COVID-19: Nigeria’s total infections rise to 34,854, as PTF says ‘63% hand sanitiser in Abuja not registered by NAFDAC’

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported  595 new COVID-19 cases in the country as total infections from the virus rose to 34,854.
The NCDC made this known on its official twitter handle on Thursday.
The NCDC said that as at the July 16, 595 new confirmed cases and nine deaths were recorded in the country.
According to it, till date, 34,854 cases have been confirmed, 14,292 cases have been discharged and 769 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The health agency said that the 595 new cases were  reported from 24 states, Lagos (156), Ondo (95), Rivers (53), Abia (43), Oyo (38), Enugu (29), Edo (24), FCT (23) and  Kaduna (20).
Others were Akwa Ibom (17), Anambra (17), Osun (17), Ogun (14), Kano (13), Imo (11), Delta (6), Ekiti (5), Gombe (4), Plateau (4), Cross River (2), Adamawa (1), Bauchi (1), Jigawa (1), and Yobe (1).
The government  aimed to reduce fatalities by ensuring that those citizens defined as vulnerable to COVID-19 were offered protection by prioritising them for advice on non-pharmaceutical measures.
“Countries in the world, including the most liberal in Europe, are now making masks mandatory for people who use public transport and even outdoors and they are imposing a fine for non-compliance.
“It is, therefore, still important, for us not to give up, but to continue to practice these measures, especially using facemasks, physical distancing  and imbibing social courtesies like not sneezing or coughing into open space, but into a tissue,” it advised.
NCDC noted that as the numbers continue to rise in the phase of community transmission, Nigeria, like many other countries had hardly any other tool left, than to focus on the value of non-pharmaceutical measures for prevention.
It said that the vulnerable would also be prioritised for admission to observation or treatment centers, even if they do not yet have symptoms.
“In this regard, it does not help for anyone to continue to deny the presence of COVID-19 in our communities, or to test its virulence by engaging in risky behavior. The consequences can be dire,” it said.
The health agency urged all shops, businesses, service centers and places authorised to open to the public, to require that their customers and visitors use masks and adhere to these simple measures or else they should be denied entry.
“It is also important to state for clarity that masks must cover the mouth and nose, that a mask pushed under the chin is not effective and should not be under the chin for any reason.
”That  we need the mask most, when we are speaking, and it should therefore not be removed to speak, that wearing a face shield alone has not been proven to offer the same protection as a mask and should either be combined with a mask or totally left to healthcare providers, for whom they were actually intended,” it explained.
Meanwhile, the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has revealed that 63 per cent of hand sanitiser sold in Abuja have no NAFDAC registration.
The Chairman of the PTF and Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF Boss Mustapha, stated this while Speaking at the daily briefing of the PTF COVID-19, on Monday in Abuja, Mustapha said: “As part of the non-pharmaceutical measures, we recommended in line with global practice, the use of hand sanitiser. Ordinarily, that ought to stimulate local production because of increased demand.
“We regret to inform you that a survey conducted by the Nigeria Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), to check the influx of substandard goods into the market, revealed that 63 per cent of alcohol-based sanitiser in Abuja do not have NAFDAC registration numbers.
“There could also be similar situations around the country. The Hon. Minister of Health has consequently issued an advisory to the general public to procure their sanitiser and other pharmaceutical products from credible sources,” he said.
Mustapha equally appealed to the patriotic spirit of Nigerians and request that they should desist from manufacturing sub-standard goods, which could further endanger other unsuspecting Nigerians who innocently purchase them.
“Now is the time to turn adversity into victory by growing our entrepreneurial skills and industrial base.
“Let us find growth at the end of the pandemic. Today, we have been compelled to add the fight against fake products to our national response.” he said.
The SGF also frowned at violation of COVID-19 protocol at the airports by some VIPs and warned against such actions.
The chairman said “You will all recall that the Aviation sector reopened for domestic operations on 8th July, 2020. Dry runs were carried out and guidelines meant to protect all travelers were issued.
“You also recall that we identified and pleaded even before now, with certain classes of persons, particularly VIPs, to desist from flouting such guidelines.
“Unfortunately, we have received reports about violations by some dignitaries who failed to follow the protocols at our airports.
” We believe leaders must lead by example. In truth, as leaders and followers, we must change our behavior if we must overcome the pandemic.
“This virus does not discriminate by status, age, tribe, creed or colour. All we require is diligent compliance and vigilance”, the chairman added.