Coronavirus: Nigeria runs out of bed-space, says presidential task force

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) coronavirus has disclosed that there are lack of adequate bed spaces in isolation centres across Nigeria, explaining that, in view of this  about 80 per cent of cases are being managed outside the isolation centres designated for treatment.

Penpushing reports that, the National Coordinator of the task force, Sani Aliyu, made this known at the daily  briefing, affirming that, “I know about 80 per cent of those that are positive in the country are currently being managed outside isolation facilities. The availability of beds varies across states. Some states have a lot of capacity in terms of beds. I know Kano, Lagos have run out of beds, ” he said.

The Nigerian government through Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Chikwe Ihekweazu  had earlier hinted that the country lacks adequate bed spaces to accommodate coronavirus patients in isolation centres across states.

Penpushing further reports that, Ihekweazu, said the country was considering home-care treatment for the  patients, and to  free up isolation centres, the government said it may consider discharging coronavirus patients earlier than their required treatment and isolation period, even though they are still positive.

The government also said schools and hotels may be used as isolation centres for coronavirus patients if the need arises, while records have it that, as at June 10, a total of 13,873 coronavirus cases had been confirmed in Nigeria, while 4,351 patients have been successfully treated and discharged, as well as records of 382 deaths.

 Penpushing reports that at the briefing,  Ihekweazu disclosed that GeneXpert machines would be used to test for coronavirus  cases effective  from June 14,adding,“we are ready to do that GeneXpert labs in locations and will start functioning on June 14.

“We have been working hard over the last two weeks to distribute the cartridges to the first seven centres to train them to make sure they are ready and on the 14th they will start testing,” he said, and expressed disappointment on the poor turnout of test samples from all states in the country.

Penpushing also reports that, Ihekweazu pointed out that although the available laboratories could test up to 10,000 samples per day, adding that they were only working at about 10 to 20 percent of their capacity.

“Our labs are working at 10 to 20 percent capacity; we can test about 10,000 samples per day probably more if we had pushed hard. The labs are there, the samples are not coming in as sufficiently as we want. We have this weekend for every state to push harder,” he said.

Penpushing further reports, while speaking on  rising coronavirus cases, he said the development was not unusual but expected, due to the eased restriction of movement in parts of the country.

”As we have eased the restriction that we have instituted across the country, we have expected the numbers to increase. We have announced it several times to expect an increase in numbers. So, this increase in numbers is not unusual.

“As we increase testing and relax the lockdown, this is a virus that goes from one individual to the other, therefore, it is most likely that we will see an increase in numbers. Whether that increase continues or not depends on our collective action. Sometimes, these numbers are necessary to remind us of the reality, ” he said.