The Federal Government said Monday that it maintains vigilance and a high level of preparation at entry points to prevent a new outbreak of COVID-19 in the country.

The FG made this known on Monday at the ministerial press conference of the Federal Ministry of Health on COVID-19 and other developments in the health sector.

Speaking at the briefing, Health Minister Dr Osagie Ehanire said the ministry met with the World Health Organization and the Chinese Embassy to review the resurgence of COVID-19 in China.

the punch reports that there is a resurgence of COVID-19 in China following the relaxation of the country’s zero-COVID policy, as well as a significant increase in COVID-19 cases, admissions and deaths in the United Kingdom and the United States of America in the past weeks driven in part by the usual winter exacerbations of respiratory illnesses.

Ehanire said, “On the development of the resurgence of COVID-19 in the ROC, my ministry has been having talks with the World Health Organization with senior ministry officials and we have had technical sessions to review the situation. and among those we spoke to are representatives from the Chinese Embassy to give us an update on what’s going on with COVID-19.

“The observed increase in the number of cases in China, the United States and Europe is seasonal and not unexpected during the winter.

“So the recent relaxation also affects the increase in cases with the removal of travel restrictions.

“From what you know so far, it is not that there is a new variant, but there are sub-variants and they are different.

“The Ministry of Health will continue to maintain vigilance and a high level of preparedness, especially at our points of entry.

“The Ministry of Health will not hesitate to take the necessary measures.”

The Minister advised Nigerians to take necessary precautions, get vaccinated and wear face masks when necessary.

“I want to encourage citizens to take the usual precautions. We are going to advise people to wear masks in a crowded environment. If you are in an open environment, it is not necessary, but this is advice, particularly for those who have co-morbidities to make sure you wear a mask, especially when you are in an enclosed environment with a large number of people. .

“If you are in an elevator and it is full, you must wear your mask because you do not know the status of those who are there with you, if they are infected or not.

“We also urge frequent hand washing and the use of sanitizers.

“We have not had an increase in hospitalizations, but we are confident, that is why we are going to maintain vigilance to take precautionary measures.

“The most important thing of all is your vaccination. The observations so far are that those who receive the vaccine are better protected and less likely to get sick and those who have received boosters are even less likely to get sick.

“FMoH is also going to increase surveillance at points of entry,” he added.