The Federal Government it is tracing about 4370 people who may have come in contact with coronavirus patients in the country.

In a statement on Thursday, the Minister for Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said, “We have 4,370 people of interest whom we are tracing”.

Mr Mohammed urged those who have had contact with suspected cases to immediately report to the authorities.

“We urge Nigerians to support the authorities in this regard,” he added.

The minister warned that the nation is on the verge of reaching the level of community spread, noting that if proper measures are not taken, then the nation will record exponential cases in the days ahead.

Mr Mohammed argued that the nation’s strategy at containing the pandemic is working, he, however, stressed that the country still has a long way to go.

While stressing that he does not mean to spread panic, the minister noted that bold measures have been taken and more steps of such nature need to be taken to ensure that Nigeria beats the virus.

The statement reads in part:

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.

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.