By Deborah Hassan
The Africa Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID), Redeemers University, Ede, Osun State, has detected the new variant of the Coronavirus currently ravaging the United Kingdom in the state.
A publication in Virological, a website for the global Genomics Community, stated that they found the same variant, Lineage B.1.1.7, in samples they collected in the state in August and October, 2020.
According to the Director of the Africa Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID), Professor of Molecular Biology and Genomics, Christian Happi, “The B.1.1.7 lineage we found in Nigeria, predating the one described in the UK, has also been observed to rise rapidly in the UK over the past four weeks, indicating the plausible increased spread of the virus by specific non-synonymous mutations in the spike protein.”
The new strain has struck panic in Nigerian authorities responsible for COVID-19 Monitoring and implementation of protocols as stricter measures have been announced by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 to curb the spread of the virus across the country.
Though not new, the task force’s restrictions seek to reinforce previous ones against mass gatherings, ban on night clubs and other recreation centres, wearing of face masks, social distancing, sanitising hands and observing travel protocols.
The resurgence of the second wave of the virus was expected, due mainly to the poor implementation of the guidelines among Nigerians, as they struggle to choose between protecting their lives and ensuring survival.
Reiterating the need to adhere to the regulations, the Director General of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, Chikwe Ihekweazu, on Sunday harped on the need to implement travel protocol.
He stated in a tweet: “While we study data in Nigeria and await additional guidance from @WHO on new strains causing COVID19, travelers MUST implement travel protocol.”
Already, India, the Netherlands, France, Ireland, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Austria, Bulgaria, Turkey, Switzerland and Canada have slammed travel bans on the UK.