BY ADEKOLA BOLUWAJI NIFEMI

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported that the threat of the COVID-19 virus persists in many countries, particularly for high-risk groups.

NCDC reported days after the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that COVID-19 was no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

NCDC Director-General Ifedayo Adetifa said in a statement at the weekend that the WHO statement aims to enable countries to transition from acute emergency response to COVID-19 management in health facilities with integrated health systems for all infectious diseases.

He added that the threat of the virus persists in countries and around the world, particularly for high-risk groups.

“While community transmission continues, the risk remains that new variants will emerge, leading to an increase in cases and even deaths,” noted Adetifa.
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Adetifa noted that Nigeria has already de-escalated the COVID-19 response since 2022 in response to local epidemiology focused on promoting COVID-19 vaccination and the use of discretionary face masks and other public safety measures health based on a personal risk assessment.

“This will continue to be complemented by efforts to use pandemic response (teaching, resources, partnerships, etc.) to improve our national health security by strengthening the health system, improving public health crisis management training, laboratories and infrastructure are modernized; and strategic direction to improve emergency preparedness and planning by state and local governments,” he added.