NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT ISSUES WARNING AS DEATH TOLL NEARS 1,000

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said on Monday in Abuja at the joint national briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 that the 945 deaths recorded in COVID-19 pandemic cases is a wakeup call for citizens to take appropriate measures to avoid being infected.

According to Ehanire, as at August 10, 2020, Nigeria has recorded 46,577 cases from 317,496 samples tested so far, while 33,186 persons have been treated and discharged.

“Half of all cases in Nigeria so far are concentrated in 20 Local Government areas, which could offer the attractive option of targeted attention, to focus on case finding, isolation and treatment.

“The figures show that Nigeria is also sadly approaching the symbolic 1,000 number of fatalities, a grim reality that should be a wakeup call for us,” Ehanire said.

The minister said that many more Nigerians today personally knew a person who succumbed to COVID-19, warning that COVID-19 was still around and would be for a long time.

He said, “until there is a vaccine, the only options we have to protect ourselves, are still the non-pharmaceutical measures that are proven to be cheap and effective, such as the appropriate use of face masks, physical distancing and avoiding crowds.

”If we do not adhere, there could be regrets.

“The urgency is accentuated by the need to prepare for societal changes that will arise as the economy reopens with increased transportation, trade and human interaction, including the possible reopening of air travel.”