SGF
SGF
COVID-19 on Sallah Period: PTF Extends Lockdown by One
Week
REMARKS BY THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE
FEDERATION/CHAIRMAN OF THE PTF-COVID-19 AT THE NATIONAL PRESS
BRIEFING OF MONDAY, 27TH JULY, 2020
I welcome you all to the National Briefing by the Presidential Task
Force (PTF) on COVID-19 for Monday, 27th July, 2020.
2.You will recall that we briefed the nation on the 29th of
June, 2020 sequel to the approval of Mr. President for the
extension of phase two of the eased lockdown by another four weeks.
That extension is due to expire on Wednesday 29th July, 2020 having
commenced on June 30th 2020.
3.The PTF has continued to evaluate the developments as well as
the level of compliance nationwide and has regrettably come to the
inevitable conclusion that majority of Nigerians irrespective of
status, creed and level of education continue to live in denial on
the virulent nature of the virus and consistently breach the
guidelines and non-pharmaceutical measures put in place.
4.We informed you two weeks ago that the process of submitting
the 6th Interim Report and recommendations for next steps had
commenced. The PTF has reached advanced stages of the process. It
has also considered that due to the upcoming Sallah (Eid El-Kabir)
festivities which coincides with the expiration of the current
phase, it would be prudent to extend by one week, from 29th July,
2020 till Thursday 6th August, 2020. It has accordingly secured
permission to retain the existing guidelines till that date.
5.Considering the importance of international air travel to the
economy, the PTF and the Aviation Sector are working hard to fast
track reopening of the international airspace. Most importantly,
the arrival protocols for passengers on in-bound flights are being
firmed up for seamless testing and detection. Relevant MDAs will be
holding further consultations.
6.The COVID-19 remains very virulent and very dangerous.
Current statistics show the following:
(i) Global Cases Recorded:16,380,397 cases from 215 countries,
Global Deaths: 651,198
Global Recoveries: 10,093,403
(ii) Africa:
-Cases: 848,771
-Deaths 17,791
-Recoveries:495,660
(iii) Nigeria:
-Cases:40,532
-Deaths:858
-Recoveries:17,374
WHO statistics show that on 24th July, 2020 the world recorded
284,000 confirmed cases and 9,750 deaths. Both were records in
terms of the spike in daily numbers and they represent a red flag
to all nations.
7.Our analysis has shown that people over 50 years of age
especially those with underlying factors remain most at risk. This
position is backed by the fact that 65% of fatalities recorded in
Nigeria are in this category. That brings me to the need to appeal
to Nigerians on the need for a change of behavior and compliance
with guidelines and measures put in place. If you do not need to go
outside your home, please stay indoors. Avoid large gatherings and
observe all the measures.
8.In recent times, our risk communication teams have developed
messages aimed at resonating very well with different demographic
groups. The common string is the message for compliance and the
proper wearing of face masks and coverings in public spaces. The
National Coordinator will be elaborating further on this.
9.As we prepare for the Eid El Kabir celebration, we also want
to urge all our Muslim Brothers and Sisters and indeed all
Nigerians to continue to observe all measures. We note with
delight, the increasing number of States that have shelved
activities during the Eid-el-kabir and we still urge others yet to
do so, to follow suit. WHO has also issued Safe Eid practices in
the context of COVID-19 and I urge us all to access and
disseminate. The National coordinator will also elaborate on
this.
10.Similarly, the PTF appreciates the Nigeria Supreme Council
of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), who has always been a great champion in
the fight against the pandemic for advising Muslims to avoid
massive gatherings at Eid grounds and pray at Area Mosques under
prescribed protocols.
11.Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to inform you that the PTF
is making steady progress in bringing more states within the
national network and reporting system. This will greatly enhance
the outcome of the COVID-19 national response and will be more
beneficial to the citizens of those States and the country in
general.
12.I now invite the Honorable Minister of Health, the DG NCDC
and the NC to present their updates.
Boss Mustapha
Secretary to the Federal Government
………………………………
PRESS BRIEFING BY HON. MINISTER OF HEALTH, DR. OSAGIE EHANIRE AT
THE PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE ON COVID-19 PRESS BRIEFING ON MONDAY
27th JULY, 2020
PROTOCOL
The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Nigeria crossed
the 40,000 mark to 40,534 over the weekend, with 555 new cases
recorded in the past 24 hours, of which 17,374 have been
successfully treated and discharged. We have regrettably lost 858
persons, most of them with co-morbidities. With 262,579 persons
tested, we have crossed the quarter million mark. When the epidemic
curve will begin to flatten is still a matter of conjecture, given
the relatively small fraction of our population that has been
tested so far.
2.60 PCR Public Health laboratories are now active in Nigeria,
which together should be in a position to address testing capacity
challenges and ramp up utilization if only the logistics could be
improved. This would, along with sheer community spread, be
responsible for the rising trajectory of the epidemic curve in the
population tested so far.
3. The 70 to 30 male to female gender ratio and the case
fatality rate of 2.1% have not changed significantly. Two thirds of
all fatalities remain in the over 50 year age group, while
comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension, asthma, etc, are common
among all fatalities. They underscore the need to protect senior
citizens and the vulnerable from infection, by giving special
attention to risk communication and priority for admission for
observation and treatment. Of utmost concern are still the
asymptomatic cases, with the potential to spread the disease, of
whom the young and able bodied can be difficult to manage.
4. We continue to strive to improve the quality of services in
our hospitals as more persons are admitted to treatment, not only
for covid-19 infection, but also for routine and essential care. It
is also our desire to reduce the fatality rates, and expand our
treatment capacity such that our Health System is not overwhelmed.
In this regard, the FMoH expects to take delivery of the newly
completed Isolation Center at UATH Gwagwalada, as other centers are
under construction nationwide.
5. The UN System in Nigeria informed us of the arrival of
another consignment of essential COVID-19 related commodities
yesterday, to be officially handed over to us. We remain
appreciative of the UN System for this gesture and their consistent
support, which greatly increases our reserves and recognizes our
needs, especially of oxygen concentrators and PPEs, but also
reassures our frontline healthworkers that we are well stocked and
can ensure availability of essential items and consumables at point
of use. I use this opportunity to formally introduce the Country
Representative of the World Health Organization Dr. Walter Kazadi
Mulombo, who assumed duty here with us in Abuja some days ago, and
wish him successful tenure, despite the challenging times.
6. I also use the opportunity to salute our frontline health
workers, whose service helps reduce fatality. I urge them to
continue their work in line with global best practices in case
management and to keep themselves safe and take no risks.
Coronavirus does not respect doctors or nurses.
7.As Sallah approaches, I again wish all our Muslim brethren a
happy celebration and enjoin all persons not to forget prescribed
precautions and to reduce risk of transmission even as we
celebrate. Wear your face mask at all times, especially when out of
your homes; wash hands regularly; use sanitizers, practice
distancing, I again remind everyone that controlling the spread of
covid19 is not the responsibility of government alone, but of us
all, individually and collectively.
Dr. Osagie Ehanire