Anxiety as PTF raises fear about second lockdown

• 77 COVID-19 patients died within one week – Minister

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has alerted that the continued neglect of COVID-19 safety protocols by many Nigerians is likely to warrant the imposition of a second lockdown following rising cases of the virus new strain.

Chairman of the PTF and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, gave the warning at a media briefing in Abuja on Monday, adding that the country was in a “difficult situation”.

Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, also said at the briefing that about 77 COVID-19 patients died in the last one week in Nigeria.

Mustapha said everyone must be alert, take responsibilities and balance life and livelihood to avoid a second lockdown.

“​Let me remind you that the pandemic is raging and all tiers of government and citizens must keep their hands on the deck,” he said

“We are in a difficult situation in which a balance must continue to be struck between lives and livelihood.

“We are considering all options while hoping that broad cooperation will be received. We must do everything possible to avoid a second lockdown in Nigeria.”

Mustapha also asked states to strictly adhere to “non-pharmaceutical interventions” to avoid escalation of COVID-19 cases as schools resumed across the country.

“​While we note that several states have proceeded with the resumption of schools, the PTF recommends strongly that very strict adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions should be enforced by the states to avoid the escalation of cases. The PTF will continue to dialogue with the governors and the Federal Ministry of Education to closely monitor the situation,” he said.

He also spoke on the issue of vaccines, saying, “The positive news about vaccines remains high in the ranking of discussions nationwide. Nigerians are assured that the PTF will ensure that the vaccines to be approved will be safe and effective. We must however work together as foot soldiers in the vaccine advocacy so that we can eliminate the pandemic.”

Meanwhile, Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, has said one out of every five persons tested in the last one week turned out positive for COVID-19.

He also said on Monday during the briefing of the PTF on COVID-19 that about 77 patients died within that period.

He said the number of cases recorded in January alone is 20 per cent of the total number of cases in the country.

“The number of new COVID-19 cases has continued to rise in Nigeria, such that we confirmed 10,300 confirmed cases from just 50,750 samples tested in one week, translating to 20% positivity rate. It means 1 out of every 5 persons tested in the last one week turned out positive compared to the previous week which recorded a positivity rate of 14 per cent,” Ehanire said.