National Youth Service Corps depart an Orientation Camp. Photo:
Sodiq Adelakun / Channels TV
Seven hundred and thirty-seven corps members from the
Batch B have tested positive for COVID-19.
The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force On COVID-19, Boss
Mustapha disclosed this on Tuesday.
According to him, the cases were recorded from all states across
the country.
“In continuation of the NYSC engagement, the PTF has conducted
the testing of Batch B Corpers using RDTs,” he said.
“Out of the 35,419 in the Batch B, 731 tested positive compared
to 108 recorded during the Batch A.
“It is on record that cases were recorded from Corps Members
from every State of the Federation”.
See the full speech of the PTF Chairman
below.
REMARKS BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE ON
COVID-19 FOR TUESDAY, 5th JANUARY, 2021
I welcome you all to the National Briefing by the Presidential
Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 for today, Tuesday, 5th January,
2021.
2.Let me on behalf of the PTF welcome all Nigerians to the year
2021. The PTF wishes everyone a happy, prosperous and healthy New
Year.
3.At the last briefing to close 2020, we appealed to all
Nigerians to stay safe and act in most defensive and protective
ways by complying with the NPIs already prescribed. We do hope that
at individual levels you took the expected responsibility.
4. Closely associated with that is the increasing daily numbers
that we are recording. Yesterday 4th January, 2021, we recorded
1,204 infections. This was the highest daily number ever recorded
since we commenced the national response. From our analysis, we are
beginning to see the effect of activities carried out during the
Christmas festivities. We can only hope that numbers will not
escalate beyond control. We however, still appeal to all citizens
to take full responsibility through compliance and vigilance.
5.As at date, the statistics for Nigeria shows the
following:
✓ Cumulative cases: 91,351
✓ Cumulative Tests: 958,911
✓ Deaths: 1,318
✓ Week 53 recorded 57 deaths which is the highest for any single
week since we started.
✓ There is also a rising rate of infections among health care
workers and this calls for the escalation of surveillance.
✓ In Africa, Nigeria has joined South Africa in reporting the
highest daily infection cases.
6.As we have always maintained, testing is a key strategy under
the national response. To this end we can report that there are
about 100 laboratories across the country. These are 71 public
labs; 22 private labs and 7 corporate labs. Collectively, they are
to help improve testing in the country.
7.Regrettably, however, there is still very low testing in a
number of states. For clarity, the DG NCDC will elaborate on the
spheres of responsibility in testing and the Federal Government has
sufficiently supported the States to enable them support
surveillance and IPC.
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8.To overcome some of these challenges, the PTF will intensify
the risk communication and community engagement to create
awareness. The share level of doubts about the virus is alarming
and I call on everyone to become advocates in support of the
National Response.
9.In continuation of the NYSC engagement, the PTF has conducted
the testing of batch B Corpers using RDTs. Out of the 35,419 in the
Batch B, 731 tested positive compared to 108 recorded during the
Batch A. It is on record that cases were recorded from Corps
Members from every State of the Federation.
10. In the last two weeks, a lot has been discussed on case
management and in particular, the availability of oxygen to save
lives. We are pleased to inform you that the private sector –
CACOVID has commenced supporting our response with 100 oxygen
cylinders per day till the end of March, 2021, for distribution to
critical care centres in Abuja.
11. Furthermore, approval has been given to rehabilitate five
oxygen plants across various tertiary health institutions in Abuja.
The President has also approved that at least one oxygen plant
should be established in each state of the federation immediately.
The National Coordinator will elaborate on this during this
briefing.
12. The PTF is progressing on the issue of accessing vaccines
for Nigerians. Additional information will be provided to Nigerians
on accelerated vaccines introduction and deployment plan.
13.What is currently confronting us is a critical phase of
infections globally. We are constantly reviewing our strategy to
emerging situations especially in risk communication, vaccine
hesitancy, fake news/disinformation.
14.Finally, I wish to confirm that the PTF has commenced the
sanctions on passengers who defaulted on day-7 post-arrival tests.
Their passport numbers have been published and travel restriction
imposed for a period of six months effective 1st January, 2021.
15.Let me categorically state that the PTF has generated over
20,000 inbound passengers that have also defaulted. The publication
will continue weekly till it is exhausted.
16.Nigerians should be aware that every defaulter is a threat to
public health which is unacceptable to us and represent a drawback
to the National Response. We have a duty to advise our relations,
friends, associates to comply with laid down rules. The DG (NCDC)
and the National Coordinator will update you on this.
17. I now invite the Hon. Minister of State for Health, the DG
(NCDC) and the National Coordinator to brief you from the technical
perspectives.
18.I thank you all for listening.
Read more https://swordpress.com.ng/2021/01/06/731-corps-members-test-positive-for-covid-19-ptf/