Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are normally transmitted between animals and people. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by a new strain of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that has not been previously identified in humans. It was first reported to WHO on the 31st of December, 2019 in Wuhan, China.
Scientists and public health officials are working hard to identify the source of the SARS-CoV-2 which is the virus that causes COVID-19. The initial transmission appeared to be from an animal source, but there has been person-to-person transmission in countries.
There have been reported outbreaks of COVID-19 in some closed settings, such as restaurants, nightclubs, places of worship or places of work where people may be shouting, talking, or singing.
This means that aerosol transmission, especially in indoor locations where there are crowded and inadequately ventilated spaces where infected persons spend long periods of time with others, cannot be ruled out.
WHO has called for more studies to investigate such instances and assess their significance for transmission of COVID-19.
From the evidence so far, the virus causing COVID-19 can be transmitted in ALL AREAS, including areas with hot and humid weather.
The number of cases and deaths from COVID-19 in Nigeria can be found here
There is no specific cure yet for COVID-19. However, there are many ongoing clinical trials to test various potential antivirals. Current management of cases aims to relieve the symptoms while the body’s immune system fights the illness.
Currently, the national case management guidelines stipulate that hydroxychloroquine should only be used in clinical trial settings, until there is scientific evidence on its efficacy and safety.
This means strictly staying at home or identified accommodation, away from situations where you mix with family members or the general public, for a period of 14 days. The NCDC guidelines on this can be found here.
It is expected that every Nigerian resident takes responsibility for controlling the spread of COVID-19. State Governments are also adopting various mechanisms to ensure compliance with instituted measures by the Federal Government including self-isolation. If you know anyone who is not complying with these measures, call your state hotline to enable further investigation.
This is an effective strategy to reduce physical interaction between people towards limiting the spread of COVID-19. This means maintaining a distance of at least 2 metres from others. The NCDC guidelines on this can be found here.
This measure involves strict adherence to:
The Federal Government of Nigeria has initiated a Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 now Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 to provide high-level strategic national response to the disease in Nigeria. The Federal Ministry of Health has activated an NCDC-led national COVID-19 Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to coordinate the national public health response. At state-level, preparedness and response activities are being coordinated through Public Health EOCs in each State.
The NCDC has also launched a campaign themed #TakeResponsibility. This is a call to all Nigerians and residents in the country to join forces and be proactive in taking greater individual and collective responsibility in preventing and controlling the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria.
The Federal Government of Nigeria declared the resumption of international flights on 5th September, 2020. International flights into and out of Nigeria are operating with appropriate safety protocols in place.
Passengers traveling to & departing from Nigeria are required to log on to https://nitp.ncdc.gov.ng to complete a pre-registration form. The Provisional Quarantine Protocol for Travelers can be found here
The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 (PSC-COVID-19) has reviewed the protocol for all return travellers to Nigeria.
Passengers travelling to Nigeria from any country must carry out a COVID-19 PCR test within 48 hours to the day of travel and test NEGATIVE. Travellers must register and make payment on the Nigeria International Travel Portal (NITP) for a repeat PCR test to be carried out after arrival.
Upon arrival in Nigeria,
Passengers who do not adhere to the travel protocol will face the penalty as stipulated by the PSC-COVID-19
The travel protocol for international travel can be found here
No. The Federal Government has approved the resumption of inter-state travel, with appropriate safety protocols in place. However, the restriction in movement from 12am to 4am remains in place to limit social interactions and reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19. Persons that are on essential duty are exempted from the curfew.
The Federal Government has lifted the ban on intrastate travel (only outside curfew hours) and mandated a reduction in the sitting capacity for the public transport sector by 50%.
Yes. Gatherings in a venue filled to more than 50% of its original capacity is prohibited. See safety guidelines for conducting conferences and events here
Whether a COVID-19 patient died in the health facility or in the community, the body must be granted a safe and dignified burial guided by the Interim Guidelines for the Safe Management of a Dead Body in the Context of COVID-19 and Guidelines for Safe Transportation of Remains of Persons Suspected or Confirmed to have Died of COVID-19. This is supported by the State Ministry of Health and should not involve a gathering of more than 20 people.
The criteria for testing for COVID-19 is according to the national case definition. This is anyone with cough and/or fever (or history of fever in the last two weeks) with one or more of known COVID-19 symptoms. Do not self-medicate. The community case definition can also be accessed here.
If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19, you must self-isolate and call your state helpline. The State Ministry of Health supported by NCDC will arrange for sample collection and communicate your result.
The NCDC does not provide #COVID19 or any other test results to individuals. These results are provided by the labs to the State Ministry of Health, who have the primary responsibility to communicate with individuals. Please contact your state hotline for information on your test results. The link to the state helplines can be found here
Yes, The current list of laboratories within the NCDC network for the testing of COVID-19 in Nigeria can be found here.
Also, some private laboratories have been accredited to test for COVID-19. The list to the private testing laboratories can be found here
To reduce the risk of infection or spread of COVID-19, members of the public are advised to adhere to the following hand and respiratory hygiene measures:
Based on current knowledge of the disease, the following category of people are considered vulnerable and at high-risk of complications from COVID-19:
See NCDC advisory for vulnerable groups here.
To get tested, visit a sample collection centre closest to you. List of sample collection sites in states can be found here.
If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19, immediately contact your state helpline or the NCDC on 6232 (toll-free) for further guidance.
It is important you avoid contact with others to limit the spread of the disease. The State Ministry of Health supported by NCDC will arrange for sample collection and transportation to the laboratory.
Currently, there is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 through imported goods or packages from countries with confirmed cases. Till date, there is no known case of COVID-19 in Nigeria associated with imported goods.
