Presidential Task Force (PTF) has revealed that most COVID-19 deaths recorded in the country was as a result of reporting late for treatment.
Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire who said this during the briefing of the PTF on COVID-19 in Abuja on Thursday stated that some late coronavirus patients reported to health facilities when their conditions had worsened.
Ehanire stated;
As of this morning (ThursDay) the Federal Ministry of Health has recorded 56,604 covid-19 positive cases out of a total of 482,321 samples tested, giving a positivity rate of 11.7 per cent. 47,872 persons have been treated and discharged, but we have sadly lost 1,091 persons to the disease.
He stressed;
Our objective is still to lower the case fatality rate to less than one per cent, but an additional challenge we have observed is that most fatalities are among those reporting late for treatment, when their clinical condition has worsened.
The delay in deciding whether or when to go for treatment is what we must fight. I, therefore, renew my plea to all those who test positive, are 60 years or older and have underlying health conditions, to report immediately to a treatment facility.
As at Thursday night, Nigeria had 56,735 confirmed infections, 48,092 recovered patients and 1,093 deaths.
The Minister also called on members of Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) to;
Put the plight, safety and wellbeing of their patients into consideration, and to call off the ongoing strike, while differences are being addressed by negotiation.
Read Also: Joint Health Sector Unions Declares Nationwide Strike
Joint Health Sector Unions is currently observing industrial action which started on Sunday, September 13 following its deadlocked meeting with the Federal Government over unmet demands.
