Omicron now dominant COVID-19 variant in Nigeria" – WHO
World Health Organization says Omicron is currently the dominant COVID-19 variant in Nigeria.
Joy Kalu 
The World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that Omicron is presently the dominant COVID-19 variant in Nigeria.
As of December 20, Nigeria had recorded 45 cases of the variant, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
According to the agency, as of January 11, there have been 10.2 million COVID cases in Africa, with Southern, East, and Central Africa experiencing a drop in weekly infections.
On Thursday, January 13, 2022, the body said 30 African countries, and at least 142 worldwide, had detected the strain.
The Delta variant has been reported in 42 African nations, according to the United Nations (UN) health agency.
“Omicron sequences in Cabo Verde, Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal are growing. Omicron is currently the dominant variant in both Cabo Verde and Nigeria”, it noted.
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti said early indications suggest the continent’s fourth wave had been steep, brief, but no less destabilizing.
North and West Africa are seeing a rise in infections; North Africa reported a 121 percent increase in the last seven days.
Moeti stressed that the crucial pandemic countermeasure badly needed in Africa still stands.
“That is rapidly and significantly increasing COVID-19 vaccinations. The next wave may not be so forgiving”, the official warned.
