The Nigerian presidential task force (PTF) on Covid-19 on Tuesday unveiled its new isolation centre and laboratory in Abuja's central business district. 

According to the Guardian Nigeria, the ThisDay Dome isolation centre has 300 beds for people in need of temporary treatment as well as an intensive care unit (ICU) to treat severe cases of Covid-19.

Chairman of the PTF and secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha said the state-of-the-art facility was made possible by multiple donors from the private sector and is being powered by Sahara Energy Group and ThisDay Media and Technology Group. 

He also urged all institutions, inventors and researchers from around the country in both the private and public sectors to come forward with ideas to contain the coronavirus pandemic. 

“The pandemic has overwhelmed even the best of health systems in the world, a development that serves all developing nations a powerful notice to wake up.

“This event signified the realisation of the synergy with the commissioning of the facility, which is designed to accommodate 300 beds and is scalable to 500.

“The speed and commitment demonstrated by the partners on this infrastructure is a call to other private sector entities to also get involved in the development of public facilities,” Mustapha said.

He said if the pandemic has taught the country anything, it is to develop, collaborate, build partnerships and plan for the future.

Mustapha added it would be up to corporate and public individuals to take up the challenge and provide critical support infrastructure in rural areas, as community transmission of Covid-19 has been rising in the country. 

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported 4,787 positive cases of Covid-19, with 959 people discharged and 158 deaths as of May 12.