Five new cases of the COVID-19 have been confirmed in Nigeria, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 51.

According to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), two of the cases are in the FCT; two are in Lagos, while one is in Rivers State.

The NCDC further explained that three of the infected persons are returning travellers into Nigeria while the other two are close contacts of a previously confirmed case.

This comes as states across the country are scaling up efforts to combat the spread of the virus.

Residents have been asked to stay at home, stricter restrictions have been placed on public gatherings and people including governors and top officials are being forced to self-isolate.