• Majority of Nigerians at risk of contracting coronavirus, says FGOlalekan Adetayo, Friday Olokor, Ade Adesomoju, Adelani Adepegba, Leke Baiyewu, Dayo OjerindeThe Federal Government on Thursday said
it was concerned about the spike in COVID-19 cases in the country, which increased from 4,641 on May 11 to 14,554 on Thursday night.
Based on the minister’s disclosure, 5,410 of the 13,873 recorded as of Wednesday night were symptomatic, while 8,462 were asymptomatic. “In the PTF briefing on Monday, 8th June, 2020, I emphasized that a great majority of Nigerians are still susceptible to COVID-19 and cautioned that if we allow it to transmit easily among us, it may be even more deadly. That admonition remains very valid and we still underscore vigilance and self-preservation.”Mustapha appealed to state governments to ensure compliance with the PTF protocols, which would stop the transmission of COVID-19.
He said the task force would study the situation and would be guided by data, science, experiences in other jurisdictions and by the peculiarities of the nation’s environment. “In terms of strategic implementation of our policies, we might not be looking towards that direction. We might be looking at how to strengthen what we have put in place and ensure compliance and other non-pharmaceutical interventions that we have put in place.”The health minister, on his part, said globally 45 per cent of infected people might not have any symptoms.
He said Nigeria recorded 409 new confirmed cases of COVID19 on Wedneaday. The minister said, “Although numbers are only creeping up compared to other countries and case fatality rate hovers around 3 per cent we are concerned and at high alert. We have no room for complacency or over-confidence, and need to be ready for any sudden shift in fortune.”Ehanire said the government could not rule out the possibility of a new strain of COVID-19 in the country.
Ehanire also said the research centres working on the Madgascar herb had yet to get back to him on their findings. He said, “What we said to the aviation authorities is that he would let us know from June 21 onwards, if they are ready to start opening the airspace. We didn’t say June 21, skies open. He said, “I know that 80 per cent of those that are positive in the country are currently being managed outside isolation facilities.
“In Ondo State, the Lassa fever lab is being converted right now; there is a lot of work going on. However, the collection of samples really happens in the states. Right now, our labs are working between 10 to 20 per cent of capacity; we have the capacity to test a lot more – about 10,000 samples a day and probably more if we are pushed hard.”
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