All Nigerian states have reported at least one case of COVID-19 ravaging the country, Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director-General of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), said on Monday.
Mr Ihekweazu ‘s argument is that Cross River is the only state yet to report a case of the virus against the current backdrop.
As of 21 June, Nigeria reported 20,244 cases in 35 states and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
That made Cross River the only state yet to officially report a case even though some health officials claim that in COVID-19 state testing the state government was not clear.
Despite reports that there is no trace of the virus in the state, on June 18, Godwin Akwaji, a member of the state assembly house, died at the state’s COVID-19 isolation centre.
Mr Ihekweazu ‘s remarks on Monday say a case in Cross River was likely confirmed.
Another state, Kogi, remains at loggerheads with the agency over the state’s reported discovery of coronavirus cases.
Mr Ihekweazu, speaking on COVID-19 briefing at the bi-weekly Presidential Task Force (PTF), said that no state and country in the world is COVID-19-free.
“No state, no single state in Nigeria is COVID-19 free, not one.
“No country in the world is COVID-19 free. Even New Zealand, that is an island state is still having new cases after a period of not having any,” he said.
He reiterated the commitment of the agency to continue testing and treating more people.
“We can’t separate ourselves from the rest of the country. We live in a context, viruses spread, it’s the nature of them, so right now no state is COVID-19 free.
“That’s why we have to keep doing this work that we are doing, testing people, finding out if they have it,” he said.
Meanwhile, at the briefing, task force chairman Boss Mustapha said it was important for Nigerians to conduct tests to determine their COVID-19 status.
He remarked the virus was not a death sentence.
“I, therefore, urge Nigerians to make use of these facilities and get tested. Similarly, I implore us not to be afraid of undertaking the COVID-19 test.
“Testing positive for COVID-19 is not a death sentence, but failure to test, especially when symptoms are evident could result in death as it may be too late once the symptoms become full-blown.
“The loss of any Nigerian is not only painful but most avoidable provided we seek help early,” he said.
