UK New Variant COVID-19, B117 Discovers in Nigeria

The Federal Government has said the new type of COVID-19, B117 variant strain that was first reported in the United Kingdom has been discovered in Nigeria.

Boss Mustapha, the Chairman, Presidential Task Force (PTF) and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, disclosed this on Monday.

He said four cases of COVID-19 B117 variant strain was recorded.

Mustapha said; “over the last few weeks, the PTF had been closely following the rising number of infections reported daily in Nigeria and in other jurisdictions.

“Similarly, our scientists have been sequencing the variants of the virus.

“There have been reports of cases with the B117 variant strain first reported in the UK, found in Nigeria. Three of these were in travelers out of Nigeria and one in a resident”.

Boss Mustapha puts Nigeria’s COVID-19 cases as at January 24, 2020 at 121,566 with total tests of 1,270,523.

He said active cases were 22,834, representing 19.4 percent. The total number of discharged patients were 97,228 while deaths stood at 1,504.

“Also, over seven days ending Jan. 23, the statistics showed that tests conducted were 58,974 while cases recorded were 11,179, with a positivity of 19.0 per cent.

“62 deaths were recorded, with case fatality ratio of 0.6 per cent; active cases stood at 23,568 at 19.4 per cent.

“All these numbers represent increases from the previous seven days and we are looking at taking further public health containment measures in local government areas that are considered high burden,” he explained.