COVID-19 Rules’ Breaches By Churches, Mosques Worry FG

• As Nigeria’s tally reaches 12,801
• NCDC confirms 315 new cases Monday

BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI, ABUJA – Concerns over breaches of COVID-19 rules by religious worship centres have sparked of warnings from the Federal Government that Nigerians remained at great risk of deadly virus infection.

Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, raised the alarm following the opening of churches and mosques for worship in Abuja, the nation’s capital at the weekend.

He said as the PTF continues to monitor compliance nationwide, it is important for “our religious leaders and the entire populace to adhere to the guidelines issued by the PTF and the protocols agreed by the State Governments.”

The government’s position is against the backdrop of rising figures announced by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Monday, June 8, 2020, confirming 315 new cases nationwide.

With Lagos still maintaining its notoriety as epicentre of the pandemic in Nigeria, the Centre said total number of cases in the country has now risen to 12, 801 out of the 78,244 samples already tested across the country

It however said the heartwarming news is that about 4,040 patients have been treated, recovered and discharged from various isolations centres in the country.

Available information on the NCDC’s website indicated that: “On the 8th of June 2020, 315 new confirmed cases and 7 deaths were recorded in Nigeria” with no new state reporting a case in the last 24 hours.

The Centre further stated that: “Till date, 12801 cases have been confirmed, 4040 cases have been discharged and 361 deaths have been recorded in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory.”

Breaking down the numbers, the NCDC said of the 315 new cases that were reported from 14 states in the Federation, Lagos recorded (128); FCT – (34); Rivers – (32); Edo – (28); Oyo – (22); and Kaduna – (20).

The also include: Gombe – (13); Ogun – Eight (8); Delta and Kwara – Seven (7) cases each; Kano and Plateau – Five (5) cases each; Bauchi – Four (4); and Katsina Two (2).

But the PTF Chairman, who spoke at the daily media briefing of NCDC in Abuja, said; “If everyone diligently observes the guidelines, we can collectively control the spread of the virus, and help to protect our health facilities as well as save lives”.

“Over the last weekend, the ease of restriction on places of worship came into focus and that it is important to note that the guidelines gave states the latitude and the opportunity to negotiate protocols that meet their peculiarities”, the SGF said.

While also admitting that the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak has exposed the weaknesses inherent in the nation’s health care systems and the need for urgent attention, Mustapha said: “Within our national setting, the weaknesses inherent in our national health care systems were made glaring and needed urgent attention. Government determined immediately, to take on the lessons and to ensure that the healthcare system experienced tremendous leap in human and infrastructure development as well as policy focus, stability and direction.”

He said the PTF had begun the process of introducing mental health services into managing the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that adequate attention is being devoted to managing the health of victims and their families.

Below are tweets by ‎@NCDCgov

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@NCDCgov
Replying to @NCDCgov
A breakdown of cases by state can be found via https://covid19.ncdc.gov.ng/report/ #TakeResponsibility

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@NCDCgov
Replying to @NCDCgov
“We recognise that we started from a very low base, with inadequate health infrastructure to respond to an outbreak of such magnitude

What we have regardless is a vibrant workforce, working round the clock to control #COVID19Nigeria”

~@Chikwe_I on @ARISEtv #TakeResponsibility

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@NCDCgov
Replying to @NCDCgov
“We’re not where we want to be in the response to #COVID19Nigeria

We have reagents for about 200,000 tests across our lab network, however our testing capacity is grossly under-utilised

We’re challenging states to collect samples from the right people”

~ @Chikwe_I on @ARISEtv

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@NCDCgov
Everyday, the #NCDCTeam works with @FoodnDrugsFMOH to manage distribution of medical supplies to States so that frontline health workers are protected

Our logistics management system helps us keep track of current stock and plan proactively to maintain the supply chain

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@NCDCgov
Today at the daily @PTFCOVID19 press briefing, DG @Chikwe_I was asked if he had seen the tweet and video about #COVID19 case management in Nasarawa State

Watch this video to hear his response, including the role of the State in providing care for #COVID19 cases

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@NCDCgov
FAQs ON #COVID19 CASE MANAGEMENT

How do people recover in isolation centres?#COVID19 cases are managed based on the symptoms, complications & other conditions they present on admission or develop during treatment while their immune system fights the virus#TakeResponsibility