THUR, MAY 07 2020-theG&BJournal-The latest numbers on coronavirus infection in the country reads- confirmed cases 3,145, deaths 103; discharges 534. Just a little above 12,000 samples have so far been tested.
The disease is attacking more men within the ages of 21 to 51, women and increasing number of children are infected by the virus. The most hit are men and women within he ages 31-40, the most active segment of the population
The cases in the country is nearing the total of confirmed cases in the whole of Central Africa and projected to overtake that of West Africa by the end of the month-if sample collection and testing is not hampered.
Health of officials are emphasizing their warnings of the deadliness of the disease and the potent nature of community transmission.
‘’The overall assessment of compliance with the measures and outcomes of modelling we have developed, point in the direction of danger ahead,’’ says Boss Mustapha Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the Task Force. He was addressing the defiance by Nigerians on rules of COVID-19 engagement.
According to the SGF, ‘’early assessment of the ease of lockdown phase indicate that Nigerians are yet to come to terms with the deadliness and the virulent nature of the COVID-19 and this gives us concerns on the high possibility of increased seeding of the virus to hitherto un-affected persons and populations.’’
Some of these areas of worries Mustapha noted, include non-compliance with social/physical distancing guidelines evidenced by higher than advised congregation of people in banks, traffic gridlocks especially at entry points to metropolitan areas and disregard of guidelines on carrying capacity of motor vehicles, Increased level of inter-state movements worsened by the dubious concealment of people in food carrying vehicles and unhygienic and ill-advised use and sharing of masks especially multiple fittings before buying from vendors.
‘’I want to re-iterate the fact that our individual and collective safety is in our hands and I re-echo my call and appeal to Nigerians to demonstrate our duty to ourselves and loved ones by minimizing the risk of getting infected by the virus.
We therefore need personal discipline, increased awareness and enforcement. The PTF calls on community, religious and traditional leaders to take up this challenge. Similarly, we call on, trade associations, professional bodies and organizations to compliment the efforts of government. The PTF appreciates your current efforts but it has become very obvious that more needs to be done, together.’’
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