The only confirmed Coronavirus (COVID-19) case in Rivers state has tested negative in the first test conducted as her treatment continues.

Governor Nyesom Wike disclosed this on Sunday in Port Harcourt following inspection of the state’s isolation/treatment center and a Food Bank established to share palliatives to cushion impact of the sit-at-home order over the pandemic.

He said, “For now, we are not hundred percent ready, but we are about 90 percent ready. Luckily for us, we have no serious cases.

“The confirmed case is doing very well. They have sent her samples and it came out negative. The final sample has been sent and we are expecting the results.

We have visited to see the readiness of the isolation/treatment centre in Port Harcourt. Though they failed to deliver the job on Saturday as promised, we are confident in the next four days, it would have been completed.

“We are doing quite well. All members of the security council are working together to ensure that we prevent the spread of Coronavirus.”

On the food palliative, the Governor, accompanied by other members of the Taskforce on Enforcement of the ban of public gathering, said a committee would be set up to implement the distribution of the foodstuffs.

He said, “We inspected where we kept the relief materials for our palliatives programme to ensure we mitigate the impact of the sit-at-home directive.

“We are going to set up a committee for the distribution of the foodstuffs meant to serve as a palliative for Rivers people.

The Food Bank is stocked with rice, garri, beans, noodles, yam, palm oil and salt to be distributed to less privileged in all 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers.

Governor Wike warned, “This is is not a time to play politics. Nobody should play politics with the lives of people. Everybody has to make sacrifices to make sure everyone stays alive.

“We are happy with the level of compliance on ban on public gatherings we have seen throughout Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas. The churches complied.”

The Wike headed Task Force monitored compliance at Omega Power Ministries, Saint Patrick’s Anglican Church, Rukpokwu and Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Chaplaincy, Catholic Institute of West Africa, Rumuibekwe.

As at 11:15 am 5th April there are 224 confirmed cases of #COVID19 reported in Nigeria. Twenty-seven have been discharged with five deaths.

As at 11:15am 5th April, there are

As the nation remains in lockdown in prevention of the spread of coronavirus, there was suspicion in Abia state few days ago about the status of a lady said to be coughing in Umuahia, the state capital.

The state Commissioner for Information, John Okiyi Kalu in clarifying the status of the lady in a statement on Sunday said she is negative.

“The sample of the Umuobasi Street, Umuahia, woman sent to NCDC for testing has returned and it returned a negative result.

“The pleasant implication of this is that as at today, there is no confirmed case of COVID-19 in Abia State.

“To GOD be the GLORY!” he said.

He also appealed to Abians to continue to observe the measures that will prevent the outbreak of the disease in the state, warning that those not on essential duty should remain in their homes.

“Let all hands continue to be on deck to stop this virus from coming to our state. Wash your hands regularly, maintain the recommended social distance and, please, stay at home. If you suspect that you or anyone known to you may have contracted the virus, please call 0700 2242 362 and we will take it up from there.

“If your job is to enforce stay at home order or protect our borders, please don’t take blood money by doing the wrong thing. If you are not among those exempted from movement, stay at home to avoid unnecessary harassment by enforcers.

“We know that this lockdown period is not easy on our hardworking people but it is a necessary sacrifice we all must make to stop this virus from ravaging our people. Make the sacrifice so that all of us will be alive to celebrate God’s faithfulness.

“Soon, the government will deliver palliatives to vulnerable persons in our communities but whatever the government will do cannot be enough for everyone that needs help. Be your brother’s keeper by sharing food materials with those around you.

“Together, we will win this war against Coronavirus” he concluded.

The Consul General of Nigeria in New York, Mr. Benaoyagha Okoyen, has confirmed the death of three Nigerians from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the United States.

Okoyen made the announcement in a statement in New York on Saturday evening.

He said one of them, a doctor from Abia, contracted the virus while on duty in New York, the epicentre of the pandemic in the U.S.

The envoy identified the second person as 25-year-old Bassey Offiong, a final year Chemical Engineering student of Western Michigan University whose case has been reported by the Nigerian media.

Okoyen said: “It is regrettable to announce that three Nigerians have died of COVID-19 in the United States of America.

“The first case was a 60-year-old lady, Hajia Laila Abubakar Ali of Kano descent, who died on March 25, while receiving treatment at the Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx, New York.

“Secondly, 25-year-old Bassey Offiong from Calabar, a final year Chemical Engineering student of Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, died on Saturday, March 28, at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak.

“Unfortunately, the last case was a medical practitioner, Dr. Caleb Anya, from Ohafia in Abia State.

“He died while rendering service to humanity on the forefront of the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic in New York on April 1.

“On behalf of the Consulate General of Nigeria in New York, I wish to extend our condolences to the families of the deceased Nigerians in this tragic circumstance.’’

The consul general saluted the sacrifice of medical personnel and other essential workers risking their lives on the frontline to save others.

“We are particularly very proud of Nigerian medical professionals in the USA who form part of the incredible workforce in the service of humanity at this time,’’ he added.

NAN