Billions of people around the world had an amazing plan this year, but no one envisions early 2020 to be this dreadful, and frightful. There is no need for introduction, I guess by now, you’ve heard of CoronaVirus. The sad reality is that it is spreading quickly and will continue to spread for a while.
Did you know that as at the time of writing this, we are getting roughly 13,000 (thirteen thousand) new cases a day and it’s growing faster than ever?
No one really knows how many people will be infected by this deadly virus (or those that will sadly be victims), but it has caused the global stock markets to crash, affects education, crumbled economics, and spike the price of foodstuffs in most Nigerian cities to an all-time high.
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What is coronavirus disease (COVID-19)?
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that is responsible for COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.
Meaning of Covid-19?
The CO – means Corona
The VI – means Virus.
The D – means Disease.
The 19 – means it started in 2019. This is how the official name for this deadly virus COVID-19 that attacks the lungs was arrived at.
What are CoronaVirus Symptoms?
The World Health Organization (WHO) disclosed that reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.
The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.
- Fever.
- Cough.
- Shortness of breath.
How to Contact NCDC?
Phone Number: 080097000010
Join/chat NCDC Whatsapp: +234-708-711-0839.
SMS: +234-909-955-5577.
Websites: covid19.ncdc.gov.ng
Twitter: NCDCgov
Facebook: NCDCgov.
Labs where you can test yourself in Nigeria.
- Osun State (African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases.)
- University College Hospital Ibadan (Ibadan)
- Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos (Lagos state).
- Nigeria institute for medical research (Lagos state).
- NCDC National Reference Laboratory, Abuja (FCT Abuja).
- Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, (Edo State).
Help Received So Far.
- Embassy of the Republic of China
- Jack Ma Foundation.
- Dangote.
- Abdul Samad Rabiu’s of BUA Group pledges N1bn.
- Tony O. Elumelu of UBA Group pledges N5bn.
- Femi Otedola pledges one (1) billion Naira.
- Herbert Wigwe of Access Bank group.
- Segun Agbaje of GTBank plc.
covid 19 support in nigeria
Other Helps.
You can now get live updates on Covid-19. Browse http://covid19.ncdc.gov.ng or http://www.health.gov.ng for FREE on the Airtel network.
On MTN Nigeria, you can open these websites for free without DATA.
Covid-19 State Help Lines in Nigeria.
How to test for Covid-19 in Nigeria.
Take note that testing is 100% FREE.
If I think I’m sick, what should I do?
All countries have their personal Centre for Disease Control (CDC) official number to call, same as Nigeria. The COVID-19 symptoms are very similar to that of the common flu, so don’t panic if you are symptomatic.
What you need to do, is to contact the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control at 080097000010 and explain your symptoms. Take note that the NCDC is receiving various calls, so they may put you on hold. The Health Center staff are trained to assess your symptoms and will recommend the proper course of action for you.
How does Covid-19 spread?
- Person-to-person spread:
The virus has been confirmed to spread mainly from infected person-to-person.
According to WHO, this virus is easily transmittable between people who are in close contact with one another (especially if you are within 6 feet).
- Via Respiratory Droplets.
The Covid-19 can easily be spread through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Note that these droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. This is why Nose-Mask is recommended.
- Coming in contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.
It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. This is why the usual “Handshake” is not recommended in greeting friends anymore. This virus sticks to the palm and studies have shown that humans touch their faces 20 times per hour.
Can someone spread the virus without being sick?
This is one question most Nigerians are asking and confused. Well, it’s important to note that people are thought to be most contagious when they are showing the full symptoms (when they are sickest).
However, you should know that what made this virus more deadly, is that some spread might be possible before people start showing symptoms; there have been reports of this occurring with this new coronavirus. However, this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
How easily the Covid-19 Spreads?
There are no statistics to prove how this virus spreads. However, how a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary depending on the type of virus. Some viruses are highly contagious (which means that is can easily spread, e.g measles), while other viruses are not highly contagious.
One of the most important factors is whether the spread is sustained, spreading continually without stopping.
The virus that causes COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community (“community spread”) in some affected geographic areas.
How to Prevent Covid-19.
Currently, as at the time of writing this article, there is no vaccine capable of preventing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, scientists are working tirelessly to get a vaccine.
- The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
- The virus is widely spread mainly from person-to-person, especially between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
- The coronavirus is easily spread through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes and it drops close to your eyes, nose or mouth or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Best Way to Prevent Covid-19.
- Always ensure you clean your hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap is not available, it’s recommended you use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry on your hands.
- Please, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and your mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact (remember, this virus can be transmitted from an infected person who is yet to show symptoms).
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick until they are diagnosed.
- Always put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
- Take steps to protect others.
- Stay home if you’re sick and call the NCDC number, keep those around you safe by wearing a face mask or staying away.
- Stay home if you are sick, even if it’s not Covid-19, you should only step outside to get medical care.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
- After sneezing, make sure you throw away the used tissues into the trash.
- After sneezing or coughing, immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- It does not matter whether you’re sick of Covid-19 or not, always wear a facemask if you are sick.
What to do If you are sick:
The first thing you need to do if you noticed that you are sick, is to wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office.
However, for severe cases where one is not able to wear a facemask (maybe because it causes trouble breathing), then you should endeavor to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should always wear a facemask if they enter your room.
What to do If you are NOT Sick:
If you are not sick, there is no need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick. Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.
Always ensure you clean and disinfect your environment, surfaces or objects. You should always clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
If surfaces are dirty, clean them. You should always use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
What is NCDC Doing?
First, we recommend the efforts put in place by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), but the website provided “http://covid19.ncdc.gov.ng/” is not opening fast. It takes time to load.
The toll-free numbers provided are delayed and those experiencing symptoms are anxious to talk to an expert. The NCDC should hire more health-experts to provide Nigerians calling the number with attention quickly.
As a Nigerian, what should we expect?
It’s at times like this that we know how important and free we’ve been. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has been tirelessly tweeting safety tips, other important information and giving us live updates on the statistics.
However, the NCDC has bad reviews, as many are claiming on Twitter, Nairaland, etc. A Nigerian named “Emma” wrote on his experience with the NCDC and we decide to share it below.
I read today about a Nigerian guy who called the NCDC line today to explain his symptoms and was told that the NCDC team only attend to people that had come in contact with someone who just came back to Nigeria. With this attitude, I can only conclude that there is no seriousness in this Government in fighting this deadly Virus. Yes, right from the beginning when other first world countries are saying that they can’t contain this virus, the Nigerian Health Minister said we have the capacity to contain it. They refused to close all points of entry in the country because they thought its a joke, now they won’t even respond to Emergency calls.
We should pray hard, because once this gets to the common man in Nigeria, who believes they are immune to this virus, who still believes that the Nigerian hot weather will kill the virus inside you, who believes the cure for every sickness is either paracetamol or antibiotics, then I am sorry to say, Nigeria might just become worse than Italy.
Stay safe guys, Stay indoors.
Interesting Videos for you.
What you can do to protect yourself.
Don’t exploit the situation.
This issue is getting out of hands, how can people be exploiting a virus as threatening as Covid-19? The first thing we are seeing is people trying to exploit fear. Making fake hand sanitizers with gel, etc.
The truth is that these commodities/supplies are running low around the world. From masks and toilet paper to hand sanitizer and other basic necessities.
PS: Please be safe and, if possible, stay indoors.