The federal ministry of health has said there is no evidence of new COVID variant XEC in Nigeria.
Gatekeepers News reports that the variant which was first reported in Australia has spread to 29 countries.
Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations at Health Ministry, Alabi Balogun in a statement released on Saturday, said the new COVID variant hasn’t been discovered in the country.
Balogun advised Nigerians not to panic but to continue taking precautions by observing personal hygiene.
He said the government has also taken precautionary measures by establishing molecular laboratories, isolation centres, and intensive care units equipped with ventilators at federal tertiary hospitals.
The statement reads, “You may recall that a newly detected COVID variant, XEC, was reported in Australia and has spread to about 29 countries globally and has shown a more virulence over other circulating strains with concern over its possible impact on service delivery in our federal tertiary hospitals.”
“However, the good news is that there is no evidence of COVID variant XEC in Nigeria.
“In light of the above, the general public is advised not to panic but to continue with the universal precautions of observing personal hygiene, including regular washing of hands.”
“The federal ministry of health and social welfare, through her agencies, has stepped up surveillance, including at all entry points to Nigeria.”
“The federal government has proactively upgraded our federal tertiary hospitals by establishing molecular laboratories, isolation centres, and intensive care units equipped with ventilators.”
“Since the COVID variant XEC has not been detected in Nigeria, it has therefore become imperative to correct the misinformation and fear of the general public concerning the resurgence of COVID-19 in Nigeria.”
