…as FG gets set to import vaccines
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
As Nigeria attains another high number of daily infections of 1,664 cases, the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force, PTF, Boss Mustapha has that presently Nigeria had hit the one million mark of testing across the country.
Mustapha made this known today at the National PTF press briefing on COVID-19 today in Abuja.
He said, “Nigeria just crossed the one million mark of testing across the federation.”
Testing according to him remains a key strategy to the nation’s national response towards curbing spread of the infectious virus.
“Our records show that our test per million (TPM) is at 4,695 while our test positivity rate (TPR) is at 9.6% and our Case Fatality Rate has increased to 3% haven recorded 1,324 deaths, these data are not encouraging. “
The PTF further urged all Sub-Nationals to revamp testing and contact tracing in the bid to curb the menace of the dreaded virus, adding that it is only through testing that individuals status can be known and treat early if infected. This will provide among other things, evidence for effective feedback, course correction, experience learning and sharing, as well as optimize documentation systems for future reference.
Meanwhile, the PTF Chairman has disclosed the Government is working round the clock to secure a safe and right vaccines ( COVAX Vaccine) for the Country.
He said that efforts are to intensify efforts at community advocacy to create awareness.
Director Hospital Services of the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Adebimpe Adebiyi who represented the Ministers of Health, the DG (NCDC) and the National Coordinator disclosed that already 92, 705 cases of COVID-19 infection have been confirmed in Nigeria with 76396 cases successfully treated and discharged.
“1319 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
We have now crossed the one million mark for testing. As at today, we have tested 1,004,915 samples.”
Adebiyi said that all laboratories in the country are functioning with enough testing kits to meet up the target of two million persons.
She therefore urged persons experiencing symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, cough, sudden loss of taste and smell or fever, to please visit a sample collection site nearest to you and get tested.
She also emphasized that until the vaccines are available for everyone, the best option to beat this disease is to observe non- pharmaceutical measures. Wear your face masks to cover your mouth and nose, observe respiratory hygiene, avoid crowded places and maintain physical distancing.
