Nigeria conducts 5000 coronavirus tests in 6 weeks

Since its first confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19) infection on February 27, 2020, Nigeria has tested over 5,000 samples.

Nigeria has recorded a total of 238 cases in 14 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja in almost six weeks, but many have expressed concerns over the country’s low testing numbers.

While speaking during a media briefing on Monday, April 6, the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, said authorities are working hard to scale up capacity as soon as possible.

He said, “Through enhanced surveillance system and strengthened epidemic intelligence, we’ve continued to detect cases of COVID-19 and treat them to recovery.

“We have tested over 5,000 samples so far and are working hard to scale up capacity in a targeted approach.”

The minister also announced that there will be discussions on making changes to public advisory over coronavirus because there’s been an increase in confirmed cases who have no clear epidemiological definition.