Nigeria’s coronavirus cases now 81 as virus spreads to Enugu

Staff members spray disinfectant at a subway station in Wuhan, in China's central Hubei province, as the subway prepares to reopen to the public after closing due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. - China reported more than 50 imported cases of the coronavirus on March 27, hours after announcing a ban on foreigners entering the country. (Photo by STR / AFP) / China OUT

The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Nigeria has risen to 81, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control said on Friday night.

The NCDC confirmed 11 new cases. Eight of the cases were discovered in Lagos, while two were discovered in Enugu and one in Edo State.

“As at 11:55pm 27th March, there are 81 confirmed cases of #COVID19 reported in Nigeria. 3 have been discharged with 1 death,” NCDC tweeted.

Of the 81 confirmed cases, Lagos has 52, the federal capital territory (FCT) 14, Ogun three and Oyo three.

Edo, Bauchi and Enugu states have two cases each. And Ekiti, Osun and Rivers states have one case each.

Suleiman Achimugu, former managing director of the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), is Nigeria’s only casualty from the disease so far. He died on Monday after returning to the country from the UK.

Three patients have been discharged from hospital.

The Lagos state government had said six patients have recovered from the disease and would soon be allowed to go home.

Nigeria has closed its land borders and international airports in the last week to curb the spread of the virus. The government also said it might ban inter-state travels soon.

But the country’s Information Minister Lai Mohammed said the country might take more strict measure citing an “exponential spread” threat of the virus “in days to come.”

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