Health Minister Dr. Osagie Ehanire has warned Nigerians over a rise COVID-19 cases as consequences of the ease of lockdown urging them to prepare for virus surge.
Ehanire, who gave the warning on Thursday at a briefing by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 Control in Abuja, said more cases of the virus should be expected, following the lifting of the ban on interstate travels.
He cautioned Nigerians not to assume it has become safe to move about yet.
According to him, stakeholders should take advantage of the four-week extension of the second phase of easing the lockdown as approved by President Muhammadu Buhari to review the strategy and assess the effectiveness of measures in place.
The minister said: “The number of COVID-19 positive cases is increasing dramatically in Nigeria, but also globally, as news reports show. Our strategy uses the statistics to calibrate response, but also address the concerns of citizens.
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“The ratio of male to female among the infected has remained quite stable at 70 per cent to 30 per cent. While the majority of the infected cases are below 50 years, the majority of the fatalities are over 50 years old.
“This rising trend requires that each state of the federation continues to prepare more bed spaces and increase sample collection sites, as well as improve logistics to deliver to designated laboratories promptly. It is also important to protect the vulnerable by putting in place measures which take care of their social needs and reduce their exposure to risks of infection.”
