SGF: Why COVID-19 cases are increasing in Nigeria
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, has revealed the rising cases of the coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria was due to its increased capacity to test those suspected to have the novel disease.
Nigeria has so far conducted 9,000 tests with the confirmed cases of the killer virus presently at 782.
Speaking on Wednesday during its daily press briefing, Mustapha who is the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) Committee on COVID-19, said plans are already in place to improve door-to-door testing in Lagos and Abuja.
According to him, “The PTF notes that the number of cases has risen generally. This is attributable to expansion of our testing capacity and activities as well as evidence that community spread is taking place.
“Considering the dynamic nature of the response plan, the strategy for testing has been modified and door-to-door testing is now taking place in some communities in Lagos and Abuja. Testing, detection, isolation, care and case management remain central to our success in this fight.
“Ladies and gentlemen, let me remind us all that this pandemic is real and its spreading like wide fire. We must all arise to fight this potent and invisible common enemy by adhering to the guidelines and protocols for COVID-19, which includes personal hygiene, social distancing, wear of masks in public places, obeying the stay-at-home order and reporting unusual illness to the authorities for investigation.”
He reiterated the commitment of the PTF in championing the fight against the pandemic, while noting the force is open to ideas and suggestions on how to best tackle spread of the virus.
