Thread by @FMINONigeria

The #PTFCOVID19 Press Briefing for today has commenced.

You can watch live on NTA, TVC, Channels TV and online.

“This morning, Nigerians woke up to the stark reality that our confirmed cases of #COVID19 have crossed the 50,000 mark standing at 50,488 and a death toll of 985 bringing us close to the unenviable record of 1,000 fatalities.” -SGF/Chairman #PTFCOVID19 Boss Mustapha

“These records are not landmarks to be celebrated especially as every single death further underscores the grief and pains of families and friends,scuttled lives that could have contributed to national development and abridging God’s purpose for the lost soul”.-SGF, Boss Mustapha

“The corona virus continues to display unpredictable characteristics that show its relentless nature on populations that disregard common and simple protective measures. Such behaviour has been amplified in the surge in some states of the United States of America”. -Boss Mustapha

“So far, our National Response has shown that Nigeria is following the science through effective case management but need to improve our testing.”-SGF/Chairman #PTFCOVID19 Boss Mustapha

“Our testing infrastructure has been increased to undertake up to 15,000 tests per day but we are currently testing between 3,000 to 6,000 daily due mainly to people still not subjecting themselves for testing”. -SGF/Chairman #PTFCOVID19 Boss Mustapha

“I want to seize this opportunity to enjoin Nigerians to get tested”. -SGF/Chairman #PTFCOVID19 Boss Mustapha

“The challenge, therefore, remains for us to improve on the path of driving the pandemic out of Nigeria so that we can go back to our normal lives”. -SGF/Chairman #PTFCOVID19 Boss Mustapha

“We, want to thank the people and Government of the Federal Republic of Germany and also encourage our local manufacturers to rise up to the challenge and produce more PPEs of international standard”-SGF/Chairman #PTFCOVID19 Boss Mustapha

“As we further open up the aviation sector, with the planned operation of international flights from 29th August, 2020 beginning with the Nnamdi Azikiwe and Murtala Mohammed International Airports (NAIA and MMIA)...

... the PTF seeks the cooperation of all stakeholders to work at arriving mechanisms that would be mutually beneficial to all stakeholders.”-SGF/Chairman #PTFCOVID19 Boss Mustapha

In the words of the Director General of the WHO, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, “By working together, we are protecting each other. In a global pandemic, none of us is safe until all of us are safe”-HMOH, @DrEOEhanire

“Nigeria is also working with World Health Organization to finalize enrollment with ACT Accelerator, a global mechanism tracking and sponsoring research Organizations working on covid19 vaccine development.”-HMOH, @DrEOEhanire

“I shall end my speech today by reminding us all to take responsibility together, not only for today, but also for the days ahead, when the imperative to open our economy will demand great sacrifice and discipline from us all.”-HMOH, @DrEOEhanire

“The new normal may be demanding, but we all - government and citizens- must collaborate to halt the spread of this disease for each others sake.”-HMOH, @DrEOEhanire

“Global experience so far has proved that by following advisories and adhering to all the prescribed measures including appropriate wearing of face masks, physical distancing and respiratory hygiene, we can control the spread of this disease.”-HMOH, @DrEOEhanire

“The Health sector, on it's part, is continuing to strengthen itself as we develop new coping measures to counter the challenges we can see ahead:

from developing ambulance networks for patient transportation in case of emergency, to improving treatment options for COVID-19. Our objective remains to depress the case fatality rate.”-HMOH, @DrEOEhanire