FG: Nigeria Witnessing Drop in COVID-19 Infections

Onyebuchi Ezigbo

The federal government has said that the country is presently witnessing daily reduction in the number of COVID-19 infections as well as fatalities.

It also said that following the distribution of oxygen concentrators and ventilators to various health institutions, the ministry of health has commenced the training of about 176 intensive care specialists, and biomedical engineers, who will use or maintain them in the hospitals.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire who stated this in Abuja yesterday at the press briefing by the Presidential Taskforce (PTF) on COVID-19, explained that both the supply of the oxygen ventilators and training are being provided by the United States Government.

While giving update on the efforts to control the infection, Ehanire said that recent test results showed downward trend in the numbers of positive cases as well as fatalities in the country.

He said: “The daily figures of the past few days seem to show a downward trend in numbers of COVID-19 cases as well as fatalities, but we unfortunately cannot afford to rejoice or speak of success, for many reasons”.

The minister however cautioned that the country cannot afford to be complacent as international news media reports have shown scenes of upsurge in cases, called the second wave in several high-income countries, many of which had been thought to have defeated the virus.

“This is a situation we must endeavor to avoid, and for that, all steps must be taken.

“It is important for us to generate national and international confidence in our data by conducting more targetted testing before we draw conclusions.