One In Every Five COVID-19 Tests Conducted Last Week Returned Positive – PTF

• Mustapha said the NCDC has been directed to implement the 450 COVID-19 tests per LGA plan

Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha on Monday stated that one in every five persons tested in Nigeria within the past week kí were positive.

Mustapha, who disclosed this in his remarks during the PTF’s daily briefing in Abuja, said Nigeria and South Africa have continued to report the highest daily count of COVID-19 on the African continent.

According to him, South Africa, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Algeria, and Kenya now account for 76 per cent of all cases in the African region.

Read also: PTF Blames Spike In COVID-19 Infections On Travels, Activities Of Worship Centres, Others

He also disclosed that Nigeria has moved up to the third position in the highest cumulative caseload but remains 2nd for new cases and 5th highest in cumulative deaths in the WHO African region.

Mustapha who doubles as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) said from the foregoing, testing has proven to have become more significant in the nation’s response, adding that the PTF still urges the State Governments to enable their EOCs to step up on sample collection and to maximise the capacities of the PCR Laboratories already established in their States.

He further disclosed that the PTF has also authorized the NCDC to immediately implement the 450 tests per LGA plan, nationwide, immediately, beginning with States that are at the forefront of resourcing and infrastructure.

The PTF Chairman reemphasized the need for all segments of the society to get involved in risk communication and community engagement.