It emerged on Thursday that the federal government may have started a crackdown on private hospitals treating COVID-19 patients in the country.

Apprehensive that Nigeria was experiencing an influx of imported COVID-19 cases into the country by travelers, including returning Nigerians, the federal government had last month warned private hospitals against treating cases of coronavirus, saying it was highly contagious and very risky to their medical personnel and other patients.

Instead, it advised private hospitals to refer any suspected case of coronavirus to the designated centers for diagnosis and treatment.

In a concerted effort to deal decisively with erring private hospitals, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 had been mandated “to constitute a crack team made up of joint security operatives to monitor private health facilities admitting coronavirus patients for treatment.

“Members of the crack team which has since commenced operation are working clandestinely as undercover operatives so that the private facilities would not identify them and conceal their illegal handling of coronavirus patients”, a source close to the PTF who did not want his name in print told our correspondent.

Confirming this, minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, yesterday threatened that private hospitals and medical practitioners engaged in unauthorised treatment of COVID-19 patients of risk being shut down for decontamination.

“I shall use this opportunity to again strongly advise health professionals against private or secret management of people who have COVID-19 outside of accredited health facilities”, the minister warned during yesterday’s briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID 19.

Ehanire also hinted that due to the available evidence of community transmission in the country, there will be more community testing.

He said there will also be social mobilisation at the grassroots to ensure physical distancing and advisories on the use of masks or improvised face coverings like handkerchiefs or scarves over the mouth and nose to reduce risk of transmission.

“Again, the revised case definition for testing includes all patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, contacts of people confirmed to have COVID-19, persons with fever and respiratory tract symptoms of unknown cause,” he explained.

On confirmed cases, Ehanire said, “As of today, 16th April, 2020, a total of 407 people have been confirmed to have COVID-19, 99 patients have been discharged and 12 deaths have been recorded in Nigeria, all with comorbidities.

“The 34 new cases confirmed are distributed as follows: 18 in Lagos, 12 in Kano, 2 in Katsina, and 1 each in Delta and Niger States. Quite unfortunately, the latest fatality in Lagos is a medical professional. I want to express my condolences to the family.”

Similarly, Osun State government has again warned that private hospitals in the state are not allowed to admit and treat suspected or confirmed coronavirus patients, saying anyone that flouts the order would be prosecuted.

The commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode, who gave the warning on Thursday, maintained that non-adherence to the directive would attract prosecution by the state government.

Egbemode said that the state government has accredited health facilities with required personnel to treat suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients in the state.

She noted: “The State Government of Osun has reiterated that private hospitals across the State are not allowed to treat COVID-19 patients, whether suspected or confirmed.

“The state has recognised, accredited and adequate Government facilities with the required personnel to take care of patients, whether suspected or confirmed, at its Isolation and Care Centres. Testing and treatment are free in all government facilities.”

The commissioner further noted that attempt to treat COVID-19 patients in private facilities would only open the state to community infections and negate all the sacrifices people of Osun had made so far.

FG raises daily testing capacity to 3,000

Meanwhile, the federal government announced yesterday that it has raised the national testing capacity of COVID-19 3,000 per day.

The minister of Health, Ehanire, who gave the hint during the PTF briefing said, “The national testing capacity has been increased to 3,000 per day in 13 molecular laboratories nationwide activated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The target this week is to significantly increase the national testing capacity further. Two more laboratories are scheduled to come online in Borno and Sokoto States.

“The states have been supplied sample collection kits and are encouraged to develop innovative methods to improve testing capacity such as engaging the private sector to outsource and diversify sample collection sites and improve logistic support.”

Ehanire regretted that the COVID-19 outbreak has provoked social stigma and discrimination against anyone thought to have been in contact with the virus as well as people of certain backgrounds.

He cautioned that this could cause a situation whereby the virus is more likely to spread and increase the difficulty of controlling the pandemic.

The federal government also urged Nigerian tailors to start using the country’s local fabrics to mass produce face masks.

Secretary to the government of the federation, Boss Mustapha, who made the call during the daily briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 in Abuja noted that there were insufficient face mask in the country.

Mustapha who is chairman of the PTF said, “It is critical to repeat, however, that compliance with the advisories for personal hygiene, social distancing, restriction of movement, early reporting of symptoms and wearing of masks regularly, especially in public, remain the best measures for the prevention of infections and to slow down the spread.”

He also appealed to Nigerians to take responsibility and play their roles properly.

The SGF further urged Nigerians to exercise patience in communicating with the Law Enforcement Agents assigned to ensure compliance with the presidential orders.

