Second Wave Of COVID-19: New cases drop, as FG limits gatherings to 50

 Despite the talks of COVID-19 second wave, confirmed cases went southwards again for the the fourth day.

The Nigeria Centre For Disease Control (NCDC) Monday announced just 356 cases for the 14 states and the Federal capital that registered new infections.

This happened even as the Federal Government announced new restrictions, shutting bars, restaurants and limiting gatherings to 50.

 

However, six persons died of the virus in the last 24 hours, taking the death toll to 1,127.

Another 180 people were discharged from the various isolations centres.

“Our discharges today include 59 community recoveries in Lagos State managed in line with guidelines”, the NCDc said.

The number of the discharged is now 68,483.

Active cases remain high at 9,080 out of 78,790 confirmed cases, from samples of 893,590 since February.

 

Since 17 December, when a record 1,145 daily infections were registered, infection numbers have been nosediving.

On 18 December, it was 806. It was 920 on 19 December and 501 on 20 December.

The latest figure showed Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory leading with 79 infections.

Lagos occupied the second spot with 59 infections.

Kaduna reported 56 cases, Katsina 37 and Nasarawa 30.

Kano reported 25, Edo 18, Gombe 14, Kebbi 12 Akwa Ibom 7, Rivers 7, Sokoto 7, Abia 3, Ogun 1 and Cross River 1.

Despite the low figures, the Presidential Task Force in charge of the virus believes Nigeria is in the grips of a second wave.

Boss Mustapha, secretary to the government, who also heads the task Force announced new restrictions on Monday, just as some states, such as Lagos, Niger, Kaduna, Imo announced theirs.

The restrictions will last five weeks.

Mustapha said: “In line with the authorisation, the PTF wishes to issue the following advisories to sub-national entities for implementation over the next five weeks, because these activities are considered super spreader events.

“Close all bars, night clubs, pubs and event centres, and recreational venues.

“Close all restaurants, except those providing services to hotel residents; takeaways, home deliveries and drive-ins shall remain closed.

“Restrict all informal and formal festivity including weddings, conferences, congresses, office parties, concerts, seminars and sporting activities.

“End of year events shall be restricted to not more than 50 people.

“Limit all gatherings linked to religious events to less than 50 per cent capacity of the facility of use during which physical distancing, mandatory use of face masks shall be strictly enforced.

“Where more than 50 persons are attending, any such event, the gathering should be held outdoors only.”