The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by a new strain of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that has not been previously identified in humans. It was first reported to WHO on the 31st of December, 2019 in Wuhan, China.

Studies to date show that the virus is spread primarily through droplets in the air from an infected person coughing, sneezing or talking. It can also be spread by contact with a surface contaminated by the virus.

This is why we should avoid crowds and mass gatherings, avoid handshakes and hugs, wash our hands regularly with soap and water, and when in public maintain physical distancing and endeavour to wear a mask. As much as is possible, Stay At Home!

• Cough
• Fever
• Breathing difficulties

There is at this time no known or approved treatment, remedy, cure or vaccine for Covid-19. Kindly disregard all online and offline claims to this effect.

Also note that 80 to 90 percent of all patients will get better on their own, without treatment (or at best only the management of their symptoms), as their immune system successfully fights off the virus.

The HOME PAGE of this website is regularly updated with the relevant statistics.

Note that the first case of Covid-19 in Nigeria was confirmed on February 27, 2020

Testing is for persons who fit the National Case Definition for Covid-19.

The Case Definition is being reviewed regularly based on new knowledge of the disease. The current case definition is:

Fever or Cough or Difficulty Breathing

AND

EITHER OF

Have been in contact with a confirmed case

OR

Live in an area where confirmed cases have been recorded.

If you know anyone that fits this definition, contact NCDC or your State Hotline on the CONTACTS page of this website.

As of April 21, 2020, Nigeria has 13 Molecular Laboratories for testing Covid-19, at the following locations:

• Lagos State Biosafety Level-3 Laboratory
• Nigerian Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), Lagos
• Infectious Disease Hospital, Lagos
• University College Hospital Virology Lab, Oyo
• Defence Reference Laboratory, Abuja
• National Reference Laboratory, Abuja
• Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki [FETHA], Ebonyi
• Africa Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases [ACEGID], Osun
• Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo
• Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano
• University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), Borno
• Health officials are advised to call 07032864444 for sample transportation and related advice if they have a case that fits the national case definition.

As at Sunday April 19, 2020, Nigeria had done 8,003 tests. The numbers will be updated weekly – every Friday at 6pm – by the NCDC.

Check out the NCDC testing strategy document, here

Self-Isolation means strictly staying at home or a designated accommodation, away from situations or scenarios where you will mix with family members or the general public, for a period of 14 days.

Quarantine is Isolation that is supervised or enforced by the authorities.

Read the NCDC Isolation and Quarantine guidelines here

Anyone who has been in contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19.

The NCDC recommends the use of face masks as an optional additional layer in addition to other measures such as physical distancing, and hand and respiratory hygiene.

NCDC recommends the use of masks particularly while in public places. Masks are also recommended for older persons (>60) and persons with existing medical conditions like respiratory issues, and diabetes.

Medical masks should be reserved for Covid-19 patients and healthcare workers who actually need them. Everyone else should make do with simple cloth masks (made from cotton), and make sure to wash them daily using soap and warm water.

The Federal Government has instituted a lockdown in Lagos and Ogun States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to achieve the following:

• Slow down the spread of the virus by minimising contact and congregation of people
• Make it easier for contact tracing and active case finding to take place
• Enable the deployment of necessary infrastructure, personnel and protocols in readiness for any eventuality

All non-essential domestic travel should be shelved at this time. Many States have placed restrictions on the entry and exit of persons, in addition to the Federal lockdown that applies to Lagos and Ogun States and the FCT.

All local and international airports in the country are currently closed. The only flights being allowed are those that fall into the following categories:

• Flights deemed essential, which include the following:
• • Flights related to the Covid-19 response
  • Cargo flights
  • Evacuation flights for foreign nationals
  • Flights supporting the operations of the oil and gas industry

• Emergency medical flights, which must be validated by a Teaching Hospital

Note that all permitted flights must be pre-approved by the Federal Ministry of Aviation; the Ministry reserves the right to turn down any requests for flight approvals

The Federal Government is making arrangements for the evacuation of Nigerians who are stranded abroad and wish to return home. Contact the nearest Nigerian Embassy or High Commission to you for details. Note that the cost of the flights will be borne by the intending traveller, and that all persons arriving in Nigeria from abroad will undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine in a government Isolation Facility.

See the Government Palliatives page of this website.

• The Private Sector Coalition Against Covid-19 (CACOVID), led by the Central Bank of Nigeria, Access Bank, and Dangote Foundation, and which brings together several public-spirited individuals and corporate organisations.

Contact CACOVID: www.cacovid.org | 09045531044

• The Oil and Gas Sector Funding Stream, coordinated by the NNPC, and bringing together major players in Nigeria’s Upstream and Downstream oil and gas sectors.

Contact the Oil and Gas Stream:

• The United Nations ONE COVID-19 Basket Fund, facilitated and implemented by the UN system in Nigeria, through a Project Management Board comprising representatives of the UN system in Nigeria, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 Response, relevant Government agencies, and contributing donors. The Basket Fund will serve as a Financing and Investment Platform for the UN, other multilateral organisations, bilateral organisations, the private sector, foundations, and philanthropists.

Contact the United Nations Basket Fund:

The Funds being mobilized by each of the funding mechanisms are being managed independently by each of these funding mechanisms. CACOVID is managed by [name of organization, The Oil and Gas Sector Funding Stream is managed by NNPC, and the United Nations Basket Fund by a Project Management Board comprising of the UN System in Nigeria, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 Response, relevant Government agencies, and contributing donors.

All cash and cheque donations should be channeled through any of the funding Streams listed above.

No. None of the monetary donations will be made available to the Federal or State

Governments or the Presidential Task Force in cash. The Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 is equally not accepting or receiving any donations of cash or cheques from the private sector or from international donors.

Each of the funding mechanisms will make direct interventions in providing medical supplies, constructing, upgrading or equipping healthcare facilities and infrastructure, based on the needs and requirements submitted by the Presidential Task Force on behalf of Federal and State Governments.

The Task Force through its Resource Mobilization and Coordination Office will regularly make available to all existing and potential donors a comprehensive assessment of the specific needs and requirements of the various Federal and State Governments at the forefront of the response to COVID-19. This Needs Assessment will guide all donors & investors towards the most appropriate and efficient use of the funds donated. It will be the responsibility of the various Streams and their Oversight Systems to account for all

the Funds donated by and to them.

The only donations that the Task Force will receive on behalf of the Federal Government will be of equipment, essential supplies and technical support/assistance. Donations of this nature – equipment, consumables, etc. –have already been received from the Jack Ma Foundation, the United Nations, and others.

We advise that intending donors of equipment and supplies contact the Task Force’s Resource Mobilization and Coordination Office to request for the Needs Assessment, to ensure that only needed items are supplied, and that they meet required specifications and levels of quality.

Contact the Presidential Task Force:

The Permanent Secretary,
General Services Office,
Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,
Three Arms Zone,
Abuja.

Special Advisor – PTF COVID-19,
Resource Mobilization & Donor Coordination Office,
Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,
Three Arms Zone,
Abuja.

Email: ptfcovid19@osgf.gov.ng

Phone: +2348033143326, +2347037707334