Covid 19 report for 22nd May,2020

May 22: 7,016 cases, Eid uproar, more evacuations expected

The case count has passed the 7,000 mark reaching 7,016 according to stats as of close of day May 21. Level one of eased lockdown remains in place according to National Coordinator of the presidential COVID-19 Task Force.

Meanwhile, the subject of easing restrictions on gatherings in some northern states took a new dimension after the leader of Muslims – the Sultan of Sokoto – urged faithful to observe the Ed prayers at homes.

Whiles Kano, Katsina, Bauchi and Jigawa are on record to have eased restrictions which means people can attend public prayers whiles observing safety protocols, in Kaduna State, the government has kept in place stay away orders.

During the daily briefing on the national situation, Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama announced that more evacuation plans were underway. He reiterated that so far returnees have arrived from the UAE, UK, US and more recently Saudi Arabia in that order.

“We’re coming to end of 14-day quarantine for first and second batches of Nigerian evacuees. Some of them need to travel across State lines to get home. I spoke to Inspector General of Police and he has directed ComPols in Abuja and Lagos to give them personalised passes for travel,” he added.

Total confirmed cases = 7,016 (new cases = 339)
Total recoveries = 1907
Total deaths = 211
Active cases = 4,898

Figures valid as of close of day May 20, 2020

May 21: 6,677 cases, northern governors express concern

The Northern Governors Forum, NGF, has expressed concern over the infection rates ofCOVID-19 across the region. That 54% of national tally and 70% of new infections are in the region was a cause for concern during their virtual meeting on Wednesday.

The issue is further exacerbated by incidents of violent and deadly crime across some states including terrorist violence in Borno, banditry in Katsina and other areas.

“The NGF has acknowledged and appreciated the intervention of the federal government following their request to President Muhammadu Buhari for the deployment of more security personnel to the region to tackle banditry, kidnapping, insurgency, and other crimes which are threatening livelihoods and preventing farmers from going to their farms,” chairman and Plateau State governor Simon Lalong said.

Touching on the issue of young boys sent across states to unregulated Islamic upbringing centers, the governors agreed that all instances of sending such kids to home states should be done following laid down protocols from profiling through testing till responsible handover.

The almajiris have become a hotspot for infection after a number of them tested positive in recent weeks. NGF also agreed to purchase of mobile testing vans to boost testing especially in rural areas.

Meanwhile, there is strong misgiving over decision of some states to allow congregational prayers, principally Kano, Bauchi and Katsina. The reprieve comes with days to the post-Ramadan Eid celebrations.

Social media users are lambasting state governments who they insist are by their actions endangering the lives of ordinary citizens. They cite rising cases as enough reason to keep stay away orders in place.

Total confirmed cases = 6,677 (new cases = 226)
Total recoveries = 1,734
Total deaths = 192
Active cases = 4,475

 Calculuslum Reporting