COVID-19: UPDATE

As of January 22^nd, 2021, there are a total of 1964 confirmed new cases recorded in Nigeria in. According to NCDC, 116,655 cases have been confirmed, 93,646 cases have been discharged and 1,485 deaths have been recorded in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

It is important to know that Nigeria has entered its second wave of covid-19 as officially announced by Dr. Ehanire Osagie.

As the World still battles the Coronavirus scourge, we at MetroHealth HMO are committed to providing updated information and guidance to all our members to protect themselves and their community from the infection.

Common signs of infection include;

Early symptoms

• Respiratory symptoms
• Fever (>38degrees)
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Breathing difficulties
• Weakness
• Headache
• Diarrhoea

In more severe cases, infection can cause

• Pneumonia
• Severe acute respiratory syndrome
• Kidney failure
• Death.

There is no specific treatment for diseases caused by COVID-19. However, many of the symptoms can be treated and therefore treatment is based on the patient’s clinical condition.

Moreover, supportive care for infected persons can be highly effective.

Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include;

• Regular hand washing and use alcohol based sanitizers.
• Maintain 1 & half meters distance between yourself and anyone who is sneezing or coughing.
• Practice good respiratory hygiene-covering mouth and nose with elbow when coughing and sneezing.
• Thoroughly cooking of poultry product.
• Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said it is in close contact with UK officials over the emergence of a new variant of coronavirus. The new variant is spreading more rapidly, but it is not believed to be more deadly although said to be 70% more transmissible.

WHAT IS THE NEW COVID-19 STRAIN?

The new strain has been named VUI-202012/01 as it is the first variant under investigation in December.

Not enough is yet known about the strain, so it is premature to make claims about the potential impact of virus mutation. But the virus spreads faster it will be harder to control.

SHOULD WE BE WORRIED?

New variants of the virus are not necessarily always a bad thing, they could even be less virulent.

However, if they spread more easily but cause the same disease severity, more people will end up becoming ill in a shorter period.

Collectively we can reverse the trend of increasing numbers of covid-19 infection in Nigeria. It is important to avoid all non-essential travels, avoid gathering of people, keep hands clean and maintain a reasonable amount of distance. Let us all take responsibility.

For more info contact us on our helplines

Email: clientservices@metrohealthhmo.com, info@metrohealthhmo.com