Elijah Kolawole Oladipo
Department of Microbiology, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics and Immunology, Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria; Genomics Unit, Helix Biogen Consult, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
Olumuyiwa Elijah Ariyo
Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Unit, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
Francis Ifedayo Ibukun
Salvato Laboratory, Division of Infectious Agents and Cancer, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
Oluwadamilola Gideon Osasona
African Center of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemers University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria; Department of Biological Sciences, Redeemers University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
Ayodeji Akinwumi Akinbodewa
Department of Medicine, Kidney Care Center, University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo State, Nigeria
Chukwuyem Abejegah
Infection Control and Research Center, Community Health Department, Federal Medical Center, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria
Julius Kola Oloke
Department of Natural Science, Precious Cornerstone University, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Abstract
The pandemic of Coronavirus disease 19 is not abating since the outbreak began in December 2019. Africa is currently experiencing a surge after an initial low incidence and nosocomial infections could be contributing to this. A dominant factor responsible for this is a weak healthcare system because of many years of neglect due to abysmal budgetary allocation to the sector. The testing capacity for COVID-19 diagnosis in Africa is grossly inadequate coupled with a severe shortage of personal protective equipment and inadequate infectious diseases expert. These factors exposed the frontline health workers and patients to the hazard of nosocomial infection with the attendants´ morbidity and mortality. Deliberate efforts need to be made toward reducing nosocomial COVID-19 infection.