Coronavirus: We are looking for 6,000 contacts – NCDC

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says it is trying to identify 6,000 people who have had close contact with coronavirus cases.

Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director-General of NCDC, disclosed this on Monday when he appeared on Channels Television.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, currently has over 110 cases.

Ihekweazu said the numbers are expected to keep rising, but assured that the NCDC was on top of the situation.

“We expect cases of COVID19 to rise as we improve the capacity to detect and test. Our laboratories are activated to function 24/7.

“We appeal to Nigerians to work with us in compliance with the measures instituted by the President,” he said.

Ihekweazu noted that Nigeria has been lucky not to have had too many severe cases.

He disclosed that the NCDC has currently tested well over 2,000 people and has also increased the number of laboratories in its network.

Dr, Chikwe lamented that the agency was being bogged down by people who do not require the test.

“So we have to manage demand. We have to focus on those who need it the most.”

He confirmed that the duration between testing and results depends on several factors.

“But it is between 24 to 48 hours. Our target is to get results out in 12 hours,” the NCDC boss added.