The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, Mr Boss Mustapha says door-to-door testing has commenced in some communities in Lagos and Abuja to check the spread of Coronavirus.
Mr Mustapha made this known on Wednesday at the on-going National briefing on COVID-19 in Abuja.
Chairman of Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 said that strategy for testing has been modified while detection, isolation, care and case management remain central to the success of this fight against the Virus.
Mr Mustapha explained that the number of cases of coronavirus has risen, hence the need to expand testing capacity.
”As we are gradually moving towards the end of week four of the lockdown for the Lagos, Ogun as well as FCT, the PTF has intensified it’s all round assessment of the impact on the stated objectives, the state of readiness and next steps to take”. Mr Mustapha said.
He said the PTF is working in close contact with the Kano State Government to arrest the situation in the state.
Mr Mustapha urged Nigerians to observe personal hygiene, social distancing, wear of masks in public places, obeying the stay-at-home order and reporting unusual illness to the authorities for investigation.
In anticipation of the Ramadan that would commence Friday 24th, Mr Boss Mustapha thanked His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs for endorsing the recommendations of the Emergency Fatwah Committee by issuing a statement guiding the conduct of the Ummah during the Ramadan.
“The statement has directed the Ummah on the suspension of obligatory religious activities such as Jumaat, congregational and other sessions during the month of Ramadan to prevent the spread of COVID 19”. Mr Mustapha stated.
PTF commended the application of directives in the states and implore all state governors to consider these directive before taking further decisions.
Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire said as of today, 22nd April, 2020, 782 people in 24 states and the FCT have been confirmed to have COVID-19.
Dr Ehanire explained that the 117 new cases represent the highest daily increase in new cases so far and an indication of more efficient testing and increasing community transmission.
According to the Minister, the most affected States are Lagos 59, FCT 29, Kano 14, Borno 6, Ogun 3, Katsina 4, and 1 each in Bauchi and Rivers.
The Minister of Health noted that 25 deaths have sadly been recorded in total, and 197 people have been successfully treated for covid-19 and discharged.
Dr Ehanire said all persons diagnosed with COVID-19 would henceforth be treated in the state where the diagnosis was made, rather than be referred to their States of origin except there is a medical indication to the contrary. This is to avoid the high risk of exposure of other persons in the course of transfer.
The Minister said active case finding was ongoing in communities with evidence of person-to-person transmission.
He noted that the strategy required more testing and diagnostics, and activating additional laboratories, both public and private for COVID-19 testing, with the final purpose of having one or more public health laboratory with PCR capability in every state.
Dr Ehanire explained that citizens have a cure rate of over 90%, if those with the typical symptoms report early for testing and treatment or quarantine.
The Minister advised Nigerians to call the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC toll-free number or their state emergency number, if they suspect anyone around them who may have symptoms of COVID-19.
Dr Ehanire advised people with existing medical conditions like diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, TB, HIV, cancer should take special care, to obey the injunctions for preventing infection.
The Minister applauded health workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic and urged them to take all necessary precautions for their own safety.
Dr Ehanire urged all Nigerians to avoid mass gathering, practice hand and respiratory hygiene and physical distancing and to cancel all non-essential travel.