Babajide Sanwo-Olu governor of Lagos has asked residents of the state to ensure strict adherence to the COVID protocol, considering the recent increase in the number of infections and deaths.
He stated this on Monday while giving an update on the COVID situation in the state.
According to the governor, a daily average of six deaths has been recorded in isolation centres within the past week, while over 4,000 new infections were confirmed in July following the presidential steering committee on COVID-19’s announcement of the new Delta variant of Coronavirus infections, which was first reported in Nigeria on July 8 and has been linked to increased infection rates across countries.
In the same vein, the presidential steering committee on COVID-19 (PSC) has urged Nigerians to ensure strict adherence to the safety protocol, following the spread of the Delta variant of the virus across states.
Speaking at a media briefing on Monday, Boss Mustapha, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) and chairman of the PSC, expressed concern over the rising case count in recent times, noting that the country’s test positivity ratio has also increased to about six percent.
He assured that the PSC has been meeting to deliberate on the rising number of COVID-19 cases and proffer ways to prevent the spread of infections.
Also speaking at the briefing was Osagie Ehanire, minister of health who said that available data indicates that Nigeria is already experiencing the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He solicited for state participation in sample collection, reporting, and treatment of cases, saying that only 17 states made data or sample submissions in the last cycle.
The minister also said there are available beds and oxygen supply at treatment centers, adding that they are ready to receive cases in the face of the third wave threat.
Ehanire pointed out that most of the deaths recorded were from people who didn’t get vaccinated, hence he advised that Nigerians endeavor to get vaccinated while also calling on Nigerians to improve on the observance of precautionary measures and report any feeling of unwellness to the nearby COVID-19 center.
He assured that the health ministry is engaging resident doctors to call off the strike but will ensure treatment of patients is not disrupted by their absence.
Further in the address was Geoffrey Onyeama, minister of foreign affairs who stated that diplomats from Brazil, India, South Africa, and Turkey will, henceforth, be asked to quarantine in government-approved facilities.
The foreign minister, however, said there may be some exceptions while noting that ambassadors and deputy ambassadors coming from these countries will be exempted, but asked to isolate in their private residences.
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