One week after he was taken into the Protective Care Center, the Anambra Covid-19 index case is responding very well to treatment even as the first post treatment result from the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) returned Negative for SARS-CoV 2.
The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano who disclosed this in a statewide broadcast yesterday in Aguleri however said that following the standards which had been rigorously applied by NCDC since the outbreak of the pandemic in Nigeria, he would go for a second round of test before he could be conclusively declared negative while calling for prayers from the well-meaning citizens of the state for the case as he fights his way back from this illness.
He recalled that the medical team had successfully tracked 39 people who had direct contact with the index case, out of which 5 were in our Protective Care Center while the rest were quarantined at home.
He said, “The people in our Protective Care Center are stable and have shown no symptoms of the virus so far. Similarly, the people in Home Quarantine are being closely monitored in strict compliance with the WHO guidelines on Covid-19 containment.
“Meanwhile, 6 people out of the 39 contacts have tested negative for Coronavirus. These are people who met directly with the index case 14 days ago. Ndi Anambra, this is something to be cheerful about.
“Similarly, out of 20 samples tested for the virus from Anambra State so far, only the index case returned Positive. The rest are negative. Ndi Anambra, this result gives us enough elbowroom to fight this monster by adhering to the principles of Social Distancing, maintaining a thorough personal hygiene and obeying government directives and policies on the Covid-19 pandemic. I have no doubt that if we keep the rules, we shall be in good position to kick Covid-19 out of our dear state.”
The Governor further announced that the Anambra State House of Assembly had successfully passed the Anambra State Covid-19 law which had been accented to by him.
While thanking the residents of the state for taking the inconvenience created by the Covid-19 pandemic with calm dignity and complying with government directives in the past one week, he assured them that if they raise their level of compliance a little higher for the remaining week of the lock down and ensure that there was no new case of the virus among the, government would review the continued lock down of the state even as he urged them to keep their heads up and don’t relax their defence just yet.
He continued, “Ndi Anambra, experience has shown that the best defence against Covid-19 is eternal vigilance. The virus has a tendency to surprise people who lose concentration; and once it is allowed a room to flourish, it occupies space in full. Ndi Anambra, we cannot afford to lose concentration against Coronavirus.
“For this reason, we wish to re-strengthen the following measures we have adopted against it; 1. All boundaries with neighbouring states remain closed. Only vehicles conveying essential commodities and supplies are allowed to enter Anambra State after a proper check and confirmation by Security Agents.
“2. All inter-city/inter-community movements in the State (e.g Awka-Onitsha, Onitsha-Nnewi, Ozubulu-Ihiala etc) remain suspended. Ndi Anambra are strongly advised to stay where they are until the lock-down is over. For example, those in Awka should remain in Awka, those in Aguleri should remain in Aguleri, people in Nnewi should remain in Nnewi except when the movement is extremely necessary.
“3. All motor parks in the State remain closed.
“4. Food markets in Anambra State are to open only on Tuesdays and Fridays. Traders and customers in these markets must always maintain the principles of Social Distancing during the transaction process.
“5. The wholesale medical drug market (Ndi Ogbo Ogwu) in Onitsha is permitted to open only on Tuesdays and Fridays. Please note that any stores/shops located in the markets not dealing on food items or medical drugs remain closed. The security agents have been directed to ensure a rigorous enforcement.
“6. Commercial banks in Anambra State are encouraged to maintain skeletal services especially on market days.
“7. All farmers in Anambra State are directed to return to their farms with immediate effect. This is to allow them participate fully in the current planting season. I also wish to urge Ndi Anambra to return to the farms because that is the only way we can fend the impending hunger that Covid-19 has created.
“8. Ndi Anambra are encouraged to wear face masks whenever they step out of their homes for any reason, wash their hands regularly with soap for at least 20 seconds each time, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers, cough/sneeze into folded elbows and practice Social Distancing at all times.
“9. People on essential services e.g. Health workers, journalists, and factory workers producing essential commodities are not affected by this lockdown. Security agents enforcing the lockdown order should take note of this.
“10. Ndi Anambra are advised to contact the Anambra State Public Health Emergency Operation Center immediately (PHEOC) once they feel unwell. The PHEOC numbers are 08030953771, 08145434416, 08117567363, 08058967320.”
Photo: Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano.
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