More than 44 million Nigerians will qualify for the COVID-19 vaccines as the global effort on the vaccines ramps up, the Presidential Task Force on the pandemic has said.
The National Coordinator of the PTF, Dr Sani Aliyu, announced this while addressing the 22nd Nigerian Governors Forum on Friday.
Aliyu, who said the most vulnerable group of people from 50 years and above would be given attention in the distribution of the vaccines.
Expressing worry about the increasing cases of severe illness among COVID-19 patients in the country especially in Abuja, Aliyu urged the governors to remain very vigilant and keep their treatment centres active.
“The PTF is worried about the low testing rates in most of the states, we intend to launch a “COVID19 Testing Week” in which 450 tests would be conducted in each of the 774 local government areas over a two-week period.
“We solicit the cooperation of the governors especially on funding as the exercise is expected to be funded from the COVID-19 disbursed by the Federal Government to the states,’’he said.
Responding on behalf of the governors, the NGF chairman and Ekiti Gov. Kayode Fayemi promised that the states would continue to run active and operational COVID-19 Task Force teams and emergency operation centres and release funds promptly.
“We will ensure prompt release of funds as outlined in the State Incidence Action Plans (IAP), keep temporary treatment centers open, ramp up COVID-19 testing across the country.
“We will also support the planned COVID-19 Testing Week,’’ he said.
Author
Leave a comment