August 03, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government has put six states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on red alert as the third wave of COVID-19 rages.
On Monday, the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19, listed Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Oyo, Rivers, Kano and Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as COVID-19 flash points; a development it said called for concern.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, said more African countries were reporting more fresh cases of the pandemic.
The SGF said the Delta variant accounts for the rising cases of COVID-19 in the listed states and across the nation with Lagos alone accounting for over 50 percent of the number of cases.
Mustapha stated the situation is worrisome and shows that the country is not out of the woods yet.
The PSC Chairman confirmed that Nigeria recorded about 500 cases daily in the last seven days.
He said: “The world has added about four million cases and under 100,000 deaths in the last one week. All countries in the West African region are beginning to see the third Wave while Nigeria is recording about 500 cases daily in the last seven days.
“Our test positivity ratio has increased to about six 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 Plateau 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 percent of the number of cases.
“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 contacted this virus can be treated early.”
Mustapha disclosed 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 added: “The Controller-General of 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.
“Vaccination prevents severe cases and reduces hospitalisation and deaths, but does not eliminate contracting it, hence the need to religiously observe the NPIs.”
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