“As we all know, we were in a state of war against an invisible enemy. Let me also advise that whenever you are outside the confines of your homes, make sure it is for very legitimate reasons covered by the exemption or within the hours relaxed for the purchase of basic items. Similarly, you should carry with you a valid means of identification,” he said.

Fleeing Kaduna index patient recaptured

Meanwhile, a COVID-19 patient who tested positive to the virus and attempted to flee from an isolation center in Kaduna State has been recaptured by a gallant officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Announcing the development yesterday, media assistant to the Commandant-general of the Corps, Ekunola Gbenga, in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP Friday said, “The gallant officer in question is Corps Assistant Joshua Philip who was posted to Infectious Disease Control Centre, Down Quarters, Kaduna South to provide security services in and around the isolation centre”.

Gbenga, while noting that the patient had been apprehended and returned to the facility, noted that that the COVlD-l9 victim attempted to escape from the center for morning prayers without the authorisation by doctors, adding that a confrontation ensued between him and the corps personnel.

He continued: “Despite confronting him, the patient forcefully picked the keys of the gate of the isolation center and tried to open the gate to escape but met stiff resistance. The patient was immediately arrested by Officer Philip who later drew the hospital attention to the development.

“The COVID- 19 index is said to have engaged our officer, Joshua Philip in a serious fracas after he stopped him from leaving his quarantine ward at the isolation center. This exposed the officer to the patient of the COVID-19.

“The keys were immediately disinfected despite that the doctor gave the personnel some drugs; he was instructed to self-isolate for two weeks and to call the centre if he develops any symptom”.

The Corps has since strengthened its security measures in the internal isolation centre.

Govs set up infection prevention, control committee

Meanwhile, in a bid to flatten the curve of COVID-19 transmission, state governors have resolved to set up infection prevention and control committees in their respective states to support the role of health workers who are at the frontline of the pandemic.

This is contained in a communiqué issued by the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) after their teleconference on Wednesday night.

Chairman of the NGF and Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, said the forum received briefing from the national coordinator of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Dr Sani Aliyu and the director-general of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, on activities of the PTF, including the current partnership with the Coalition against COVID-19 (CACOVID) to support states’ response to the pandemic through the delivery of essential health equipment and the distribution of palliatives to vulnerable persons.

According to him, members commended the Presidential Task Force and NCDC for ramping up the country’s testing and contact tracing capacity during the two-week lockdown period in many parts of the country, and called for greater collaboration with states who are the primary stakeholders of the COVID-19 response.

He said, “Governors are working to improve their logistical and operational efficiency for sample collection and care. Most States have established COVID-19 hotlines and will ensure that emergency services are integrated into the operations of their Task Force on COVID-19.

“Following a briefing from the CACOVID led by Messrs. Aliko Dangote and Herbert Nwigwe and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, on the delivery of healthcare equipment and distribution of palliatives to the most vulnerable persons across States, Governors commended the group for their commitment and collaboration on the COVID-19 response.

“Finally, governors recognised the importance of ensuring the continuous existence of businesses during the lockdown and will take necessary measures to support same”.

Lagos, Ogun, Bauchi discharge more patients

Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, disclosed yesterday that five more Coronavirus patients have been discharged from isolation centre in the state.

According to the governor, those discharged included three females and two males.

Sanwo-Olu said, “Dear Lagosians, Today, five more patients; three females and two males, have been discharged from the Mainland Infectious Diseases Hospital to reunite with the society.

“They were discharged having recovered fully and tested negative twice consecutively to #COVID19”.

Sanwo-Olu said the figure brought to 90 the number of patients successfully managed and discharged from the state isolation facilities.

“I appeal to residents to stay at home, practice Social Distancing and observe the highest possible personal and hand hygiene,” he said.

In the same vein, Bauchi State government has discharged three of its patients who initially tested positive for coronavirus.

With the development, the state has so far discharged four patients, the first being the governor of the state, Bala Mohammed.

The state deputy governor, Senator Baba Tela, announced this while briefing journalists at Government House Bauchi.

Tela who is the chairman of the State Task Force on COVID-19 and Lassa Fever said the remaining two patients will soon be discharged.

He disclosed the approval of N1.98 million for the procurement of virus transport medium in addition to the ongoing contribution from individuals.

The deputy governor also announced the closure of two Friday markets in an effort to control the spread of the virus.

On the fight against Lassa fever in the state, Senator Baba Tela said Governor Mohammed has approved twenty N25 million for the control of the disease.

The deputy governor further explained that out of the five remaining cases sent for reevaluation, two that have been in isolation were tested negative twice and will be possibly discharged soon.

