By Asmau Ahmad
The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 said there are indications that Nigeria had now entered a second wave of the Coronavirus infections.
Chairman of the PTF and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Mr Boss Mustapha gave the indication during the daily national briefing of the taskforce in Abuja.
The PTF chairman was represented at the briefing by the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika.
He lamented the risk of not just losing the gains from the hard work of the last nine months, but also losing precious lives of the citizens.
The PTF’s concerns came ahead of next week’s submission of its end of term report to President Muhammad Buhari scheduled for December 22, 2020.
He said: “The events and statistics of the last two weeks, within and outside Nigeria, have been very mixed. The first is the cheering news of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“While on the other hand, we have witnessed spikes in number of infections at home and abroad and the real threat is upon humanity and the progress made in the global health sector in the last five decades or more.
Adding that, “In Nigeria, the indication is that we have entered a second wave of infections and we stand the risk of not just losing the gains from the hard work of the last nine months but also losing the precious lives of our citizens.
Senator Sirika, however, said the PTF believes that if we do the right things, “adhere to the NPIs and step up our testing and detection, loss of lives will be minimised and the rising curve will begin to flatten.”
The PTF chairman further stated that the country is in a potentially difficult phase of the COVID-19 resurgence, saying accessing the hope offered by the arrival of the vaccine is still some time ahead.
He observed that Vaccines alone cannot cure the virus, but a combination of initiatives, “including the NPIs; that more than ever before, we need compliance.”
The SGF also stated that the PTF shall escalate its risk communication and community engagement strategies to higher levels.
He said: “Lives have been lost, but we must slow down the pace of the spread; and at the rate at which the numbers are rising should be examined and our vigilance and compliance with the NPIs should be intensified,” he said.
Mustapha cautioned Nigerians ahead of the Christmas season, urging them to remain conscious of the fact that large gathering events will take place.
