The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 (PSC), on Monday, alerted that with Nigeria recording about 500 cases of infection per day, the country’s test positivity ratio has increased by about six per cent.
Chairman of the Committee and Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, stated this while giving updates on the virus at a briefing of the committee in Abuja.
While affirming that the Delta variant is present in the country particularly in Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Oyo, Rivers, Kano, Plateau states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), he said the situation called for concern.
The SGF said that the Delta variant accounts for the rising cases of COVID19 in these states and across the nation with Lagos alone accounting for over 50 per cent of the number of cases.
Mustapha stated the situation is worrisome and shows that the country is not out of the woods yet.
He added: “The world has added about 4 million cases and under 100,000 deaths in the last one week. All countries in the West African region are beginning to see the 3rd Wave while Nigeria is recording about 500 cases daily in the last seven days.
“Our Test Positivity Ratio has increased to about 6 per cent. This is worrisome and shows that we are not out of the woods yet.
“It is no more news that the Delta variant has made its way into Nigeria. The PSC is particularly concerned about the situation in Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Oyo, Rivers, Ekiti and Kwara States as this variant has made way into these states and accounts for the rising cases in these states and across the nation. Lagos alone accounts for over 50% of the number of cases. The DG NCDC will elaborate on this development.
“This development calls for great caution because the virus is very virulent and raging in so many other countries. We must therefore keep observing the NPIs and also ensure that we get vaccinated. Vaccination prevents severe cases and reduces hospitalization and deaths but does not eliminate contacting it, hence the need to religiously observe the NPIs.
“We need to test more and detect early enough so that people who have contracted this virus can be treated early.”
The SGF informed that the country currently has 143 molecular laboratories (54 private and 89 public) for testing, urging Nigerians to make themselves available for regular testing.
He also said the PSC is ready to publish over 500 travellers who violated the travel protocol and those who evaded quarantine this week. Similarly, Mustpha said those who had their passports barred for six months will be lifted in the coming days.
He added: “The CG Immigration will be directed to lift the suspension and to also activate the new sanctions. Travellers who did not go for their Day-7 test will have restrictions placed on their international passports for six months while those who evaded quarantine will similarly have restrictions on their international passports for one year.”
The PSC boss also announced that the National International Travel Portal is being reviewed to better enhance a hitch free experience for travellers.
According to him, this review will be completed in the next two weeks.
He said that the PSC has also reviewed the travel protocols for diplomatic travellers.
Mustapha said the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu is ready for reopening saying, “A date will be announced in due course after few logistics issues are cleared.”
Mustapha thanked the government of the United States of America for donating over 4 million doses of Moderna Vaccines, saying the vaccines will go along way in vaccinating more Nigerians as only two percent of the nation’s population have been vaccinated.
“We thank the Government and people of the USA for this gift and we promise that it will be utilized judiciously. Also, important to note is that every State of this country now has at least one U701 Ultra Cold Chain equipment to store ultra-cold vaccines,” he posited.
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