COVID-19: Nigeria records 27,O78 with 4,399 cases in 35 states
As at the end of yesterday, Nigeria has ramped up testing by 1,127 to a total of 27,078 tests, which yielded 4,399 cases in 35 States, with a gender ratio of 70 to 30 percent for men and women. Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, disclosed this on the 11th of May, at a press briefing in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Ehanire, while giving the update on the number of patients discharged so far, noted that 778 persons have been discharged with 243 death recorded, giving a case fatality rate of 3%.
According to him, “The new cases breakdown is as follows: Lagos 81, Jigawa 35, Bornu 26, Kano 26, Bauchi 20, FCT 13, Edo 12, Sokoto 10, Zamfara 7, Kwara 7, Kebbi 4, Gombe 2, Taeaba 2, Ekiti 2, Ogun 2, Osun a Bayelsa 1.”
“Kogi and Cross River States have not reported any cases, but we are optimistic that we can work with the State Health Ministry to validate this in due course, when we engage the State authorities.
“A team from the FMoH, made up of experts from various specialties, including NCDC, is on standby to proceed to Calabar as soon as travel arrangements can be made, taking with them, resource to support the health system.
“Senior management of the Federal Ministry of Health and clinical case managers in our hospitals, this morning participated in a multinational teleconference with Chinese medical and academic experts in Beijing, where much insight was gained into the treatment strategy of China and other matters of common interest were discussed. The learnings from this intervention are invaluable in reexamining our methods.
“It is important that our response to COVID-19 be a concerted national, collaborative drive, to stand a better chance of being effective. This requisite synergy cuts across tiers of government, levels of care and builds on partnerships to get it right for Nigeria. It must be sustained and or extended, with room for interstate collaboration. So far, our efforts are yielding result as shown in states where panic and scare were initially rife, but now subsumed.
“I salute all Health workers at the frontline, our human resources, trainers, and hands-on practitioners alike, who make care possible and the most important element of our response. Your contributions are recognized and we doff our hats to your service” the Minister said.
On Kano state, the Minister asserted that the Ministerial Task Team deployed to the state to assist in the containment effort and provide direction in managing the COVID-19 situation has made significant gains.
He however stated that the Presidential Task Team lead by Dr. Gwarzo and three experts including Infectious disease specialists visited Katsina state for situation analysis were able to offer support.
Ehanire said that a detailed report is awaited and is expected to provide a roadmap to addressing the challenges in line with the response pillars.
He said, “Federal Government is cooperating with the WHO on treatment regimen Solidarity trial with the following states enrolled; Lagos, FCT, Ogun, Kaduna, Sokoto and Kano.
“As restrictions are eased, I urge citizens to adhere to NCDC guidelines of safety and public health advisories on infection prevention and control. These include the mandatory use of cloth masks outside of homes and physical distancing.
“With regard to the use and maintenance of masks, it is important to emphasize that the mask must cover both your mouth and your nose, most especially during face-to-face conversation. It should not be under your chin, lest the purpose is defeated. Cloth masks must be washed with soap and water daily and sundried or ironed”