Abia Gov’t Discharges One COVID-19 Patient, Awaits Results Of 44 Others

The Abia state government has announced the discharge of one of the two confirmed patients of COVID-19 in the state as at about 4:35pm on Monday.

The discharge from the isolation centre according to the State Government came after the patient tested negative to the disease two consecutive times, adding that the other is in a stable medical condition.

In a release signed by the Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu on Monday, all the samples taken from contacts of the two index cases and sent to NCDC returned negative results, adding that the government is expecting results for 44 other samples sent for testing and will communicate the outcome once they return from NCDC.

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“Starting from this week, our Epidemiologists will commence active case search in all the LGAs in the state to ensure that no case in the state goes undetected.

“In order to avoid total economic collapse of the state with the consequent possible social structure breakdown, stakeholders in the state, including the clergy, medical experts, commercial transporters, civil society, and market leaders, met with the Governor and members of the state’s inter-ministerial committee on COVID-19 on Friday, May 1, 2020, and agreed on a phased relaxation of some of the existing prevention/control measures in the state as occasioned by the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country.

“While the dusk to dawn (6pm – 6am) curfew imposed by the state government has ended, the one ordered by the federal government (8pm – 6am) will become operative in the state and the rest of the country from Monday, May 4, 2020.

“Security agents and members of COVID-19 Enforcement Taskforce have been directed to arrest and prosecute anyone who leaves his/her house without wearing a face mask.

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“The closure of our boundaries with neighboring states remain in force till further notice.

“Vehicles that breach the curfew imposed by the federal government are to be confiscated and the passengers kept in quarantine at the nearest appropriate medical facility or handled as may be advised by members of the enforcement task force.

“Government has noted with dismay the unpatriotic activities of some traders who open markets at dawn to attend to buyers from mostly outside the state, with particular reference to Kent Street, Aba, Ariaria International Market, Asa Nnentu and Ohiya Spare Parts Market, and wish to warn those engaged in such practices to cease from it forthwith or face the full wrath of the law which will include the sealing of such shops.

“Henceforth, traditional rulers and village heads of boundary communities in the state that permit vehicles and persons from neighboring states into our territory will be dethroned and tried for beach of the state’s COVID-19 regulations.

“All schools in our state remain closed till further notice and parents/guardians are encouraged to be part of the education of their children/wards by preparing and connecting them to the ongoing “Radio Classroom” Program currently aired on BCA 88.1 FM Umuahia and Real 99.1 FM from 8am weekdays. We are making efforts to ensure that all private and government-owned radio stations in Abia State join this program to deepen the reach and ensure that we minimize the effect of the fight against Coronavirus on our top-performing school children.

“All transporters in our state are advised to abide strictly by the guidelines issued on face masks, sitting arrangements, and permissible number of passengers at every given time or risk the impoundment of their vehicles and prosecution of the drivers and passengers.

“All civil servants should await further guidance from the State Head of Service on date of resumption of work as well as associated conditions.

“All markets previously closed in the state remain closed until all formalities regarding the new operating rules are agreed to between the market unions and the inter-ministerial committee on COVID-19,” he said.