COVID-19: NCDC DG commends Nigerians for “reaching out” on shortage of test kits

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has commended Nigerians for “reaching out” on the shortage of the Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)extraction kits.

Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu,Director General of NCDC, his feelings known on Monday on his verified twitter handle.

It was reported that Ihekweazu on Sunday tweeted:”We’re desperately looking for more RNA extraction kits as we expand #COVID19 testing.

”Product: Total viral RNA extraction kits (preferably spin column and with a lysis buffer). Manufacturers: Qiagen, ThermoFischer, SeeGene, Inqaba, LifeRiver etc.”

RNA a polymeric molecule essential in various biological roles in coding, decoding, regulation and expression of genes.

On Monday, Ihekweazu tweeted:”very grateful to everyone who reached out to solve this challenge with us. Our support to each other, even when done quietly, will enable us pull through.

“One day, we will tell the story of this response in full. For now, we keep pushing”.

Our correspondent reports that as at April 26, 2020, 91 new confirmed cases and five new deaths were recorded in Nigeria.

Four new states (Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Kebbi and Taraba) have reported confirmed cases in the last 24 hours.

Till date, 1273 cases have been confirmed, 239 cases have been discharged and 40 deaths have been recorded in 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The 91 new cases are reported from sixteen states- Lagos (43), Sokoto (8), Taraba (6), Kaduna(5), Gombe (5), Ondo (3), FCT (3), Edo (3), Oyo (3), Rivers (3), Bauchi (3), Osun (2), Akwa Ibom (1), Bayelsa (1), Ebonyi (1), Kebbi (1).

A multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level three, continues to coordinate the national response activities.