The federal government has asked states to make provision of
more bed spaces for coronavirus patients.
Speaking at the media briefing of the presidential task
force on COVID-19 on Wednesday, Osagie Ehanire, minister of health, said there
would be more cases of the disease due to the scaling up of testing.
He said the rise in the number of confirmed cases can be
attributed to community transmission and improved testing capacity.
“The increasing figure of confirmed cases underscores the
ongoing community transmission, which is a major challenge and again
necessitates a call on all citizens not to take this COVID-19 lightly; but to
take ownership of the initiatives for non pharmaceutical interventions with
strict adherence to public health advisories: maintain social distance,
practise hand and respiratory hygiene, avoid crowded places and wear your mask
or a face covering when you leave your house,” he said.
“These and other related measures are critical, and an
integral part of the strategy to ease restrictions as from 4th of May. Failure
to comply can have undesirable effects.
“Another pressing urgency is the need to provide and prepare
Isolation centers and more bed spaces in all States of the Federation. I wish
to appeal each State authority and the FCT to give first line attention to this
requirement, in order to meet expectations and obligations.”
The health minister also appealed to federal lawmakers to
assist in ensuring compliance with guidelines of health authorities in their
various constituencies.
He urged those who test positive for the disease to go on
isolation so as not to constitute a risk to other members of the public.
“As testing ramps up, the need will become more and more
obvious. It should therefore be prioritized, so that we are not taken by
surprise. I should take the opportunity to request Distinguished Senators, Hon.
members of Houses of Representatives and Assemblies to also get involved in the
disease surveillance and notification efforts in their constituencies and to
actively support the drive to rapidly increase bed spaces for Isolation and
treatment in their States. I shall also strongly urge those who test positive
for COVID-19 to cooperate with the directives of authorities, on Isolation, so
as not to constitute a risk and a cause for public concern.”
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