Ekiti Alerts Residents To New COVID- 19 Variant

KITI State Government, yesterday, alerted its indigenes and residents to Nigeria Centre for Disease Control’s ( NCDC) confirmation of the new COVID- 19 variant in Nigeria.

According to the government, the World Health Organisation ( WHO) had described the variant as the “most transmissible variant,” with the ability to go undetected in many hosts without the typical symptoms, yet severely impacting other infected persons within a short time.

It is also reported that the variant can resist antibodies in the blood, among other worrisome attributes.

In a statement jointly signed by the Commissioner for Health & Human Services, Dr. Oyebanji Filani and Prof. Mobolaji E. Aluko, Coordinator, COVID- 19 Response Task Force, they said the development was a source of grave concern, be

cause the arrival of the variant in over 100 other countries globally, has so far resulted in a spike in positive cases, through community transmission of the dominant strain, as well as increased hospitalisation and mortalities.

“More so, WHO data shows that for seven consecutive weeks, Africa has recorded a consistent increase in COVID19 cases.

“Consequently, most affected countries have reinforced extensive mitigative restrictions and travel bans, as their health

care systems struggle to cope with devastating third wave of the pandemic.

“We must remain vigilant and cautious to ensure that we do not suffer the same fate in Ekiti State and in our country.

“Ekiti State COVID- 19 Response Task Force would heighten surveillance, and the strict enforcement of all existing measures aimed at containing the pandemic in the state.

“All indigenes and residents are, hereby, enjoined to adhere to the government’s public health advisories and regulations in our collective interests.”