Director General of the National Centre for Disease Control, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, says there is huge increase in the number of samples sent to the agency’s national reference laboratory from several states and the Federal Capital Territory.
He said this has led to “an unusual delay with testing.”
“But we’re working round the clock. Many have cut short first leave of the year and returned to work,” Iheweazu said in a tweet via his verified Twitter handle @Chikwe_I on Thursday [today].
Responding to the tweet, PUNCH HealthWise asked, “Specifically, sir, can you state the outstanding number of samples awaiting testing?”
The DG has yet to respond to the enquiry as of the time of filing this story.
See the tweet:
Over recent weeks, we’ve had a huge increase in number of samples to NCDC Nat. Reference Lab from several states & FCT
This has led to an unusual delay with testing, but we’re working round the clock. Many have cut short 1st leave of the year & returned to work
We #keeppushing pic.twitter.com/r1ULOPV0jI
— Chikwe Ihekweazu (@Chikwe_I) December 24, 2020
Meanwhile, Ihekweazu says individuals aged above 50 years or with critical medical conditions have higher risk of complication from COVID-19 infection.
He urged such persons to avoid contact with anyone who is showing symptoms of COVID-19, as well as to shun non-essential outings and visitors; while they should also avoid large gatherings and crowded spaces.
The post There’s unusual delay with COVID-19 testing -Ihekweazu appeared first on Healthwise.
