People with health challenges such as hypertension, diabetes,
kidney disease, HIV, cancer and tuberculosis accounted for 70 per
cent of COVID -19 deaths in Nigeria.
About 70 per cent of the fatalities were persons of 60 years old
and above.
50 per cent of them died using home treatment without showing
any symptom of the virus.
Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire stated these during the
briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID -19 on
Thursday.
As of the time of this report, Nigeria has recorded 200 deaths
in 25 states and the federal capital territory (FCT) from the
deadly virus.
The Minister said analysis of the number of deaths so far
recorded as a result of the virus showed that 70 per cent were
males while the remaining 30 per cent are females.
Ehanire also said that majority of positive cases recorded so
far were between the ages of 29 and 49; those are the most active
ages in life.
He said: “The core morbidity of the fatalities we have had to
Covid -19, 70% of them have hypertension, or diabetes, and the rest
were kidney disease, HIV, cancer, tuberculosis and other sundry
challenge.
“A finding from the analysis of the death patterns shows 70% to
30% for male and female around that ratio and about 70% fatalities
were persons who are 60 years old while majority of positives were
between the ages of 29 and 49; those are the most active ages in
life.
“A curious finding from the analysis of the deaths shows that
nearly half of them died at home. Of those who died at home, about
50% did not show any symptom. This underscores my earlier emphasis
on the need for those who test positive to report for
treatment.
“I would also advice those who have taken the test and are
awaiting result to heed the advisory to self-isolate from friends,
wear face masks and observe hand and respiratory hygiene until your
result is out so that your community and those around you will not
necessarily be exposed.”
The Minister cautioned against lowering guard as the people
observe the coming holiday.
According to him, Nigerians must continue to be as vigilant as
possible as the deadly virus was not on holiday.
He said: “As we mark these holy days coming and prepare for the
holiday coming, we must not forget that we are in the middle of a
massive global pandemic which has taken many lives and where the
virus will not be taking a holiday.
“We must therefore not let down our guard. We must continue to
be as vigilant as possible. If you look at the figures of other
countries, we shudder and shake.
“We have been lucky to have been spared such bad figures so far
but most not take anything for granted.
“As far as our country is concerned, our surveillance and
contact tracing and testing capacity is increasing gradually in all
states as more laboratories come aboard.
‘’I will like to use the opportunity here to call on all our
state governors, leaders and the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT)
to increase the number of surveillance teams and isolation and
treatment capacity to keep pace.”
He said the government has scaled up training and retraining of
health workers on infection prevention and control.
According to him, this has reduced the rate of infection among
health workers who are in the front line fighting the pandemic.
People with health challenges such as hypertension, diabetes,
kidney disease, HIV, cancer and tuberculosis accounted for 70 per
cent of COVID -19 deaths in Nigeria.
About 70 per cent of the fatalities were persons of 60 years old
and above.
50 per cent of them died using home treatment without showing
any symptom of the virus.
Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire stated these during the
briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID -19 on
Thursday.
As of the time of this report, Nigeria has recorded 200 deaths
in 25 states and the federal capital territory (FCT) from the
deadly virus.
The Minister said analysis of the number of deaths so far
recorded as a result of the virus showed that 70 per cent were
males while the remaining 30 per cent are females.
Ehanire also said that majority of positive cases recorded so
far were between the ages of 29 and 49; those are the most active
ages in life.
He said: “The core morbidity of the fatalities we have had to
Covid -19, 70% of them have hypertension, or diabetes, and the rest
were kidney disease, HIV, cancer, tuberculosis and other sundry
challenge.
“A finding from the analysis of the death patterns shows 70% to
30% for male and female around that ratio and about 70% fatalities
were persons who are 60 years old while majority of positives were
between the ages of 29 and 49; those are the most active ages in
life.
“A curious finding from the analysis of the deaths shows that
nearly half of them died at home. Of those who died at home, about
50% did not show any symptom. This underscores my earlier emphasis
on the need for those who test positive to report for
treatment.
“I would also advice those who have taken the test and are
awaiting result to heed the advisory to self-isolate from friends,
wear face masks and observe hand and respiratory hygiene until your
result is out so that your community and those around you will not
necessarily be exposed.”
The Minister cautioned against lowering guard as the people
observe the coming holiday.
According to him, Nigerians must continue to be as vigilant as
possible as the deadly virus was not on holiday.
He said: “As we mark these holy days coming and prepare for the
holiday coming, we must not forget that we are in the middle of a
massive global pandemic which has taken many lives and where the
virus will not be taking a holiday.
“We must therefore not let down our guard. We must continue to
be as vigilant as possible. If you look at the figures of other
countries, we shudder and shake.
“We have been lucky to have been spared such bad figures so far
but most not take anything for granted.
“As far as our country is concerned, our surveillance and
contact tracing and testing capacity is increasing gradually in all
states as more laboratories come aboard.
‘’I will like to use the opportunity here to call on all our
state governors, leaders and the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT)
to increase the number of surveillance teams and isolation and
treatment capacity to keep pace.”
He said the government has scaled up training and retraining of
health workers on infection prevention and control.
According to him, this has reduced the rate of infection among
health workers who are in the front line fighting the pandemic.