Continued presentation of fake COVID-19 test results embarrassing – PTF
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Secretary General to the Federation/Chairman Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Mr Boss Mustapha.
The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 on Thursday expressed worry that presentation of fake COVID-19 test results by Nigerians travelling abroad tarnished the country’s image.
The PTF Chairman, Mr Boss Mustapha, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, expressed the worry at a briefing by the task force in Abuja.
He said: “It has become embarrassing to note that some Nigerians continue to present fake results when travelling outside the shores of this country.
This is as he said that the government is reviewing its strategy to emerging situations, on the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in risk communication, vaccine hesitancy, and fake news/disinformation.
“The share level of doubts about the virus is alarming and I call on every one to become advocates in support of the National Response,” Mustapha said.
He said that to overcome some of these challenges, the PTF will intensify the risk communication and community engagement to create awareness.
He said, “The PTF is working to develop new Health Protection Regulations to support existing COVID-19 protocols and to strengthen compliance with non-pharmaceutical interventions across the country.
By Olawale Ajimotokan
The Chairman Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Mr Boss Mustapha, has said that Lagos, Kaduna and the FCT are the new epicentres of COVID-19 infections noting that they account for over 70 per cent of national incidents.
He disclosed this Monday in Abuja where he issued a new COVID-19 advisory at a PTF briefing.
He noted that the FCT, despite recording an increase of 85 per cent in tests conducted over the last week, the number of confirmed cases increased by 285 per cent during the same period, adding the trends pointed to a higher Test Positivity Rate (TPR- the number of positive cases detected as a proportion of all tests).