The Federal Government has on Thursday extended the second phase of the eased lockdown by one month.
Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 pandemic declared this in Abuja during the Task Force’s media briefing.
Mustapha said the Federal Government, through the Task Force, would engage more with the states and council areas to improve community sensitisation.
According to him, the states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), would be tasked on the enforcement of non-pharmaceutical interventions, particularly wearing facemasks in public places.
Mustapha said: “After due consideration of the recommendations, Mr President approved the following: maintaining the current phase of the National Response to COVID-19 for another four weeks in line with the modifications reflected in the Report.
“Encouraging State Governments to collaborate with Local Government Authorities to intensify necessary measures such as contact tracing, grassroots mobilisation and risk communication; and strengthening of collaboration with other mandate groups at Federal/State levels to harmonise the country’s COVID-19 response, on the short, medium and long-term basis”, he said.
On the activities of the PTF, Mustapha said: “Domestically, in the last month, the number of states with over 1000 confirmed cases increased from 4 to 10 and the FCT. While Nigeria has conducted 43% more tests in July than was done in June, the positivity rate has also decreased – showing the progress made in access to testing.
“Likewise, our case management efforts have also seen a reduction in the fatality rate from 1.9% in June to 1.7% in July. Community transmission is increasing, as reflected in the fact that 536 Local Government Areas – 69% of the total – have reported a COVID-19 case.”
