The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has urged Nigerians to adhere strictly to precautionary measures against COVID-19 transmission to prevent a third wave of the pandemic.
The PTF said the virus is very potent and people still get infected and that Nigeria is not yet out of the woods.
It also warned Nigerians against indulging in home-based care, noting that should there be a third wave, facilities and personnel to manage patients in times of emergencies might be inadequate.
Speaking during the joint national briefing in Abuja yesterday, the PTF chairman and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said efforts are already being made to ensure the situation is well managed should the country experience the resurgence of the virus.
“It is in this vain that concerted efforts have been made to ensure that oxygen is available for patients in all the 46 facilities.
“As at March, 14, 2021, bed occupancy reduced to 1.22 per cent, and active cases stood 13,245.
“Unfortunately, Nigeria crossed 2,000 fatalities on March 12, 2021, and now we have 2,013 recorded deaths,” he said.
Mustapha noted that despite having the arrival of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and ongoing vaccination, the Federal Government will still pursue the National Response to COVID-19 as originally “conceptualised – test, detect, trace, isolate and treat.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, the virus is very potent and people still get infected. It is also a fact that the vaccination process has only just begun. It has been reported that some countries are recording a third wave of cases.
“We urge all Nigerians to recognise that we are not yet out of the woods. “Therefore, the PTF shall continue to emphasis and promote the strict adherence to the non-pharmaceutical interventions.”
On the discontinued vaccination with the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine by several; countries due to blood clots, Mustapha assured that relevant health authorities in the country have tested and authorised the use of the vaccines before vaccination began.
The SGF reassured Nigerians that their health remains a priority.
On the issue of pre-boarding testing for passengers, the PTF chairman revealed that there are ongoing talks with KLM and Emirates management, adding that KLM agreed to resume outbound flights from Lagos without RDTs, while a letter has been sent to Emirates to suspend flights with effect from midnight Wednesday, March 17.
He, however, assured that talks were on-going to have the matter resolved amicably.