Currently, there is no evidence that pregnant women are at higher risk of infection or complications from COVID-19. However, due to changes that may occur during pregnancy, pregnant women are always advised to stay at home and adhere strictly to physical distancing measures and hygiene practices. The Federal Ministry of Health, NCDC and partners have published Guidelines for Pregnant Women and Nursing Mothers.
The NCDC has published Guidance for Employers and Businesses in Nigeria. In line with the directives from the Federal Government of Nigeria, markets and locations of economic activities will have controlled access; the financial sector shall be fully opened with banks operating normal working hours as well as the manufacturing industry and gradual opening of the informal sector
Businesses are advised to display signages in office or business premises reminding staff and visitors to maintain good and respiratory hygiene. Encourage sick employees to stay at home if they are unwell. Ensure physical distancing and routine cleaning of high contact areas such as toilets, door handles, telephones.
It is normal for viruses to mutate, and the new variant of Coronavirus that has been discovered in several countries across the world, is as a result of such a mutation.
The variants that are causing concern have emerged in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Japan and Brazil.
So far, some cases have been identified in Nigeria, with the B.1.1.7 variant which was first identified in the United Kingdom.
There is currently no evidence showing that the variant is more severe than previous viruses. There is also no evidence yet that the variants have any impact on current vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics. This is being monitored by ongoing surveillance and research, and the information may change.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control is coordinating efforts to increase genomic surveillance of the virus, to identify circulating variants.
This includes genetic sequencing of viruses in positive cases among travelers from countries with widespread prevalence of variants of concern.
If you receive a positive COVID-19 test result, you will be contacted by the State Ministry of Health. You will be advised on if you can self-isolate at home. This will depend on your symptoms, age, pre-existing illness and capacity to self-isolate safely without infecting others in your household.
A patient’s handbook for home-based care can be found on https://covid19.ncdc.gov.ng/media/files/COVID19PatientsBookforHomebasedCare.pdf
The Government of Nigeria through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) is leading Nigeria’s efforts to access safe, effective and efficacious COVID-19 vaccines. Only vaccines approved by the Government of Nigeria and provided through accredited means should be accessed. Please avoid accepting vaccines from unknown sources. Further information on vaccines will be provided by NPHCDA.
Following WHO’s emergency use authorisation of two Antigen (Ag)-based Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) by SD Biosensor and Abbott, NCDC carried out a national validation. These two Ag-based RDTs have now been approved for use in congregate settings. These Ag-RDTs have limitations such as producing a false negative result. It is therefore important that Ag-RDTs are only used as recommended. Please see further guidance on https://covid19.ncdc.gov.ng/media/files/Guidance_for_the_use_of_approved_COVID-19_Ag_RDTs_in_Nigeria.pdf
Yes, you are advised to continue to practice the preventive measures to stop community transmission of COVID-19.
The COVID-19 vaccine offers a higher level of protection against severe symptoms of the disease but does not prevent you from getting infected with the virus and transmitting it to others unless you practice preventive public health measures
A phased COVID-19 vaccine roll-out plan is being implemented by our sister agency, NPHCDA. For more FAQs visit, https://nphcda.gov.ng/faqs/.
The Delta variant is not a new disease. It is a mutation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. This variant spreads faster than other known COVID-19 variants.
When a virus replicates or makes copies of itself, it sometimes changes a little bit. These changes are called “mutations.” A virus with one or several new mutations is referred to as a “variant” of the original virus.
The NCDC continues to coordinate genomic sequencing of samples from COVID-19 cases. This is how variants are detected.
The data on the epidemiology of variants in Nigeria is used for appropriate decision making. For example, the Presidential Steering Committee uses this as part of the criteria in introducing travel restrictions.
The prevention of further transmission of the Delta variant depends on adherence to public health and social measures. This includes wearing of facemasks, hand washing using soap and running water, avoiding crowded areas and physical distancing. Given the global risk of spread of the Delta variant, it is important to comply with the required isolation period and tests for all travelers into Nigeria.
The more people get vaccinated, the more virus circulation will be reduced and lower the chance there is for new mutations and variants. We urge all Nigerians to accept the COVID-19 vaccine as it offers substantial protection.
Given the low coverage of COVID-19 vaccination in Nigeria, it is important that vaccinated people continue adhering to public health and social measures.
Because Delta is a variant of the same virus—SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID 19—the symptoms are the same.
These symptoms include fever, dry cough, sore throat, headache, body pain, tiredness, loss of taste or smell and difficulty breathing.
It is very important to get tested if you have any of these symptoms or have been in contact with a confirmed case. You should remain in self-isolation while awaiting a test result.
There are ongoing studies by scientists to learn more about how this variant spreads.
Available data shows that World Health Organization (WHO) approved vaccines provide substantial protection against severe disease, hospitalisation or death due to the Delta variant and other variants. The level of protection is higher after receiving two doses, if it is a two-dose vaccine.
Further studies that assess the effectiveness of the current COVID vaccines against the variants are ongoing.
There is evidence that the Delta variant spreads more easily than other known COVID-19 variants. Therefore, it is important to adhere to all COVID-19 preventive measures, including appropriate use of face mask, frequent handwashing with soap and running water, maintaining physical distance and avoiding large gatherings.
A variant of concern is a variant for which there is evidence of an increase in transmissibility, more severe disease (e.g., increased hospitalisations or deaths), significant reduction in neutralisation by antibodies generated during previous infection or vaccination, reduced effectiveness of treatments or vaccines, or diagnostic detection failures.
The current COVID-19 variants of concern as recognised by WHO are Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta.
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