ANKARA

Coronavirus cases in Nigeria spiked for a third straight day on Thursday, fueling fears of a second wave in the country.

A total of 212 new cases were reported in the country over the past day, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

“Till date [Thursday], 64,728 cases have been confirmed, 60,790 cases have been discharged and 1,162 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory,” read the latest update.

The figure confirmed the upward trajectory witnessed all through this week, starting from 94 infections on Monday, 152 on Tuesday, and 180 on Wednesday, local daily Premium Times reported.

The worsening trend has sparked apprehensions that Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, could soon witness a second wave of infections similar to some parts of Europe and the US, according to the report.

Around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has claimed over 1.29 million lives in 191 countries and regions.

More than 52.82 million cases have been reported worldwide, with recoveries now over 34.2 million, according to latest figures from the US’ Johns Hopkins University.