Emmanuel Akosile | ConsumerConnect

Following the reported surge in Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Nigeria, with a warning that there might be a second wave of the pandemic in the country, the Federal Government has directed COVID-19 treatment centres across the country to prepare for reopening.

It is recalled that some of the centres were shut after the country recorded a decline in cases months back.

However, there has been a surge in COVID-19 cases, as the authorities are warning Nigerians that there might be a second wave of the pandemic in the country.

Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Honourable Minister for Health, at the media briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 Thursday in Abuja, FCT, said he had directed healthcare workers to be on red alert.

The Minister said: “We are seeing the increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the last few days, which we have frequently alluded to in recent times.

“This rightly suggests that we may just be on the verge of a second wave of this pandemic.

“Last week, we recorded 1843 against 1,235 two weeks before that and 1,126 the week before that.”

According to Ehanire, “in the past 24 hours, 474 new confirmed cases and 2 deaths were recorded, with an indication that this week’s figure will beat last week’s.

“As of today, we have crossed 70,000 mark with a total of 70,669 confirmed cases of which 65,242 have been treated and discharged.

“Sadly the number of deaths has now reached 1184 as against 1,167 two weeks before.”

He, therefore, advised that “everyone of us has a role to play in the effort to prevent the explosive spread of this infection in Nigeria.”

While we strive for the best, the Minister emphasised that we must prepare for a possible second wave which we must ensure does not get to be worse than what we have seen so far, judging from what we observe in other countries.

“To prepare ourselves, I have directed that all Isolation and Treatment Centres, which were hitherto closed due to reduced patient load, to be prepared for reopening and the staff complement put on alert,” said Ehanire.