20 local govt areas with 60% of COVID-19 in Nigeria- PTF
While the Presidential Task Force Team has been doing greatly well towards ensuring that the further spread of the COVID-19 (C19) pandemic is completely halted in the country.
The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 pandemic has said that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, remains one of the hotspots where community spread of the virus is prevalent.
The Chairman of PTF and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, made this known on Friday while receiving a donation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) worth N10 million from Rotary District of 9125.
Mr. Mustapha was represented by the Permanent Secretary (General Services Office), Olusegun Adekunle.
He said that 20 local government areas currently contributed 60 percent of the COVID-19 cases in the country.
The PTF chairman listed the affected areas to include: Mainland, Abuja Municipal, Mushin, Eti-Osa, Tarauni, Katsina, Alimosho, Maiduguri, Kosofe, and Dutse.
Others were Ikeja, Nassarawa, Oshodi/Isolo, Apapa, Amuwo Odofin, Oredo, Bauchi, Lagos Island, Surulere, and Ado Odo/Ota.
Mr. Mustapha blamed the rising community spread of the pandemic to a poor level of compliance with the precautionary measures at the community level.
He, therefore, appealed to the group, led by its Governor, Victor Onukhugwa, to take the COVID-19 pandemic awareness campaign to the communities.
“We want to sensitize Nigerians on the dangers of this development,” he said. “We urge Rotary to help us take the awareness further. The risk management team is available to share a strategy with the organization.”
The SGF further warned that the ravaging effect of COVID-19 pandemic “was there for everyone to see, including the impact on both governance and the economy.”
“It is for us to strategize for a new way of life. A good number of staff have not been at work for the past four months. The impact of this on the economy is glaring.
“The fatality rate is quite high. We keep telling Nigerians that please these are not just numbers, but brothers, sisters, and colleagues that have passed on.
“Some groups and clubs have been trying hard for us to control this. The resources needed to fight the virus are enormous,” Mr Mustapha said.
He lauded the group for the donation, saying that some of the items had become scarce commodities due to global demand.
“We acknowledge that the donations are useful. The items are being chased globally, even, if you have resources you might not get them.
“The donation is gratifying because hundreds of medical personnel have been infected, perhaps due to lack of the kits.
“They will be used judiciously and it will be accounted for. We received these items with gratitude.”
Ayooluwa Joshua