Nigeria reports 16 more coronavirus cases

Nigeria’s Centre for Disease Control has confirmed 16 more cases of coronavirus in the country, bringing the total number to 254, including six deaths. 

Ten of the 16 cases were reported in the commercial capital of Lagos - Africa’s largest city - which has been under lockdown from last week in a bid to curb the spread of the virus. 

There are concerns over how the lockdown measures will affect poor people in Lagos, which is home to over 25 million people. 

Many residents make a living selling goods on the roadside, which is no longer permissible under the anti-virus measures. 

One Lagos resident, Debby Ogunsola, told reporters “It is hunger I am worried about, not a virus. I heard it doesn’t even kill young people”. 

Many Nigerians live hand-to-mouth on less than $1 a day and so cannot stock up on food and other essentials to see out a quarantine. 

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