Top stories
New Strain of COVID-19: Expert tasks Nigerians on safety protocol
Dr Lanre Olosunde, an Infectious Disease expert with the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), on Tuesday in Ilorin advised Nigerians to continue to practice preventive measures against the COVID:19 pandemic.
Olosunde told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview that “this new strain of COVID:19 may already be here in Nigeria since it’s been in existence since September.”
NAN reports that a newly identified variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus appears to be more contagious than established ones.
Research is still going on to confirm if the new strain is more dangerous and if it causes more severe illness and more deaths than the pre- existing strains.
Olosunde, who is the former President of Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), UITH, said that with the unrestricted movement from UK to Nigeria, the likelihood is higher.
He said that the Federal Government can however decide to limit the spread of the new variant of the COVID infection in the country by also placing travel ban just like other countries are doing.
“What is most important are the preventive measures that citizens need to continue to practice to prevent spread. I think the government has done the needful in issuing guidelines on how to prevent the spread but it’s left for citizens to follow these guidelines.
“It’s going to be very difficult to go on another lockdown because of the enormous negative economic implications. However, government may have to insist on some forms of restrictions that can further reduce the spread,” Olosunde said.
The expert in infectious diseases reiterated that preventive measures still remains critical, such as use of face mask, frequent hand washing and social distancing in preventing the pandemic.
ROYAL NEWS is recruiting. Click for details
Copyright 2020 ROYAL NEWS. All rights reserved. Digital material on this website, may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from ROYAL NEWS.Contact: info@royalnews.com.ng
- Politics2 years ago
Breaking…Kwara assembly suspends 16 LGs chairmen
- News1 year ago
Army approves cigarettes allowance, N20,000 salary increment for soldiers
- Metro1 year ago
BREAKING…. Kwara govt announces total lockdown in Offa
- Education1 year ago
UNILORIN education faculty emerges best in Nigeria
- Politics1 year ago
Gbemi Saraki finally breaks silence, changes political slogan
- Politics1 year ago
Breaking… Kwara governor appoints Yinka Aluko S A Special Duties
- News2 years ago
Sokoto assembly confirms Gov Tambuwal’s 26 comissioner nominees
- Politics2 years ago
Breaking…GOV. ABDULRAZAQ APPOINTS COMMITTEE ON REVIEW OF SALES OF GOVT PROPERTY (See full names)