COVID-19: We’ll Continue With Lockdown, Social Distancing To Avert Community Transmission — Ikpeazu

Following the record of 2 COVID-19 index cases in Abia State on Monday, the state governor, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu has expressed concern over a possible community transmission of the virus, saying the state will continue with its lockdown and social distancing, while contact tracing continues in the state, ABN TV reports.

Ikpeazu made this known during a media briefing in Umuahia on Tuesday on the index cases in the state, stating that the two patients are old (70 and 72 years old respectively) and have no previous history of travel in the recent past.

He also disclosed that the state has provided 2 isolation centers in Aba and Umuahia with a combined capacity for about 50 patients, saying there is an additional facility at Federal Medical Centre (FMC).

According to the Governor, the state has trained all its front line officers down to the Primary Health Care (PHC) level and has also provided 6 state-owned ambulances.

He emphasised that the state has provided ventilators, oxygen concentrators, patient monitors and more than enough Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to tackle COVID-19 in addition to the ban in public gatherings and eventual lockdown.

“This morning, we have dispatched our officers on rigorous contact tracing exercise.

“We must thank and encourage our front line officers who put their lives at risk for the sake of all of us. They have previously followed and tracked all previously reported cases, ‘Miracle’ was tracked and tested with negative results. ‘Prosper’ was also apprehended and tested and it turned out negative, among many more already tested.

“The days ahead will be difficult and calls for more courage and commitment in the hands of our front line officers and all citizens.

“Government will continue to provide all the PPE required to protect our medical and paramedical personnel. We are sending a consignment of additional PPEs and other materials to support the Federal Medical Center ( FMC), Umuahia

“Government will insist that all borders shall remain locked till further notice.

“All our citizens should remember that wearing of face masks in Abia is compulsory.

“Government will encourage all citizens to continue to practice social distancing and strict rules of handwashing as well as use of sanitizers.

We shall embark in massive contact tracing across all the LGAs where these index cases have been associated within the recent past. Hence, Ikwuano, Ukwa West and Umuahia North will be covered during this contact tracing.

“The private clinic where one of these patients was treated is hereby closed to the public until properly disinfected while all the doctors and nurses who attended to them still remain quarantined until the result of their tests is out.

“The state shall embark on massive community testing drawing samples from ward to ward even in local governments that are remote to the target LGAs and the details will be announced.

“It is important to note that both patients had underlying medical conditions ranging from Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Stroke and Heart failure. However, we are optimistic that our medical team and the team at FMC are capable of doing a good job, God helping them.

“Finally, Ndi Abia, let’s take heed. Remain at home” he concluded.