The Director-General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, has given a stern warning about the coronavirus pandemic and how fast it is spreading.
Ihekweazu made this known at the joint national briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 that held in Abuja on Monday.
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He also noted that many victims have continued to experience tiredness and other symptoms even after recovery.
According to him, in the last four weeks, the country has recorded a rapid increase in the number of new COVID-19 cases.
“We have now reported over 100,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Nigeria and this is a stark reminder of the reality we live in now.
“A virus that has affected over 100,000 lives and led to over 1,300 deaths within 11 months in Nigeria, with millions more globally.
“We cannot be too careful. The silent face of COVID-19 with which you cannot tell whether someone has the virus or not, the only option before us is to take protective measures at all times,” he said.
Ihekweazu said that healthcare workers need to make sure that if people are unwell, COVID-19 should first be ruled out before treating malaria.
“We are rolling out the use of Rapid Diagnostic Test Kits (RDTs) in five institutions in Abuja. This will increase access to testing and we then intend to roll out across the country in February.
“This will make testing a lot more available to hospitals,” he said.
The NCDC boss also pointed out that there was no state that was immune to the spread of COVID-19.
The NCDC boss said that the country had reached “a very critical level” where the hospitals can no longer be able to cope with the increased number of cases.
“We need to protect our more vulnerable citizens, while we all have to take responsibility because this has gone beyond the NCDC, PTF, or government, as all hands must be on deck.
“By organizing large gatherings indoors, you are not only putting yourself and guests at risk but also the staff who have limited choice but to serve.
“By going to clubs, you are putting your parents at risk,” he said.
“By adhering to health measures, wearing masks, washing hands, observing physical distancing, staying at home, avoiding large gatherings and poorly ventilated indoor space, we can prevent its spread.
