COVID-19: FG Declares Second Wave, Stakeholders React

COVID-19: FG Declares Second Wave, Stakeholders React

AREWA AGENDA – The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, on Thursday, officially declared the second wave of the virus in Nigeria.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, stated this during the daily media briefing.

Mustapha, who is currently in self isolation after some members of his family tested positive, was represented by Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika.

According to him, Nigeria has entered a second wave of infections and stands the risk of losing the gains from the hard work of the last nine months.

Mustapha said the PTF believes that “if we do the right things, adhere to the Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) and step up our testing and detection, loss of lives will be minimized and the rising curve will begin to flatten out.”

According to him, while the country in the last two weeks on the one hand, received cheering news of the COVID-19 vaccine on the other hand, “we have witnessed spikes in number of infections at home and abroad. The real threat is upon humanity and the progress made in the global health sector in the last five decades or more.”

He said Nigeria’s cumulative numbers in the last weeks of 49-51 showed: “Week 49 – 1,843; Week 50 – 3,918 and Week 51 (Mon-Wed): 1,889

Reacting to the development, Dr Aminu Magashi Garba, founder and coordinator of the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) expressed concern over the rise in daily cases across many states of the Federation, warning that now is not a time for citizens to be complacent.

“This is not the time to relax our guard. We must as individuals take this second wave very serious and ensure use of face masks consistently in all public places as well as ensuring social distancing in all social events especially this month as many are engaging in Alumni meetings of secondary and primary schools.” Magashi told Arewa Agenda.

Speaking further, Magashi advised that everyone to prioritize the use of sanitizer and hand washing with clean water and soap, while urging government to step up awareness creation on the matter.

“Government need to as well intensify testing as well as enforce use of face masks in public places and encourage security agents to ensure compliance in a respectful manner in line with the guidelines.” He said

Noting that Government cannot do it alone, he also called on philanthropists to involve themselves in producing and distributing more face masks and personal protective equipment to health workers free.

“Manufacturers are also encouraged to subsidize the cost of items produced in order to mitigate the impact of covid19 in Nigeria.” Says Aminu Magashi Garba.

Arewa Agenda is a Publication of Young writers/journalist from Northern Nigeria towards Peaceful Coexistence and National Development through positive narratives.