COVID-19: We’re far from the end of this outbreak – FG

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic has noted that the fight to free Nigeria of the outbreak was far from being over.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the PTF, Mr Boss Mustapha, who declared this during Monday’s edition of the daily press briefing on the task force, cited the increasing number of confirmed cases on a daily basis as reason for the conclusion.

He, however, charged Nigerians to join the PTF in its focus to seeing that the national response efforts yield the desired results, which he said were both reducing the impact of the disease across all the states and taking the nation back to a healthy economy.

“Given the increase in the number of confirmed cases in the last week, the PTF remains conscious of the fact that we are far from the end of this outbreak in Nigeria. We, therefore, must focus even more vigorously on our strategy of increasing testing, isolating confirmed cases, following up with contacts of cases and managing confirmed cases to recovery.

“The significant increase in the number of cases and distribution across states underscore the importance of remaining focused as citizens and as a nation because of the enormity of the challenges ahead.

“This is the time for all hands to be on deck so that the PTF can improve on its delivery. We must all come together because we face a common enemy and potential risk. We must flatten the curve at all cost and restore our country to full activity”, he charged.

The Chairman of the task force, however regretted the heavy toll the outbreak had taken on Nigerians in terms of number of lives already lost, particularly noting the passage over the weekend of the late Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari, recalling that he had spurred the national efforts and challenged the PTF to its responsibilities.

He also expressed regrets over the occasion of non-compliance with set COVID-19 regulations for managing crowd and activities, apologising and promising a more coordinated in future engagements of the task force.

“The PTF recognizes, regrettably, the unintentional violation of the principles and protocols that form the core of our messaging to Nigerians, at the funeral of the late Chief of Staff. These principles for emphasis, include: the guidance provided on mass gatherings; social distancing; Personal Hygiene; and restriction of movements.

“Lessons have been learnt and appropriate measures have been taken to close all gaps. We assure all Nigerians of their safety and the determination of the PTF to combat the pandemic”, he said.