Lagos State has been listed as among states that are causes for concern as the third wave of COVID-19 rages, the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 (PSC) has said.
Other states include Akwa Ibom, Oyo, Rivers, Kano, and the Plateau States, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Speaking at its regular briefing yesterday, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and chairman of the PSC, Boss Mustapha, said all countries in the West African region were beginning to see the third wave with Nigeria recording about 500 cases daily in the last seven days.
“It is no more news that the Delta variant has made its way into Nigeria. The PSC is particularly concerned about the situation in Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Oyo, Rivers, Kano, Plateau and FCT as this variant has made its way into these states and accounts for the rising cases in these states and across the nation. Lagos alone accounts for over 50 per cent of the number of cases.
“This development calls for great caution because the virus is very virulent and raging in so many other countries. We must therefore keep observing the Non-Pharmaceutical Intervention (NPIs) and also ensure that we get vaccinated. Vaccination prevents severe cases and reduces hospitalisation and deaths but does not eliminate contacting it, hence the need to religiously observe the NPIs,” he said.
Speaking on travellers evading travel protocol and quarantine, the SGF said: “The PSC is ready to publish over 500 travellers who violated the travel protocol and those who evaded quarantine this week. Similarly, those who had their passports barred for six months will be lifted in the coming days.”
The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, solicited more participation of states in the roles they have to play in sample collection, preparing isolation and treatment centers and providing logistics for movement of commodities and patients and reporting to the various COVID-19 pillars.
He said: “Only 17 states made data or sample submissions in the last cycle, where Lagos and Akwa Ibom States were the epicenters. We are considering strategies to scale up testing and identify positive cases for isolation and treatment. If you feel unwell, please report to the nearest testing centre to get the COVID-19 test. Less than 10 per cent of beds in treatment centres are occupied and oxygen supply is assured, as we continue to build up oxygen capacity.
“Nevertheless, all treatment centres have been put on alert to receive cases, especially in the face of the threat of the third wave, as we continue to train community volunteers and intensive care experts, to support our response.”
