Nigeria’s total confirmed cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, hit the 8,344 mark, having recorded a total of 276 new cases within 24 hours, according figures released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control NCDC.

The 276 new cases reported on Tuesday represent an increase of 47 in one day when compared to the 229 reported the previous day, Monday.

The country also recorded one of its highest daily death figures since the beginning of the outbreak as 16 people were reported to have died from the COVID-19 on Tuesday, bringing the death figures to 249.

The NCDC in a tweet late night on Tuesday, disclosed that the new cases were reported from 15 states. These states are Lagos, Rivers, Edo, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Oyo, Kano, Delta, Ebonyi, Gombe, Ogun, Ondo, Borno, Abia and Bauchi.

Lagos state remains epicentre of COVID-19 in the country and it also reported the highest daily figure from the virus on Tuesday.

Details of the 276 new cases are reported from 15 states: Lagos – 161, Rivers – 36, Edo – 27, Kaduna – 19, Nasarawa -10, Oyo – six, Kano – four, Delta – three, Ebonyi – three, Gombe – two, Ogun – one, Ondo -one, Borno – one, Abia –one and Bauchi -one.

Further details show that Nigeria has so far, tested 46,803 samples with 8,344 confirmed cases with 5,708 active cases, of which 2, 385 infected people have recovered and discharged from the virus, with 249 deaths.

A breakdown of the 8, 344 total confirmed cases shows that Lagos State has so far reported 3, 756 cases, followed by Kano – 923, FCT – 519, Katsina – 335, Borno – 256, Jigawa – 241, Oyo – 250, Bauchi – 233, Ogun – 241, Edo – 218, Kaduna – 208, Gombe – 150, Rivers – 157, Sokoto – 116, Plateau – 95, Kwara – 79, Zamfara – 76, Yobe – 47, Nasarawa – 56, Osun – 44, Delta – 49, Ebonyi – 36, Imo – 33, Kebbi – 32, Niger – 28, Adamawa – 27, Akwa Ibom – 24, Ondo – 24, Ekiti – 20, Taraba – 18, Enugu – 18 Bayelsa – 12, Abia – 8, Anambra – 10, and Benue – five.

The agency has warned older people and those with underlying medical conditions (pre-existing illnesses) such as diabetes and cancer, to observe all the necessary precautionary measures as they are at a higher risk of complications from the virus, as cases continue to increase.

NCDC also advised Nigerians to ensure proper hand hygiene, physical distancing and wearing face mask especially around vulnerable groups.

The agency said face masks are to be used as an additional layer of physical distancing while out for essential services.

 The NCDC added: “Please remember to avoid mass gatherings including religious services, sporting events and ceremonies”.