The Abia state government says it has noted with dismay that many citizens still leave their homes without wearing face masks, thereby exposing themselves to possible COVID-19 infection within this period of ongoing contact tracing of index cases.
To this end, the state governor, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu has deployed mobile courts to try such persons in accordance with the existing COVID-19 Prevention and Control Regulations of Infectious Diseases in Abia state.
The Governor in a statement made available to ABN TV signed by the Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu also announced that the index cases in the state, both of whom are above 70 years in age and with underlying medical conditions remain stable and responding to medical management procedures at Federal Medical Center, Umuahia.
According to the release, sample of the suspected case who lives off Ikot Ekpene Road, Aba, returned a negative result from NCDC testing center, as well as two other samples sent to NCDC from the State.
“We are expecting test results for 23 samples related to contact tracing for the index cases and will inform appropriately when available” he said.
He also added, “We have also observed the orchestrated attempts by unconscionable political actors from our state aimed at distracting the government from focusing on ensuring that we protect and save the lives of Abians and control spread of the coronavirus within our dear state at a time of such global health emergency as this and wish to assure the people that we will remain focused on the task of protecting and saving lives of Abians in this era of the pandemic, as always”.