FG denies report of Buhari coughing after CoS Abba Kyari tested positive for coronavirus, expresses challenges in contact-tracing

The federal government has announced that it is still tracing 4,370 people in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus in the country.

Lai Mohammed who disclosed this at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday March 26, stated that FG is not getting the support it needs in the fight against coronavirus from Nigerians.

The Minister who insisted that many Nigerians have been making “meaningless criticisms” instead of complying with the stipulated directives to keep themselves safe, pointed out that they’ve had challenges in contact tracing because some Nigerians who flew into the country gave fake telephone numbers and addresses, making it difficult for them to be traced.

He said;

“Let me say, without mincing words, that we are not getting the kind of cooperation that this moment deserves from Nigerians. Many are busy engaging in meaningless criticisms instead of complying with the stipulated directives to keep people safe.

“Some Nigerians who flew into the country from overseas filled wrong addresses and phone numbers in their forms, making it difficult to trace them when the need arises.

“Some Nigerians defied orders to stay away from large gatherings while some religious leaders willfully flouted the directives to ensure social distancing.

“The government is doing its best but we need the citizens to do their best too. We have now gone past the stage of persuasion. It’s time for strong enforcement.

“I want to say straight away that our strategy at containing this pandemic is working, but we still have a long way to go.

“We know our priorities and we know our challenges. We have taken very bold measures in stopping international flights into the country, and we hail the state governments that have take equally bold measures in their states, which include the closure of markets and the prohibition of large congregations.

“We have 4,370 people of interest whom we are tracing. We urge those who have had contact with suspected cases to immediately report to the authorities. We urge Nigerians to support the authorities in this regard.

“We are on the verge of reaching the level of community spread. We must stop this immediately or we will record exponential cases in the days ahead. There is no better way to say this.”

Also commenting on Buhari’s state of health, Lai Mohammed denied claims of President coughing persistently. He added;

“Mr. President is well and fully in charge of the country.

” Some have alleged that the President is coughing, it is fake news.”