COVID-19: High-risk persons resisting hospital admission – Ehanire

The Federal Government has said that findings from Supportive Supervision of treatment centres shows that vulnerable and “at risk” persons, are among those reluctant to accept hospital admission, especially if they have no severe symptoms. The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said this on Monday in Abuja at the joint national briefing of the […]

The Federal Government has said that findings from Supportive Supervision of treatment centres shows that vulnerable and “at risk” persons, are among those reluctant to accept hospital admission, especially if they have no severe symptoms.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said this on Monday in Abuja at the joint national briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

He said that it is important to follow medical advice and comply with directives.

“The bed occupancy at our isolation and treatment centres is about 36 percent, so there is sufficient bed space to comfortably accommodate patients and we stand ready to redistribute from heavy burden to lower burden hospitals, if the need arises,” Ehanire said.

According to him, Nigeria has so far recorded 152,074 COVID-19 cases out of 1,489,103 tests and sadly lost 1,839 persons to the disease.

He lamented that on 21 February 2021, 521 new infections and 8 deaths occurred in 20 states.

He also noted that the sustained testing in states has decreased positively rate.

“This trend in reduction compares with global observations of seeming decline in COVID-19 cases, signifying that the second wave may be receding. We are, however, not drawing conclusions yet and certainly not declaring victory, but rather watching developments as they unfold nationally and internationally, ready to make use of comparative advantages that may emerge.

“We are intensifying the monitoring of COVID-19 positive cases, especially those that can self-isolate, by strengthening and improving the capacity of personnel, to manage home-based care. However, I emphasize that those on home-based care should report to their hospital or case manager, immediately they begin to experience symptoms, or feel their symptoms are getting worse,” Ehanire said.

The minister said that experience has shown that COVID-19 disease can deteriorate suddenly and rapidly, resulting in life-threatening severity, that could be managed if presenting early enough.

He warned that late presentation is a leading cause of increase in deaths.