PROTOCOL
As of today, 23rd April, 2020, 873 people in 25 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been confirmed to have COVID-19 from 9,522 tests. The 91 additional confirmations are as follows: 74 in Lagos, 5 in Katsina, 4 in Ogun, 2 each in Delta and Edo, 1 each in Adamawa, Kwara, Oyo and FCT. 197 persons have been successfully treated for COVID-19 and discharged home, while 28 deaths have sadly been recorded.
2.Like yesterday, the high number of new cases, is a manifestation of more efficient testing, but also of ongoing community transmission. The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Nigeria Center for Disease Control, continues to support preparedness and response to COVID-19 in all States and the FCT. Rapid Response Teams are working closely with State Emergency Operations Centre to strengthen operations.
3.Speaking about the structure of our response, which is: TEST, TREAT, TRACE AND ISOLATE, the idea is to test people based on set criteria such as travel history, contacts or symptoms or clusters for the best prospects of high yield then; place those with positive test in treatment and isolation; trace all their contacts and quarantine them for 14 days
4.TEST:
Today NCDC laboratories have capacity to test 1,500 samples per day in 13 laboratories across the country. However, we are testing on average 600 samples per day because that is all the samples collected and sent for testing. Factors implicated in the process may include surveillance sample collection and mode of transportation, which can be improved to increase operational efficiency. This is where a little investment can help. The results of such intensification of efforts can be seen especially in Lagos where improved logistic management increased sample collection and significantly redued tturn around time.
5. As we further increase our testing capacity and accredit more laboratories, an even more robust sample transportation infrastructure will be in place, to promptly convey samples to any of the 13 labs activated so far.
6.TREAT:
Nigeria’s strategy is to admit all persons who test positive for COVID-19 into designated accredited treatment facilities to contain the spread of the virus and ensure prompt management to forestall complications. I urge all individuals who test positive for COVID-19 to report at any of our designated isolation and treatment centres. The FMoH must be able to account for all infected persons and ascertain containment of the infection. States are strongly encouraged to ensure that all persons who test positive for COVID-19 are admitted at the designated centres and ensure the public suffers to hazard from choices individuals make. The Federal Ministry of Health can assist all persons seeking privacy, security and anonymity to find the best treatment.
7.TRACE:
Contact tracing is key to containing the infection. As persons are confirmed positive for COVID-19, we trace all contacts they had in the preceding 14 days. This is a tedious and meticulous activity for which the cooperation of the public is always sought. The Nigeria Centre for DiseaseControll has finalised contact tracing guidelines with all states to actively aid case finding.
8.ISOLATE:
The other key factor in our response is where capacity is needed after positive testing. It is to isolate and treat all persons found to be positive for COVID-19. Especially challenging are persons who test positive but have mild or no symptoms, but are infectious to others. These persons make up the majority of COVID-19 cases in Nigeria, and must be referred to isolation and treatment centres with accredited infection prevention and control protocols. Failure to isolate such persons constitutes a risk to society but also to the individual himself, since his condition could change suddenly. Infection can persists in the community and transmission continue if such persons continue to mingle in society.
9.I applaud our health workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government will continue to provide you with the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) and I urge you to take all necessary precautions for your own safety. Please do not treat any patient without using adequate PPE, frontline health workers must undertake refresher training on IPC. This warning has become necessary due of the number of health workers who have tested positive for COVID-19 or been quarantined in the last 2 weeks due to exposure. Remain vigilant in the line of duty and maintain a high index if suspicion for COVID-19.
10.Citizens are again reminded to use a mask or face covering when you leave your residence, practice hand and respiratory hygiene, physical distancing and to avoid mass gathering and non-essential travel. Individual actions will determine the success of the actions being taken by government, stopping the spread of COVID-19 is a collective effort. If you suspect you or anyone around you may have COVID-19, call the toll-free NCDC number 0800 9700 0010.
11.Resources and real time information can be found on the social media handles of FMoH and NCDC, the FMoH website and the NCDC COVID-19 microsite covid19.ncdc.gov.ng. Stay home, stay safe, and take precautions.
Thank you.
