addressing reporters at a briefing in Abuja on August 24,
2020.
The Nigerian Government has called on authorities in
various states to appropriately declare the results of coronavirus
(COVID-19) tests conducted as quickly as possible.
Mr Boss Mustapha made the call on Monday at the briefing of the
Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 in Abuja, the nation’s
capital.
The PTF Chairman explained that the call was necessary to ensure
early detection which he said would ultimately translate to
treatment and levelling of the curve of the virus in the
country.
He acknowledged that the nation’s sample collection was low and
advised authorities in the states to ramp up their testing.
Mustapha, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the
Federation, noted that Nigeria now has 52,227 confirmed cases, with
1,002 deaths and 38,945 recoveries.
He added that the country has remained the fourth nation with
highest cumulative cases in Africa, while the global cases have
increased from 22.5 million to 23.5 million in about four days.
Despite crossing the 1,000 mark on Sunday, the PTF chairman
insisted that the country has continued to record a steady decline
in its Case Fatality Rate (CFR) over the last few months.
He stated that the death toll was 3 per cent on April 30, 2.8
per cent on May 31, 2.3 per cent June 30, 2 per cent on July 31,
and 1.92 per cent as of August 22.
The SGF noted that the Commissioner for Health in Lagos State,
Prof. Akin Abayomi, who he said has been foremost in the fight
against COVID-19, had tested positive for the disease.
He wished the commissioner and all other frontline workers that
have risked their lives but contracted the virus in the process,
safe and speedy recovery.
According to Mustapha, this is a grim reminder that COVID-19 is
no respecter of persons or the positions they hold and everyone is
at risk and must take responsibility.
Read the full remarks by the PTF chairman at the briefing
below:
REMARKS BY THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE
FEDERATION/CHAIRMAN OF THE PTF-COVID-19 AT THE NATIONAL PRESS
BRIEFING OF MONDAY 24th AUGUST, 2020I welcome you all to the National Briefing by the Presidential
Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 for Monday, 24th August 2020.2. Last week Thursday, we informed you that Nigeria had crossed
the 50,000 mark of confirmed cases. Yesterday Sunday, 23rd August,
we reached the unenviable record of 1,000 fatalities.We wish to restate that these records are not just numbers as
they vividly remind us of the dangers that we still face. May the
souls of all those that have lost the battle against COVID-19 rest
in peace.3. The PTF has however continued to study the Case Fatality
Rate (CFR) and we note that it has been on a steady decline over
the last few months.April 30: 3%
May 31: 2.8%
June 30: 2.3%
July 31: 2.0%
Aug 22: 1.92%
We are, however, convinced that our sample collection is still
low. We, therefore, encourage states to ramp up their testing and
to declare correct results because early detection will ultimately
translate to treatment and ultimately levelling of the curve.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});4. With our statistics standing at CASES: 52,227, FATALITIES:
1,002, and RECOVERIES: 38,945, however, Nigeria maintains the 4th
highest cumulative cases in the continent. Sadly, the global cases
have increased by another one million from 22.5 million on 19th to
the current 23.5 million in about 4 days.
- The PTF has already informed you about the plans to reopen the
international airspace for flights in a manner that will promote
safety, security and economic recovery. The National Coordinator
will be updating you on the protocols during this briefing. We have
been working with other sectors to develop appropriate
protocols.6. Prior to the reopening of the airspace, the PTF had put in
place Point of Entry Protocols to minimise importation.
Unfortunately, the validation process for the pre-boarding PCR test
has shown that 64% of the recent spike in the number of confirmed
cases in Lagos (404) on Saturday 22nd August came from the
evacuees.7. Over the weekend, 252 additional Nigerians were evacuated
from the United Arab Emirates which has brought the total number of
Nigerians that have returned home to 4,984. We shall intensify the
validation process for the PCR tests to minimise risks.
- The WHO has provided guidance on the use of masks for children
11 years and above in the context of COVID-19 as it relates to the
community. However, Children with immune-compromised conditions are
advised to wear mask irrespective of age.This guidance is strongly recommended for observance and the PTF
shall update you as soon as it is revised by the WHO.
- This morning we received the unfortunate news of the positive
status of Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Lagos State Commissioner for
Health. This has saddened the PTF as the Commissioner has been
foremost in the fight against COVID-19.We wish him and all other frontline workers that have risked
their lives but contracted the virus in the process, safe and
speedy recovery.
- This unexpected news is a grim reminder that the virus is no
respecter of persons or the positions they hold. Everyone is at
risk and we must take responsibility.What the announcement of Prof. Abayomi has shown is that
stigmatisation has no place in our national response and that
COVID-19 is not a death sentence. We, therefore, thank all those
that have come out to announce their status and/or tell their
stories and we urge Nigerians to take a queue to eliminate
disbelief and scepticism.
- Let’s keep arming the unbreakable Nigerian spirit to win this
war and drive the virus out of our land. Join the hashtag
#MaskOnNaija National awareness campaign.- I now call on the Honourable Minister of Health, DG, NCDC, and
the National Coordinator to provide us with necessary updates.13.I thank you so much for your attention and have a good
evening.