By Ishaya Ibrahim
Following the confirmation of one case of the Coronavirus disease (Covid19) in Lagos by the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, has ordered the activation of all health platforms to protect Imo citizens against the dreaded disease.
In the same vein, the Edo State Government on Friday step-up measures to sensitise residents to check the spread of the virus.
The Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Patrick Okundia, addressing journalists in Benin City, said the state government had already put measures in place to check the spread of the novel coronavirus fever.
Okundia noted that following the news of the reported case of the coronavirus in Lagos and to check the spread of the viruses, the state government through the Ministry of Health “sent a team to the Benin Airport to get information on the manifest of the airline that brought the Italian to the country.”
He explained that the government is also sensitising staff of the Benin Airport on the screening modalities for air travelers, adding, “There are ongoing awareness creation and sensitisation campaign on the novel coronavirus in various news media as well as sensitisation of healthcare workers across the health facilities in the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Edo State.
“Surveillance officers have been placed on red alert to carry out Active Case Search in all health facilities as well as all points of entry to the state which include the Benin Airport and various motor parks.
The commissioner added, “To reduce the risk of spread of coronavirus, members of the public are advised to adhere to the following measures: wash your hands regularly with soap under running water; cover your mouth and nose properly with handkerchief or tissue paper when sneezing and/or coughing. You may also cough into your elbow if a handkerchief is not available.
“Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing; avoid self-medication, and report to the nearest health facility when you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms. Healthcare workers are always advised to observe standard infection prevention and control measures when attending to patients and take a travel history,” he added.
Okundia urged residents to remain calm and shun rumors on the spread of the coronavirus, noting that the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital was listed among other Corona Virus Testing Laboratories in Nigeria; which include the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and the NCDC National Reference Laboratory, Abuja.
He advised residents to contact the Director of Disease Control on 08084096723; State Epidemiologist on 08064258163, Acting State DSNO on 07015216386, and the WHO State Coordinator on 08035835529, for more information
In Imo, a statement by the Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser to Governor Uzodinma, Mr. Oguwike Nwachuku, “As a result of the Governor’s directives, Imolites are assured that the health system has enough capacity to promptly diagnose the disease.”
The statement however advised the citizens avoid crowded locations, observe cough etiquette and regular washing of hands with sanitizers.
It also enjoined the people to report any suspected case to the nearest health facility.
“As part of measures to contain the disease, the Imo State Ministry of Health, through the Public Health Department and the Primary Healthcare Agency has instituted robust emergency response measures with the procurement and pre-repositioning of personal protective equipment, enhanced border surveillance, community awareness and mobilization, distribution of hand sanitizers together with clinicians/other health workers sensitization.
“The measures which the Imo State Government has taken will complement the precautions already announced by the Health Minister which include: Staying informed on the latest developments on COVID-19 through official channels on television and radio stations, and to be wary of unfounded information on social media that are designed to cause fear and panic,” Nwachuku said.