COVID-19: Nigeria no longer among top five countries in Africa with high fatalities, says PTF 

The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 pandemic has declared that Nigeria is no longer among the top five countries in Africa with cumulative deaths.

It has, however, urged Nigerians to change their attitude of scepticism and nonchalance to COVID-19, insisting that the virus is still “ferocious and deadly.”

It further urged Nigerians not to be  deceived by the fact that the country’s recovery rate is high and very encouraging.

The PTF  Chairman and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, said at Thursday’s media briefing in Abuja: “Although Nigeria is no longer in the top five countries by cumulative deaths in Africa, the PTF continues to urge Nigerians to change their attitude of scepticism and nonchalance to the virus.

“For the avoidance of doubts, the virus is real, ferocious and deadly. To date, Nigeria has recorded 59,738 confirmed cases and 1,113 fatalities.

“The PTF is fully conscious, but not deceived, by the fact that our recovery rate is high and very encouraging. We still urge, however, that everyone should get tested because testing is the only way to detect, isolate, trace and treat.

“Media reports have suggested that many Nigerians do not trust the government and its agencies. We need to continue to build mutual trust between government and the governed if successes already recorded are to be sustained in the fight against COVID-19.”

Mustapha said the PTF and relevant agencies are working with the European Union on the issue of flights into Nigeria.

“As soon as negotiations are completed, Nigerians will be informed accordingly. For flights currently allowed into Nigeria, we are seeing a combined number of 4,500 arriving passengers per day into Lagos and Abuja.”

The PTF chair expressed sadness over the death of a laboratory expert with the NCDC, Mr. Uche Njoku, who was shot and killed while on official trip by unknown gunmen.

“The PTF commiserate with his family and all frontline workers on this painful loss. We also wish the other workers in the vehicle that were injured a quick recovery.

“This incident underscores the danger that frontline workers face in the course of fighting this virus on our behalf. We urge all Nigerians to continue to pray for the safety of all frontline workers and their families.”