Contrary to claims, mainly from foreign media that the new variant of COVID-19, called Omicron, has been detected in Nigeria, it is yet to be detected.
The Canadian Government had disclosed it has quarantined three people who visited Nigeria and later tested positive to Omicron, thereby placing Nigeria under watch along with South Africa and other African countries. South African Scientists claimed the virus was only isolated in their lab, and already existed in some European countries.
South Africa is currently under travel pariah status, as the world is gradually closing its doors on them after it was alleged that the virus, which is eliciting talks of possible world lockdown and heightened enforcement of vaccine mandates, particularly the booster shots, originated from there.
The Federal Ministry of Health has, however, in conjunction with Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), insisted that the variant is yet to be detected in Nigeria.
In a statement issued by NCDC Director-General. Ifedayo Adetifa, the Centre said: “We are aware of reports of a new COVID-19 variant – the B.1.1.529 lineage. This SARS-CoV-2 variant has now been designated a variant of concern (VOC) and named; Omicron by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as advised by the independent Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution (TAG-VE).
“Considering the highly likely increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant and its emergence that is linked to unmitigated community transmission of the virus, the NCDC urges Nigerians to ensure strict adherence to the proven public health and social measures in place, which are enforceable by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 (PSC-COVID-19), through the COVID-19 Health Protection Regulations 2021″.
He advised Nigerians to observe all necessary protocols to prevent the spread of the new variant, particularly to use the current vaccination window to get vaccinated.
These include, but are not limited to wearing face masks especially in crowded settings, regular hand washing, and physical distancing, avoiding travel to countries with high COVID-19 cases or its variants, Delta and Omicron.
People should not travel unless necessary.
“If you must travel, please adhere to travel protocols instituted by the PSC-COVID-19 which are in place to prevent the risk of importation of the virus or its variants to Nigeria.”
Indonesia has slammed its doors against Nigeria and six other African countries.
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