… as Nigeria record 681 new infections, total cases reach 14,554
Federal Government says it is concerned about the rise in COVID-19 cases in the country.
Rate of infection of the virus in Nigeria increased from 4,641 on May 11 to 14,554 on Thursday night.
Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, said at the PTF press conference in Abuja that the 663 cases recorded on Tuesday, which had been the highest in a single day, were disturbing.
Mustapha 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.
Mustapha also warned at the PTF press conference that a majority of Nigerians were at the risk of contracting coronavirus.
According to him, “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.”
He appealed to state governments to ensure compliance with the PTF protocols, which would stop the transmission of COVID-19.
The PTF chairman said, “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.
Mustapha, however, ruled out the re-introduction of total lockdown in the country due to 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.