The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has revealed that 731 members of the National Youth Service Corps Batch B have tested positive for COVID-19.
The chairman, PTF on COVID-19, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, stated this at the national briefing on COVID-19 on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to him, in continuation of the NYSC engagement, the PTF has conducted the testing of Batch B corps members using RDTs. Out of the 35,419 in Batch B, 731 tested positive compared to the 108 recorded in Batch A.
“It is on record that cases were recorded from corps members from every state of the federation,” he said.
The PTF chairman said “there is also a rising rate of infections among healthcare workers and this calls for the escalation of surveillance.
“In Africa, Nigeria has joined South Africa in reporting the highest daily infection cases.
“As of date, the statistics for Nigeria shows the following: Cumulative cases – 91,351; Cumulative Tests – 958,911; Deaths – 1,318 and Week 53 recorded 57 deaths which is the highest for any single week since we started,” he said.
Mustapha further stated that “we are pleased to inform you that the private sector – CACOVID has commenced supporting our response with 100 oxygen cylinders per day, till the end of March 2021, for distribution to critical care centres in Abuja.