Five months after Nigeria recorded its first COVID-19 case, it has conducted less than 300,000 tests. Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Chikwe Ihekweazu speaking at the briefing of the Presidential Taskforce (PTF) on COVID-19 on Monday, August 3, explained that there has been a decline in the rate of COVID-19 infections recorded. As at Monday, August 3, there were 288 confirmed cases, indicating a steady decline from the previous four days and being the lowest number in at least two weeks. Observers have attributed this to undertesting, as only 287,532 tests had been carried out at the time across the country’s 26 molecular laboratories, with a total of 44,129 confirmed cases. However, the NCDC has flagged most cases as having been contracted from unknown sources. Over 70 per cent of confirmed cases could not be traced back to likely community sources, thereby pointing towards widespread community transmission. The PTF also disclosed that Nigeria is working with the global community to ensure access to vaccines when they become available. Nigeria is still nowhere close to testing 10 per cent of its population, even as plans are underway to further ease the lockdown. It will be recalled that President Buhari extended the second phase of the ease of the COVID-19 lockdown from July 29 to August 5.
As schools re-opened on August 3 for secondary school students in exit classes, the PTF has underscored the need to avoid a second wave of infection, as it will have a devastating effect on the Nigerian economy and also result in fatalities. National Co-ordinator of the Taskforce urged businesses that are re-opening across the country to ensure adherence to COVID-19 protocols in order to avoid a resurgence of the disease and a second lockdown, as is being experienced in some countries around the world. He also appealed to Nigerians, State and religious authorities to adhere to approved preventive measures and guidelines.
As part of its efforts to curb the spread of the disease, the Federal Government in July, enjoined staff of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government to get tested for COVID-19 at the testing facility provided at ThisDay Dome in Abuja. Also, some States have made arrangements to have returning students tested for COVID-19, as they commence preparations to sit for their examinations.