the global body, the variant is responsible for the spike in about 98 countries across the world.

Also known as B.1.617.2, the Delta variant has been linked to 90 per cent of the rise in cases in the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (USA).

Multiple reports say that the variant is somewhat more resistant to COVID-19 vaccines.

Days after the NCDC confirmed the novel ‘most transmissible’ delta variant of the coronavirus disease in Nigeria, infections have surged. 

According to the NCDC, Nigeria recorded 110 cases on Wednesday, 145 on Thursday, and 186 cases on Friday.

Nigeria has so far recorded 169,000 cases of covid-19 and over 2,000 fatalities.

Credit: EONS Intelligence