FG: Expect Massive COVID-19 Infections In 2 Weeks

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha has hinted at possible massive coronavirus infections in Nigeria in the next two weeks, citing likely importation of the virus into the country.

Mustapha, at the briefing of the PTF, decried the failure of Nigerians who arrived from abroad to present themselves for the in-country Polymerase Chain Reaction test they signed up to before arrival.

He said statistics from the nation’s records showed that only one out of three passengers had shown up for the in-country test.

“The PTF at the last briefing cautioned on the need to avoid complacency on account of the low number of infections published daily and the possibility of a second wave. That advice was premised on the fact that risk perception remains very low and sample collection has been on the decline,” Mustapha said.

He also cited the recent governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States as well as the #EndSARS nationwide protests.

“The PTF is highlighting these issues repeatedly because we remain at risk of importation, having opened our airspace and massive spread as a result of the protests. The next week or two remain critical.

Payment Of N50,000 To 1,250 Vulnerable Households Begins In Akwa Ibom

“The PTF similarly announced sanctions as a consequence of any infraction. Having observed serious non-compliance to the level of 65%, the need has arisen to activate the sanctions, including the suspension of the passports of such defaulting individuals for a period of six months minimum.”

He said the PTF had revised its meeting and briefing frequency to once a week in order to allow members carry out other functions and activities. He, however, stressed that this did not preclude the need to call for emergency meetings and briefings when the need arose.