Boss Mustapha, Secretary to Government of the Federation and Chairman, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has lamented the high rate of COVID-19 infections among Nigeria’s ruling class.
Speaking on Monday during the PTF briefing in Abuja, the PTF chairman said, “Of recent, we have witnessed a high rate of positive cases, especially among people in authority. This has a direct impact on governance and security of our nation.
“We urge that vigilance and care should be exhibited by all Nigerians, irrespective of status. This virus does not discriminate and the PTF shall keep sustaining its sensitization messaging.”
The SGF added that the PTF will be reviewing the country’s response to the pandemic on Thursday, while also assuring that Nigerians could avoid contracting the virus by complying with the stipulated safety guidelines.
The SGF stated, “Later this week, on Thursday and Friday, the PTF will be carrying out its mid-term review, having crossed the three months/half time threshold of its life-span.
“This will involve a comprehensive examination of the steps taken, the challenges and charting the way forward.
“We have done it before and we shall do it again. The handling of the Ebola virus, Lassa Fever, our becoming a polio-free country and successful exit from other communicable diseases over the years should give us comfort that COVID-19 would also be put behind us.”
Mustapha said capacity and opportunities for testing had been expanded, with the opening of 40 laboratories and creation of more testing centres including some certified private sector medical facilities.
“I, therefore encourage all Nigerians to get tested to enable us fight this pandemic.
“I wish to re-emphasise that COVID-19 is not a death sentence, but it becomes dangerous when we fail to detect, test, isolate and treat.
“We can avoid contracting it by complying with non-pharmaceutical interventions of wearing a face mask, maintaining social distancing, hand-washing, staying and working from home if practicable.
“Similarly, we can achieve more if we stop stigmatization”, the SGF said.
Meanwhile, HSENations reports that Nigeria’s total confirmed cases of coronavirus have risen to twenty-nine thousand, two hundred and eighty-six (29,286) with eleven thousand, eight hundred and twenty-eight (11,828) people discharged and six hundred and fifty-four (654) deaths recorded so far.
