By Chinenye Festus:
The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire has issued a warning to Nigerians that things may get out of hands as regards the dreaded Covid-19 if we fail to adhere to safety guidelines and protocols meant to curb the spread of the virus.
Dr. Ehanire made this known during the daily briefing by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja on Monday. He reminded Nigerians that until a vaccine for the virus is discovered and approved, the only way to stay safe still remains adherence to guidelines already laid down.
“Many more Nigerians today personally knew a person who succumbed to COVID-19, and so I ask that we remind ourselves today that COVID-19 is still with us and will 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.”
Although Dr. Ehanire admitted that the reopening of the economy comes with many benefits, the society should be prepared for the changes it will bring along.
“We must make an effort to balance the benefits of a reactivated economy with the need to keep citizens safe, with no loss in gains so far made,” the Health Minister explained.
“Half of all cases in Nigeria so far are concentrated in 20 Local Government Areas, which could offer the attractive option of targetted attention, to focus on case finding, Isolation, and treatment,” Dr. Ehanire said.
While giving an insight into the country’s COVID-19 cases, Ehanire revealed that as of 10th August 2020, Nigeria has tested 317,496 samples with 33,186 persons discharged.
Of the 46,577 cases of the virus identified in the country so far, 945 persons have died, a situation the Minister of Health said is a sad reminder that the disease is real.
He also mentioned that COVID-19 infections have now been found in 549 of the 774 local government areas in Nigeria, adding that half the number of cases are concentrated in 20 council areas. Source:Channels
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