The Director – General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, says the increase in figures of confirmed coronavirus cases in Nigeria is a reflection of the increased testing capacity in the laboratories across the country.
Speaking specifically on the response in Kogi at the presidential task force on COVID-19 briefing on Friday, Ihekweazu noted that the agency could only offer help where it was needed, expressing concern about the situation in Kogi and Cross River.
On Thursday, the Kogi government had insisted that NCDC officials who came on an assessment visit to the state be subjected to a 14-day quarantine.
“NCDC quarantined the Chinese professionals that came to give them technical support and also took their samples for test. It is a normal practice and protocol set by NCDC,” a statement by Kingsley Fanwo, Kogi state commissioner for information, read.
However, Ihekweazu confirmed on Friday that the team had to return to Abuja, as the Kogi government rejected the offer to help.
“We can only offer help where it is wanted. Yesterday, we offered that help but it wasn’t in a place where the help could be accepted. Unfortunately, that was what happened last night,” Ihekweazu said.
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