In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns and heavy restrictions on social and economic activities have been instituted by several countries. In Nigeria, on the 29th of March 2020, President Muhammadu Buhari announced the lockdown of activities in the FCT, Lagos and Ogun States as part of efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19. Subsequently, many other states adopted this measure, given the public health benefits. While this has limited the spread of the virus, the associated socio-economic disruption cannot be over-emphasised.
On the 4th of May 2020, the Federal Government of Nigeria commenced gradual easing of the lockdown, using a phased approach. This has significantly contributed to the progressive return of life to normalcy as well as reviving the economy. The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 (PTF-COVID-19) has continued to assess the situation, transmission dynamics in the country, and determine ways to mitigate the socio-economic impacts of the lockdown by ensuring the safe re-opening of the economy.
Based on the best available evidence, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has continued to develop COVID-19 guidelines and protocols to guide the public on preventive measures against this disease. On the 5th of August 2020, the PTF-COVID-19 announced further easing of the second phase of the lockdown, with recommendations in line with the three thematic areas below:
1. General Movement: While restrictions on interstate travels and other movement limitations have been relaxed, Nigerians are henceforth urged to comply with mandatory use of face masks and avoid unnecessary contact with people
2. Industry and labour: This stipulates normal working hours for both the public and private sectors. However, the leadership of these institutions are to ensure the provision of sanitisers and appropriate personal protective equipment to all workers and also ensure strict compliance with their usage
3. Community activities: Asides recent resumption of exiting students, schools are encouraged to continue with e-learning and virtual teaching until further notice. The restriction on outdoor communal (non-contact) sports has been removed and the use of recreational parks for supervised physical exercise permitted.
As Nigeria commemorates World Mask Week (WMM), we urge Nigerians to also participate and share on social media using #MaskOnNaija, how they are being a part of the solution to this global challenge. NCDC will continue to put in place all necessary public health measures to protect Nigerians from COVID-19, however, the country’s ability to control the spread of the virus largely depends on individual and collective efforts. For more information on the updated guidelines, kindly see here.
Summary of Incidents
Notes
1. Information for this disease was retrieved from the Technical Working Group and Situation Reports
2. Case Fatality Rate (CFR) for this disease is reported for confirmed cases only
3. Information for this disease was retrieved from IDSR 002 data
4. CFR for this disease is reported for total cases i.e. suspected + confirmed
5. Information for sentinel influenza was retrieved from the laboratory
Lassa Fever
Key points
• There were 26 suspected cases, none was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded from 13 LGAs in four states.
Actions
To date:
• National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) continues to coordinate the response activities at all levels
• Enhanced surveillance (contact tracing and active case finding) ongoing in affected states
Planned:
• Continue mobilisation of resources
Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM)
Key points
There were two suspected cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) reported from two LGAs in two states (Nasarawa – 1 & Yobe - 1). There was no laboratory confirmed case and no death was recorded
Actions
To date:
• National CSM TWG meets weekly to review reports from states and plan appropriately
• Enhanced surveillance in all states
Planned:
• Continue harmonisation of the national line list and SORMAS data
• Continue to ensure that states reporting cases send their line lists and collect CSM samples
Yellow Fever
Key points
• There were 30 suspected cases of Yellow Fever (YF) reported from 18 LGAs in 11 states. None was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded
Actions
To date:
• National multiagency YF Technical Working Group (TWG) is coordinating response activities
Planned:
• Continue harmonisation of surveillance and laboratory data ongoing
Cholera
Key points
• There were 38 suspected cases of cholera reported from two LGAs in two states (Borno – 2 & Kebbi – 36). None was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded
Actions
To date
• National Cholera Multi-Sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) is monitoring all states and supporting affected states
Planned:
• Continue follow up and monitoring of non-reporting states
• Continue harmonisation of the national line list and SORMAS data
Measles
Key points
• There were 76 suspected cases of measles reported from 39 LGAs in 11 states. None was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded
Actions
To date
• National Measles TWG is closely monitoring measles surveillance data and providing feedback to relevant agencies and development partners
• Weekly surveillance and laboratory data harmonisation ongoing
Planned:
• Intensify follow up with states to update and transmit line list
• Continue monthly measles surveillance data review
Monkeypox
Key points
• There was no suspected case of Monkeypox reported this week
Actions
To date
• National Monkeypox Technical Working Group (TWG) is monitoring activities in all states
Planned:
• Enhance surveillance for monkeypox in high burden states
• Continue harmonisation of the national line list and SORMAS data
Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP)
Key points
• There were 94 suspected cases of AFP reported from 86 LGAs in 26 states and FCT. None was laboratory confirmed and no death was recorded
National Influenza Sentinel Surveillance
Key points
• The subtypes A seasonal H3, 2009A/H1N1 and A/not subtyped account for 0 (0.0%), 2 (9.5%) and 19 (90.5%) of the total influenza A positive sample, respectively. The subtypes B VICTORIA, B Not subtyped and B Yamagata account for 0 (0.0%), 8 (100%) and 0 (0.0%) of the total influenza B positive samples, respectively.
• The percentage influenza positive was highest in week 10 with 40%.
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
Actions
To date:
• National COVID-19 multi-partner Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) continues to coordinate response activities across states
• Commenced the National Training of Trainers (TOT) for case managers from Federal Tertiary Hospitals and Institutions supporting the COVID-19 outbreak response in the North West and South West States on 10th August 2020
• Engaged the Presidential Task Force (PTF) and partners to develop new selection criteria for the identification and update of the list of hotspot Local Government Area (LGA)
• Ongoing engagement with states on data quality improvement
• Commenced nationwide campaign to commemorate the World Mask day
Planned:
• Risk Assessment analysis of waste management in treatment centres
• Work with partners supporting contact tracing and active case search in LGAs
• Follow up on step-down and implementation of surveillance strategy at the states and LGAs
• Continue to engage and support the states on the establishment of accessible walk-in sites
Timeliness and Completeness of Reports
Timeliness and Completeness of Reports by State