….As FG Moves To Cut Rapid Transmission Rate
By Chris Udochukwu
Abuja (Precise Post) – The Secretary to government of the federation (SGF) who doubles as chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha said the latest analysis showed that 16 out of every 100 tests conducted were positive.
This is also as the federal government is mapping out strategies to flatten the curve in the country as a result of the rapid transmission of coronavirus among Nigerians, particularly the younger people.
Speaking at the briefing of the PTF, the SGF said, “Our analysis shows that 16 out of every 100 tests carried out are positive. We are also seeing increasing transmission among younger people and this is not considered good and safe. We must therefore exercise utmost restraint by taking responsibility”.
Revealing some of the measures taken to contain the pandemic, Mustapha hinted that the federal government has suspended the international passports of 100 Nigerians who failed to take the mandatory second test of COVID-19 after arriving Nigeria.
He said the names of the passengers will be published on January 1, 2021 and the suspension of their passports will last for six months.
The SGF noted: “With effect from 1st January, 2021 the passports of the first 100 passengers that failed to take their day seven post-arrival PCR test will be published in the national dailies.
“The passports, as deterrence, will also be suspended till June 2021”.
The PTF on COVID-19 also lamented the difficulty in national response, noting that “our National Response is passing through a challenging phase due to the seriousness of the second wave of infections in Nigeria”.
Mustapha added: “Week 52 has so far given us the highest number of infections, in a single week, to date. The PTF, this afternoon, discussed two very critical issues namely: Oxygen supply and Case Management. With the increasing number of infections and hospitalization, our objectives are to: ensure that infection, prevention and control (IPC) is properly instituted tominimize spread and exposure of health care workers to the virus; ensure that those who require hospitalization are well managed; those requiring medical attention for other ailments gain access to Treatment at medical facilities; and critical care is available and deployed especially where oxygen is needed.
“The situation in Abuja and its environs has been of concern to the PTF. During our conversation with health authorities (including the CMDs of Federal Tertiary Institutions in Abuja: – National Hospital; Jabi & Gwagwalada) this afternoon, the PTF directed that the level of Infections, Prevention and Control as well as case management should be prioritized immediately,” Mustapha said.
Against the backdrop early detection of the virus, the federal government also urged state governments and other private organisations to start conducting rapid test as the second wave of the COVID-19 is spreading fast.
The PTF chairman noted: “You will recall that we recently issued some protocols to states to which a number of states have been actively implementing. We thank these States and urge others to follow suit.
“Closely related to these protocols, is the fact that the strategy of testing to detect and treat remains central to the role states are expected to play. Data shows that despite the resources already made available to sub-national entities, testing is very low across States in varying degrees.
“This is not helping our National Response. Indeed, some States have not reported any infections in several weeks.
“Reports received also point to the fact that laboratories recently established in the States are not working optimally.
“You will recall that we moved from two laboratories to about 90 (Public & Private) located in all states of the Federation. Their inability to function optimally has resulted in unacceptable levels of delay in receiving results and pressure on the National Reference Labs.
“We wish to urge all States to reopen all laboratories and ensure that testing is expanded and turnaround time for results is substantially reduced. In the same vein, states should please keep their Isolation/Treatment Centres open because of the rising cases of infection nationwide”.
The federal government further noted that it has worked out additional quarantine protocols to be observed by travelers arriving from the UK and South Africa.
This, it said, is in keeping with our determination to minimize any possibility of importation of the virus.
Mustapha said, “The new policy started from Monday, 28th December, 2020. Key changes include: Requirement for passengers for two additional documents: permit to travel/QR code obtained from the travel portal after payment for the day seven post-arrival test; and COVID 19 PCR negative test with a validity now shortened to 96 hours or four days.
“The PTF shall remain vigilant on this matter and our relevant agencies are also working on the sequencing to determine the strain found. The DG NCDC will elaborate on this subject.”
