The Osun state government says it recorded five cases of the COVID-19 strain first discovered in the United Kingdom.
Funke Egbemode, the state commissioner for information and civic orientation, made the announcement in a statement, on Sunday.
This development comes less than a week after the presidential task force on COVID-19 announced that the virus strain first reported in the UK has been found in Nigeria.
Egbemode said the confirmation of five cases of the UK COVID-19 strain is worrisome owing to its deadly nature.
She said the lack of adherence to COVID-19 protocol by residents poses a threat in the coming days.
“The Govt of Osun regrets to announce that the State has in the past few days recorded five cases of the violent & deadly B117 strain of COVID-19,which was first reported in the United Kingdom,” she said.
“This is particularly worrisome because it is barely a week that the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 announced the discovery of the strain in Nigeria, and Osun already has five cases.
“Considering the continued disregard and defiance for safety protocols in the state, the government is extremely concerned about the days ahead.”
Public Service Announcement
COVID-19: Osun recording more cases of deadly UK strain.
The Govt of Osun regrets to announce that the State has in the past few days recorded five cases of the violent & deadly B117 strain of COVID-19,which was first reported in the United Kingdom.
— Government of Osun (@StateofOsun) January 31, 2021
…government is extremely concerned about the days ahead.
This new strain spreads faster and kills quicker. If it continues to grow, more citizens will become vulnerable and those with underlying ailments more endangered.
— Government of Osun (@StateofOsun) January 31, 2021
Apart from the B.1.1.7 COVID-19 strain found in the UK, other reported variants include B.1.351 discovered in South Africa, and P.1 variant identified in Brazil.
The commissioner said if the variant spreads, more persons will become vulnerable, especially those with underlying conditions.
She asked residents to comply with COVID-19 guidelines provided by the government in order to avoid tragic cases.
“This new strain spreads faster and kills quicker. If it continues to grow, more citizens will become vulnerable and those with underlying ailments more endangered,” she said.
“We cannot continue to act like Covid-19 is not real. It is not just a sad reality but one that has changed momentum with this more deadly strain.
“Citizens are enjoined to scale up their personal responsibility for safety by complying with all the non-pharmaceutical protocols outlined by the government, to avoid tragic consequences.”
…outlined by the government, to avoid tragic consequences.
Signed:
Funke Egbemode,
Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation
— Government of Osun (@StateofOsun) January 31, 2021
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), over 1,500 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Osun.