COVID-19: FG Tracing 4,370 Suspected Contacts as Cases Surges

• COVID-19: FG Tracing 4,370 Suspected Contacts as Cases Surges

As the total number of confirmed cases surged to 65 in Nigeria, the Federal Government has said it is not getting the necessary support from suspected cases as it searches for 4,370 people that have contacts with index cases of the Coronavirus.

Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja while giving updates on the pandemic.

“We have 4,370 people of interest whom we are tracing, and we urge those who have had contact with suspected cases to immediately report to the authorities.

“We urge Nigerians to support the authorities in this regard, because we are on the verge of reaching the level of community spread.

“We must stop this immediately or we will record exponential cases in the days ahead,” he said.

The minister, however, noted that being positive to COVID-19 is not a death sentence, saying he sees no justification for people not coming forward for a test.

He added that some Nigerians, who came into the country filled wrong phone numbers and addresses in their forms, making it almost impossible to trace them when the need arose.

“We are not getting the kind of cooperation that this moment deserves from Nigerians.

“Many are busy engaging in meaningless criticisms instead of complying with the stipulated directives to keep people safe.

“Some Nigerians defied orders to stay away from large gatherings, while some religious leaders wilfully flouted the directives to ensure social distancing.

“The government is doing its best, but we need the citizens to do their best too,” he said.