Presidential Task Force reacts to rising cases of COVID-19 infections in Lagos
In picture above: FILE PHOTO – Lagos Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu speaks to passengers to enforce physical distancing in a bus as part of measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Lagos, Nigeria, on March 26, 2020.
Lagos and five other states have been put on red alert following the evidence of a “worrisome” rise in COVID-19 infections, according to the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.
Consequently, people have been urged to avoid large gatherings, and to hold prayers outside mosques during this week’s Muslim festival Eid-el-Kabir.
The head of the presidential steering committee on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, said the affected states are Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory.
A COVID-19 red alert means governments in the affected states must impose restrictions on celebrations and gatherings and keep them to a minimum.
According to Boss Mustapha, “These steps are critical as we begin to see worrisome early signs of increasing cases in Nigeria.”
He said that there was the risk of a wider spread of the virus during the Eid-el-Kabir gatherings and said Friday prayers should be held outside local mosques.
Mustapha also announced the suspension of the Durbar, an annual Muslim festival in northern Nigeria, marked by colourful horse riding events watched by large gatherings.
On Sunday, 18th July 2021, Lagos recorded 186 new infections, Edo (4), Oyo (4), Rivers (4), FCT (3), and Kwara (2).
So far, Lagos State has recorded 61,122 infections, out of which 2,151 are active while 58,515 have been discharged. It has recorded 456 deaths.
