We have now reported over 100,000 confirmed #COVID19 cases in Nigeria
This is a stark reminder of the reality we live in now - a virus that has affected over 100,000 lives and led to over 1,300 deaths within 11 months in Nigeria...with millions more globally
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In the last 4 weeks, we‘ve recorded a spike in the number of new #COVID19 cases
The virus is spreading fast, causing mild symptoms in some & severe illness/death in others. Many people
continue to experience fatigue & other symptoms even after recovery
You can’t tell whether someone has the virus or not (so take protective measures at all times)
Health care workers need to now maintain a HIGHER index of suspicion for #COVID19
To the public, if unwell rule out COVID-19 before treating for malaria
We all have to #TakeResponsibility - this is not for NCDC, PTF or Govt alone
By organising large gatherings indoors, you’re not only putting yourself & guests at risk, but the staff who have limited choice but to serve
By going to clubs, you’re putting your parents at risk
Personal responsibility
We are reaching a critical level where our hospital capacity will no longer be able to cope with more serious COVID-19 cases & health workers will be forced to make tough decisions
The videos in the links below - independent reports from separate treatment centres in different states but the same message; #COVID19 is a deadly disease and while most people have survived, many have died
While we may all be tired & fed up,the virus is taking advantage of our fatigue & gaining momentum. By adhering to health measures, masks, handwashing, distancing, we can prevent its spread
Stay at home, avoid large gatherings & poorly ventilated indoor spaces
MOST IMPORTANT of all, the 100,000 cases and over 1,000 deaths are not just numbers
These are fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, children, friends whose deaths will be mourned & the pain of their loss deeply felt. The response starts and ends with the people of this country
We @NCDCgov are committed to going over & beyond, working with other government & private organisations in response to this pandemic
Testing remains free in public health labs, sample collection centres are being scaled up by State Govts & other measures
The last 4 days have been busier than normal for us at @NCDCgov
We‘ve been responding to our 1st #COVID19 case, & associated panic. One thing we’re grateful for, is that the structures we built in the last 4 years have enabled our response in last 4 days
Within 12 hours of the case presenting at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, we carried out laboratory tests, confirmed #COVID19 and issued a press release. Within 24 hours, we updated our advisory for the general public and other response activities
The 4 labs with the capacity to test for #COVID19 in #Nigeria are the NCDC Reference Lab & 3 other labs within our network of molecular labs
When #COVID19 started in China, we were able to set up testing in Nigeria in weeks, because we already had labs with required equipment
Since the beginning of the #COVID19 outbreak in China, our coordination in Africa has been anchored by structures developed by @WHOAFRO, @AfricaCDC & @OoasWaho
These institutions have created a platform for collaboration, data sharing, training & capacity building
Through @AfricaCDC, colleagues from Member States have been trained in various areas in the last one month:
*Laboratory diagnosis
*Infection prevention and control
*Point of entry surveillance
*Risk communications
The use of regional resources for these training is exemplary!
Last week, I was honoured to be part of the global research and innovation forum on #COVID19 convened by @WHO. The discussions we had and decisions made will be key in defining outbreak response activities now and in the long term
We held important, sometimes difficult but critical discussions to develop a plan that will enable the global community access to interventions for us to quickly control the #COVID19 emergency
I applaud @WHO’s role in bringing various stakeholders together to agree on science, especially in a field where there is a race for recognition & resources
We can mitigate the impact of outbreaks by adequately funding national public health institutes at all times
Like @DrTomFrieden says, we must move from being reactive to stable, substantial & sustainable funding for outbreak preparedness #NCDCSundayReflections
The 2017 Joint External Evaluation & the midterm assessment in 2019 in Nigeria, helped us assess our capacity to detect, prevent & respond to outbreaks
Importantly, it helped us identify critical gaps that exist. To close these gaps,we need increased funding for health security
Tackling emerging infectious diseases such as the novel #coronavirus, requires substantial investment in national public health institutes
During large outbreaks, the focus should be on activating these systems to respond and not on developing new systems
The Lassa fever virus is spread by infected rats. These rats are found nearly everywhere in our environment and are very difficult to eliminate
With infected rats and without a vaccine, our country and several others, remain at high risk of #Lassafever transmission
Over the last 3 years, we‘ve invested in our diagnostic capacity for #Lassafever
In 2016, we had only 2 labs in #Nigeria for #Lassafever testing. Currently, there are 5 molecular labs running at full capacity & providing testing for all states in the country. 1 new lab=N100M