By John Ikani
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says 32 Delta variant cases of COVID-19 have been reported in five states across the country.
Disclosing this during the resumed briefing of the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on Monday in Abuja, the Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu said 19 of the cases were reported in Akwa Ibom State.
Ihekweazu listed Lagos, Cross River, and Oyo states as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as the other places where at least one case of the Delta variant of COVID-19 has been confirmed in the country.
The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, who was also present at the briefing, raised concerns about the Delta variant of the virus.
He advised Nigerians against travelling to Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Oyo, Cross Rivers, Kano, Plateau and the FCT during this period, except when it was absolutely necessary.
Ehanire explained that it was important for the PSC to discourage such travels because of the surge of the virus within the states of concern.
What you should know
Since the outbreak of the disease that has claimed millions of lives globally, health experts have continued to watch certain coronavirus mutations and variants that have become more contagious and deadlier than the original strain.
Among such strains, the B.1.617.2. (Delta) variant has become a major source of worry in recent times as a result of its rapid increase in several countries, including the United States.
The Delta variant was described by World Health Organisation (WHO) Director General, Tedros Ghebreyesus as “the most transmissible” mutation to date.
According to WHO’s Technical Lead on COVID-19, Maria Van Kerkhove, the Delta variant has proved “extremely contagious in any country it reaches.”
“The delta variant can make the epidemic curve exponentially,” Ms Kerkhove said.
But delta is not the only worrying mutation. According to the WHO expert, “there is a constellation of variants circulating,” including sub-variants, four of which are very worrying.
