Coronavirus: Virologist urges Nigerian government to expand capacity

A Jos-based virologist, Dr. Solomon Chollom has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to increase testing capacity for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak in the country.

He spoke against the backdrop of revelation by the Director-General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, that Nigeria with a population of about 200 million people was in search of over 5,000 contacts across the country.

The expert said that Nigerians cannot rely on the seven testing centers in the country.

Chollom said; “So far,  it will be convenient to say that less than two percent of Nigerians have been tested for the virus. This is not good in a pandemic of the magnitude we are currently experiencing.

“Also, in view of widespread complaints, it appears that only elites in Nigeria are currently having access to the test.

“Some people have lamented how they have had to try, without success, to test themselves or relatives for the virus due to pressure on the few testing centres,” he said.

The virologist added that with the high rate of transmission of this contagion, a Class A pathogen at that, Nigeria should ordinarily have testing centres in all states of the federation to increase the accessibility of Nigerians for the test to ensure that every infected person was taken to the isolation/treatment centre.

He, however, said that the Federal Government could take up the challenge and establish a Biosafety level IV labs across the country, as a matter of urgency, to save the lives of citizens.