With more testing centres, we will have a better and clearer picture of the spread of Covid-19 and other agents in Nigeria. What we have today is a data that is bias and misleading

We seem to have more reported and confirmed cases in areas that are in close proximity with testing centres.

So far, most positive cases of the covid-19 in Nigeria have been detected in Lagos. I don’t want to believe that there more infected cases in the state compared to others. I only believe that it is so because they have a robust diagnostic facility/ capability.

In the core north where diagnostic facilities/capabilities for the virus are absent, people are likely working around with the virus, sneezing and selling aya, sugar cane and groundnut

Have you wondered why Edo state has more reported and laboratory confirmed cases of Lassa year in, year out? They have a good reference lab for Lassa diagnosis. If states like Benue and Plateau were to have the facility Edo state has, they may compete with them in terms of prevalence of the disease

Presence of diagnostic facility, proximity and a working health system will sure provide us an objective picture of the spread of the virus in Nigeria, else we live in costly deception

The place of the medical laboratory and the critical input of the medical laboratory scientist in outbreak investigation and management has never been brought to fore as it is today. Government and policy makers must understand this and rise to strengthen medical laboratories in Nigeria forthwith

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Covid-19: Data of Confirmed Cases Skewed to Areas with Diagnostic Capabilities – Dr. Solomon Chollom