“So, what we are saying now is that as at Thursday 17th, Bauchi state has only 2 cases on admission and one of them has done his 14 days and we will send his sample for testing, while the first testing of the second one came out negative and we are sending his sample for the second test after which he will be discharged if it turns out negative the second time”, he said.

He further explained that a total of 160 samples have been taken, adding that the state government is tracing over 400 contacts.

He also announced that First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has donated the sum of N500,000 to fight coronavirus while Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), State University Gadau donated hand sanitizers and facemasks as well as other personal protective gears to help combat the disease.

Also, the Ogun State government has discharged additional three patients out of the nine persons who tested positive for coronavirus since last February 28 this year when the state recorded outbreak of the pandemic.

This is coming just as the state government also revealed that the first state’s fully funded Molecular Laboratory in Nigeria has been installed in the state.

The state commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker disclosed this while briefing journalists in Abeokuta, the state capital, on the progress recorded so far in the war against the dreaded pandemic.

Coker, who explained that the three additional COVID-19 patients were discharged from one of the state owned isolation facilities said the figure brings the total number of discharged patients so far to six, adding that three more patients were currently being treated at an isolation centre in the state.

Mobile courts convict 20 for violation of lockdown order

Three mobile courts set up by the Federal Capital Territory FCT Administration (FCTA) to try violators of the lockdown order in the nation’s capital yesterday convicted no fewer than 20 violators.

The courts located at Mpape, AYA and Airport Road fined the violators between N1,000 and N5,000, while those with vehicles had them impounded and would only be released to them at the end of the lockdown after demurrage must have been paid.

The administration also indicated its readiness to clampdown on residents who usually engage in early morning fitness exercises, especially jogging around town.

Briefing journalists on the level of compliance with the sit-at-home order, chairman of the enforcement team, Mr Ikharo Attah, explained that the regulations were meant to control the spread of coronavirus in the territory.

“We have at least three mobile courts, and we are hoping to open more with the assistance of the legal unit of the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS). As of 1pm, we already secured 20 convictions, while two pleaded not guilty. We also arrested a man wearing a Police face cap, even when he is not a policeman. The man has been detained at a police station in Mpape”.

CAN asks churches to open food banks

Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kaduna State has called on Churches to open food banks to provide assistance to the needy during the lockdown period occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the Kaduna State CAN chairman, Rev John Joseph Hayab, the leadership of CAN in the state is not unmindful of what most members are going through during this time of lockdown.

He said although the situation was not easy, with obedience and strict observance of the laid down regulations of staying at home, washing of hands, avoiding large gatherings, ensuring social distancing and others as stipulated by the government and medical experts, the trying moment would soon be overcome.

He stated: “As a body of Christ, we should be seen to be exhibiting high sense of discipline and maturity by complying with the laid down measures initiated by those in authority for our own survival.

“While we remain obedience to constituted authority, we strongly implore us all to truly be our brothers’ keepers at this trying moment when many in our midst hardly have something to eat or feed their families.

“I therefore call on our Churches to please open Food Bank so that privileged members can bring food there to be shared to those who do not have so that they too will have something to eat.

“This call is in obedience to scripture in Acts 4:32-35 where all the believers then were one in heart and mind, having everything in common and bringing from their blessings to the church food bank so that there should be no one that is hungry”.

WHO confirms 17,000 cases in Africa

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has expressed worry over Africa’s fragile health systems as COVID-19 has now spread to nearly every country on the continent, resulting in nearly 17, 000 confirmed cases and about 900 deaths.

WHO Regional director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, in a statement, said 11 out of 17 countries with more than 100 cases of COVID-19 are in West and Central Africa.

He said, “We are working with the governments to better understand what is happening on the ground, but this is worrisome as countries in these sub-regions often have particularly fragile health systems.”

Speaking further, Moeti said crucial medical equipment needed to respond to COVID-19 was lacking in many countries, adding that WHO has been working closely with the World Food Programme (WFP), the African Union (AU), national governments and the Jack Ma foundation to make sure that vital supplies get to the people who need it most, especially front line health workers in Africa.

“In the past two days eight countries have received medical equipment. For countries to ramp up testing, tracing and treatment capacity, they need supplies and solidarity. There is enough personal protective equipment in this shipment to allow health workers from across Africa to treat 30 000 patients without putting themselves at risk.

New Chinese machine analyses 60 samples per hour

Meanwhile, China has created a machine which analyzes not less than 60 blood samples of Coronavirus disease within one hour.

The nucleic acid test kit produces results in 45 minutes and can be stored and transported at room temperature.

More than 600 patients have been tested with an accuracy rate of over 99 per cent. (Leadership)

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