Coronavirus Is Real
April fool is a slang that is majorly used for pranking people, but in a time like this, it is imperative to reiterate the need for people to take COVID-19 seriously and believe that the virus is real and deadly.
Aside taking it seriously, it is also necessary to strictly adhere to all precautionary measures as advised by medical experts and relevant agencies to safe more lives and put an end to the further spread of the virus.
In Nigeria, two deaths have been recorded with over 100 people infected while the Federal government has announced that it was tracing 6,000 people who had contact with about 111 people who have tested positive to the virus.
As at the time of putting this article together, there are 824,255 cases globally with 40,655 deaths recorded while 174, 359 infected people have recovered from the virus.
The figure is an indication that the virus is not a matter of April fool as assumed in some quarters, particularly in Nigeria.
Italy is topping the charts as the worst hit countries around the world and many people in the country have become victim of the virus with the country’s prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte declaring that the country is helpless in handling the situation.
Also, the World health Organization, WHO, had declared the virus as a pandemic with no confirmed cure or vaccines yet.
Notable among the people who have tested positive to the virus in Nigeria includes the Chief of staff to the President, Abba Kyari, the Kaduna state Governor, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, Oyo state Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde and Bauchi state Governor, Bala Mohammed.
Others include the Chief Medical Director of University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Professor Jesse Otegbayo, the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Muhammed Babandede, the current provost of the University of Ibadan College of Medicine, Professor Ezekiel and Professor Obafunke, the deputy provost of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.
Also, Son of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar, tested positive for COVID-19, Mr. Abubakar made this known via his verified Twitter handle.
In the entertainment industry, David Adeleke’s fiancee, Chioma Roland also tested positive to the virus.
The names listed is not aimed at defaming anyone among the notable Nigerians who have tested positive to the virus but to serve as a reminder that it is real and not April fool, hence it deserves to be taken seriously.
As advised by the Nigeria centre for Disease control, NCDC, regular hand washing exercise, social distancing and personal hygiene is key to ensuring that the pandemic is contained.
Everyevery.ng wishes you a happy new month and advise that you adhere to precautionary measures as a way to stay safe.