Kunle Adelabu
In order to contain the spread of CONVID – 19 that is on the rise in the country, lockdowns in Lagos, Abuja and Ogun states will be extended for an additional 14 days, President Muhammadu Buhari said in an address to the nation on Monday.
According to the President, due to the rising cases of Coronavirus in the country, it had become necessary to extend the current restriction of movement in Lagos, Ogun States as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for another 14 days effective from 11:59 pm on Monday, 13th of April, 2020.
The President who acknowledged the sacrifices of the citizens for their support during the lockdown had on March 30 introduced the initial 14-day lockdowns in the three areas.
“However, I remain concerned about the increase in number of confirmed cases and deaths being reported across the world and in Nigeria specifically” he said in his nationwide broadcast this evening.
“On 30th March 2020, when we started our lockdown in conforming with medical and scientific advice, the total number of confirmed cases across the world was over 780,000.
“Yesterday, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases globally was over one million, eight hundred and fifty thousand. This figure is more than double in two weeks!
’In the last fourteen days alone, over 70,000 people have died due to this disease.
“In the same period, we have seen the health system of even the most developed nations being overwhelmed by this virus.
Mr President stated that cases of infected persons which was 131 in 12 states on March 30 has increased to 323 on Easter Monday spread across 20 states.
“Here in Nigeria, we had 131 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in 12 States on 30th March 2020. We had two fatalities then.
“This morning, Nigeria had 323 confirmed cases in twenty States. Unfortunately we now have ten fatalities. Lagos State remains the center and accounts for 54% of the confirmed cases in Nigeria. When combined with the FCT, the two locations represent over 71% of the confirmed cases in Nigeria.
He said that government will focus most of its attention on Lagos and Abuja.
“Most of our efforts will continue to focus in these two locations.
“Majority of the confirmed cases in Lagos and the FCT are individuals with recent international travel history or those that came into contact with returnees from international trips.
Buhari said that Nigeria have contain the spread of the virus by closing airports, land borders and introducing strict conditions on sea activities.
However, he was concerned with the spread of the virus in the country.
“By closing our airports and land borders and putting strict conditions for seaport activities, we have reduced the impact of external factors on our country. However, the increase in the number of States with positive cases is alarming.
Buhari in his broadcast charged to adhere strictly with social distancing measures as the virus is now spreading at community level through person – to – person contact.
“The National Centre for Disease Control has informed me that, a large proportion of new infections are now occurring in our communities, through person-to-person contacts. So we must pay attention to the danger of close contact between person to person.
“At this point, I will remind all Nigerians to continue to take responsibility for the recommended measures to prevent transmission, including maintaining physical distancing, good personal hygiene and staying at home.
“In addition, I have signed the Quarantine Order in this regard and additional regulations to provide clarity in respect of the control measures for the COVID-19 pandemic which will be released soon.
“The public health response to COVID-19 is built on our ability to detect, test and admit cases as well as trace all their contacts. While I note some appreciable progress, we can achieve a lot more.
He pleaded with Nigerians to ensure that they adhere with stipulated measures to avoid contacting the virus.
“Today, the cessation of movement, physical distancing measures and the prohibition of mass gatherings remain the most efficient and effective way of reducing the transmission of the virus. By sustaining these measures, combined with extensive testing and contact tracing, we can take control and limit the spread of the disease” President Buhari stated.
