Nigeria is currently witnessing a third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Minister of Health Ehanire Osagie.
Osagie, who made the announcement at the presidential steering committee’s COVID-19 press conference on Monday, August 1, urged for state engagement in sample collecting, reporting, and case treatment.
Only 17 states, he claims, submitted data or samples in the previous cycle.
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The Minister said;
“All data indicate that we are now no doubt in the third wave of resurgence of the SARS-COV-2 infection, which we saw coming long ago.
“I wish to use the opportunity to again solicit more participation of our states in the roles they have to play, at this very trying time, in sample collection, preparing Isolation and treatment centers and providing logistics for movement of commodities and patients and reporting to the various COVID-19 pillars.
“Only 17 states made data or sample submissions in the last cycle, where Lagos and Akwa Ibom States were the epicenters.
“The federal ministry of health is engaging resident doctors who have embarked on industrial action with a view to quickly resolving the issues. While this is ongoing, medical directors at federal and state hospitals are directed to ensure that service delivery is not disrupted in their centres.”
Ehanire also claimed that they are prepared to take cases in the event of a third wave threat, and that treatment centers have adequate beds and oxygen supplies.
The Minister, who asked Nigerians to enhance their adherence to preventive measures and report any symptoms of illness to a nearby COVID-19 center, stated that the majority of the deaths were caused by those who had not been vaccinated.
He also stated that they are working with resident doctors to end the strike, but that treatment of patients will not be harmed as a result of their absence.
