To Eradicate Coronavirus In Lagos, We’ll Test, Treat, Trace And Isolate – Ehanire

FG has come out to say that Nigeria will not rule out homegrown vaccine towards the prevention and cure of coronavirus in the country.

The Minster of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire revealed this as he answered questions from Journalists at the Presidential task force on COVID-19.

According to him, the process of eradicating the virus in the state is test, treat, trace, and isolate, plus other factors might include surveillance, sample collection, and mode of transportation.

He added a robust sample transportation infrastructure is currently in place to promptly convey samples to any of the 13 laboratories activated so far in Lagos State.

His words, “Nigerians living in an area that has clusters of people who have the disease are eligible to be tested for the virus.

“The structure of the response, is: TEST, TREAT, TRACE AND ISOLATE for COVID19, the idea is to test people based on set criteria,”

“Today NCDC laboratories have capacity to test 1,500 samples per day in 13 laboratories across the country. However, we are testing on average of about 600 samples per day because that is all the samples collected and sent for testing.

“Factors implicated in the process may include surveillance, sample collection and mode of transportation, which can be improved to increase operational efficiency. This is where a little investment can help,”

“A robust sample transportation infrastructure in place, to promptly convey samples to any of the 13 laboratories activated so far.

“This mitigates the need for urgent establishment of a PCR laboratory, as well as the valuable time and personnel needed to prioritise case findings.”

“The recommended global best practice is to admit all persons who test positive for COVID-19 into designated accredited treatment facilities to contain the spread of the virus and ensure prompt management of cases to avoid complications,”

“This is a significant threat to public health and national security as the ministry cannot account for such persons and ascertain the containment of their infection.

“States are strongly encouraged to ensure that all persons who test positive for COVID-19 are admitted at the designated centres,”

“This aims to arrest transmission by corralling positive cases and potential cases before further transmission occurs. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had finalised contact tracing guidelines with all states to actively aid case finding.”