By Hassan Zaggi
So far, 9,029 persons who are suspected to have had contact with Covid-19 cases have been traced, the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, has disclosed.
Ninety nine per cent of this figure, the Minister said, have exceeded their 14-day observation period.
Ehanire disclosed this at the daily media briefing organised by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Covid-19, in Abuja, Tuesday.
“We have made significant progress in contact tracing and have to date, followed up 9,029 persons of interest, 99% of whom have exceeded their 14-day observation period,” Osagie, said.
He further revealed that daily testing capacity of Covid-19 have been improved tremendously as a result of the activation of more Covid-19 testing laboratories.
The testing capacity, according to him, will further improve in the days ahead as his ministry has concluded arrangements to work closely with the private sector.
“We have increased daily testing capacity by activating more covid-19 capable laboratories and shall work with the private sector to outsource and diversify sample collection sites and also improve logistic support.
“Details of sample collection sites will be made known in due course. Increase in the number of discovered cases is the fallout of improvement in testing capacity.
“We are gathering more epidemiological information on coronavirus disease, such as understanding sources of new cases and planning new lines of action.
“We shall continue to aggressively pursue our policy to detect, test and isolate cases.
“We have early evidence of community transmission already, which reinforces the urgency of physical distancing, use of face masks, maintenance of hand and respiratory hygiene, as well as strict adherence to the lockdown measures and regulations as announced by President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday,” the Minister said.
