COVID-19: Daily Curve Soars As 51 Test Positive, Toll Rises To 493

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), on Friday, reported 51 new cases, being the highest daily number of persons who have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).

Of the 51 new cases, 32 recorded from Lagos, the epicenter of the virus, 6 in Kano, 5 in Kwara, 2 in FCT, 2 in Oyo, 2 in Katsina, 1 in Ogun, and 1 in Ekiti state.

NCDC, also reported 17 death since the virus break out in the country and the discharge of 159 previously infected patients as at 10:10 pm 17th April.

BIGPEN reports that so far, 7153 samples have been tested for COVID-19 in Nigeria.

Earlier at the ongoing press briefing of Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, the NCDC’s DG, Chikwe Ihekweazu, had announced the national strategy for COVID-19 testing in Nigeria.

He said: “We are working very hard to increase the number of samples tested, including community surveillance in the FCT and Lagos.

“We have published the national strategy to scale up COVID-19 testing in Nigeria which leverages on validated technology. Anyone who wishes to contribute to our strategy in any way, understand our plan & trajectory can key in”.