The Federal Government on Monday described the 945 COVID-19 deaths recorded in the country as a wakeup call for citizens to take appropriate measures to avoid being infected.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, at the briefing of the PTF, warned that Nigeria was yet to reach the peak of the pandemic and that the low test or case confirmation numbers coming out daily should not be misinterpreted to mean that the nation had overcome the crisis.
He added: “The PTF is happy to note that many survivors are telling their stories and sharing them in the social media.
“The stories of those who doubted the existence of the virus and became unfortunately infected and are now expressing appreciation for timely intervention of the case management team provide compelling proof that the virus is real.”
Mustapha, said 85 local government areas in 20 states still remained with no testing done and no case reported.
“Our analysis has however shown that five states still account for 60 percent of cumulative cases; 689 out of 774 LGAs have reported cases; 85 LGAs in 20 states still remain with no testing done and no case reported and 50 percent of all cases are in 20 percent LGAs.
He said in addition to general level of compliance, the PTF would be watching the education and transportation sectors.
“Schools are gradually reopening with the commencement of preparations for critical examinations. Guidelines have already been issued by the Federal Ministry of Education to all stakeholders.
“For the transportation sector, the PTF continues to follow the developments in railway and air transportation respectively. The PTF and the Federal Ministry of Aviation are working rapidly towards reopening of the international flights.”
The SGF said the PTF would also be looking closely at the issue of risk communication and community engagement.
The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, said as of August 10, Nigeria had recorded 46,577 cases from 317,496 samples tested so far; while 33,186 persons had been treated and discharged.
He said the 945 persons lost to the COVID-19 infection were identified in 549 of the 774 local government areas.
“Half of all cases in Nigeria so far are concentrated in 20 local government areas, which could offer the attractive option of targeted attentio, to focus on case finding, isolation and treatment.
“The figures show that Nigeria is also sadly approaching the symbolic 1,000 number of fatalities; a grim reality that should be a wakeup call for us,” Ehanire said.
The minister said that many more Nigerians today personally knew a person who succumbed to COVID-19, warning that COVID-19 is still around and will be for a long time.
He said, “Until there is vaccine, the only options we have to protect ourselves, are still the non-pharmaceutical measures that are proven to be cheap and effective, such as the appropriate use of face masks, physical distancing and avoiding crowds. If we do not adhere, there could be regrets.
“The urgency is accentuated by the need to prepare for societal changes that will arise as the economy reopens with increased transportation, trade and human interaction, including possible reopening of air travel.”
Ehanire said there must be effort to balance the benefits of a reactivated economy with the need to keep citizens safe, with no loss in gains so far made.
“Our focus is still to reduce fatality to less than one percent, not only with preventive measures, but also with a strategy that encourages citizens to report early for treatment and for hospitals to attend to all patients in distress; most importantly to be able to provide oxygen treatment.”
Noting that the main COVID-19 symptoms include breathlessness which responds well to oxygen supplementation as first measure, Ehanire said the government is turning its preferences to gadgets that provide oxygen, like oxygen generators, to be in many facilities, including general hospitals and larger primary health centres.
He said solar powered gadgets, where available, would be prioritized.
He said federal health institutions with oxygen plants should activate them as a matter of priority and ensure they could deliver to their Accident and Emergency Department.
He added: “The other measure is the activation of ambulance service to move patients to treatment centers. This strategy worked well in Kano and all States should prepare to set up the system.”
