The 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.
The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, at the PTF press conference in Abuja, said that the 663 cases recorded on Tuesday, the highest in a single day, were disturbing.
The PTF chairman also disclosed that he would on Thursday night begin a series of video conferences with some governors appointed by the National Economic Council. He said he would also meet security agencies towards ensuring compliance with guidelines aimed at checking further spread of the disease.
Mustapha said this as the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, disclosed that 39 per cent of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country were symptomatic, while 61 per cent were asymptomatic.
Based on the minister’s disclosure, 5,410 (39 per cent) of the 13,873 recorded as of Wednesday night were symptomatic, while 8,462 (61 per cent) were asymptomatic.
Symptomatic patients show symptoms of the virus such as fever, coughing and sneezing, while those who are asymptomatic do not develop any symptoms.
As of Wednesday, Nigeria had recorded 13,873 coronavirus infections, with 382 deaths, while 4,351 patients had been treated and discharged.
Majority of Nigerians at the risk of contracting COVID-19 – FG
But at the PTF press conference, Mustapha warned that a majority of Nigerians were at the risk of contracting coronavirus.
He stated, “Nigeria witnessed a spike in number of confirmed cases when the number of recorded cases jumped to 663 on Tuesday, 9th June, 2020. This number gives us cause for concern as a task force and as a nation.
“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.”
PTF meets govs, security agencies on guidelines enforcement
Mustapha appealed to state governments to ensure compliance with the PTF protocols, which would stop the transmission of COVID-19.
He stated, “The PTF continues to monitor the level of activities and compliance with the guidelines nationwide. Consultations will continue and tonight, I will be holding another round of video conference with the team of governors appointed by the National Economic Council to interface with the PTF.
“The PTF will re-emphasize its appeal to governments at the sub-national level as well as our security agencies to enforce the guidelines and protocols firmly. The PTF would also be meeting with the heads of these agencies to further fine-tune strategies to ensure compliance.”
He disclosed that the task force would soon conclude preparations towards checking the spread of the virus in the 20 high burden local government areas in the country.
Spike in cases: We won’t reintroduce lockdown, says FG
Also, Mustapha ruled out the re-introduction of total lockdown in the country as a result of the spike in confirmed cases of COVID-19 experienced lately.
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.
He said rather than going backward, the PTF would be more concerned about ensuring compliance with the protocols that had been put in place.
He said, “To go back to a total lockdown must be taken within the contest of what we desire to achieve after a lockdown of five weeks and we have seen how much we have fared.
“So, the issue of review, we might not have that in contemplation because you can’t move forward and begin to move backwards again.
“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.”
39 per cent of COVID-19 symptomatic, 61 asymptomatic
The health minister, on his part, said globally 45 per cent of infected people might not have any symptoms.
He stated, “In Nigeria, the proportion of confirmed cases that are symptomatic compared to asymptomatic is 39 per cent and 61 per cent respectively.”
He, therefore, reiterated the PTF advice that the cheapest and easiest way to protect oneself from the virus was by wearing masks.
The minister said, “The Federal Ministry of Health constantly urges citizens to adhere strictly to wearing a mask when outside their homes and observe other non-pharmaceutical measures, especially now that confirmed COVID-19 cases in Nigeria continue to rise, which gradually raises the risk.”
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.”
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