COVID-19: Nigeria registers 1 more death, 214 cases

ANKARA (AA) - At least one more person has died in Nigeria after contracting the novel coronavirus, while 214 tested positive for the disease, according to health authorities in the West African country.

Total fatalities related to the virus rose to 2,031 as of Tuesday, with confirmed infections at 162,076 after over 1.7 million tests were conducted in the country of over 211 million people since March of last year, figures released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) showed.

This came amid an ongoing vaccination campaign launched on March 5 that has so far seen 215,277 people receiving a jab against the virus, according to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency. The current phase covers health professionals and other frontline workers.

Even as officials continue to encourage people to get vaccinated, the chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 announced on Tuesday that Nigerian scientists had developed two vaccines against COVID-19.

"The vaccines will be used after completing clinical trials and obtaining certification," said Boss Mustapha.

"This is a welcome development that will open a new vista in scientific breakthrough and will boost the morale and image of the medical industry in the country," he added.

Mustafa called on all relevant agencies to provide the required support and enabling environment for the smooth conduct of the remaining protocols for the vaccines' certification.