BY SUNNY A. DAVID
Anambra State Government has confirmed the new case of COVID-19 in the State.
Governer Willie Obiano made the confirmation in a State-wide broadcast on Thursday night after a long-drawn-out meeting with COVID-19 Action Committee, at Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area.
The Governor, who doubles as Chairman of State COVID-19 Action Committee, said that the new case returned from Kano on May 6, after a short business trip.
He expressed regret that the case was able to sneak into Anambra from Kano, in spite of his efforts at tightening security at the State boundaries.
Governer Obiano said the COVID-19 patient was receiving attention in one of our Protective Care Centres in the State.
He called on Ndi Anambra to be calm, as COVID-19 Task Force was on top of the situation to ensure that this threat would be quickly contained.
The Chairman of COVID-19 Committee assured that his residence had been sealed off and had commenced aggressive contact tracing to minimise the wave of community spread that might arise from the current case.
“We have made adequate arrangements for containment of the pandemic. There is, therefore, no need to panic.
“I urge you to go about your business lawfully and in strict compliance to protocols of COVID-19.’’
These include regular washing of hands, wearing of face-masks when stepping out, regular use of hand sanitisers and adherence to principles of social distancing.
“I am sure that once we keep to these principles, it shall be well with Anambra State.
“We have received assurances that the two laboratories that had been earmarked for approval shall be approved to operate fully as COVID-19 Testing Centres from next week,’’ Governer Obiano stressed.
He said that a special training for professionals, who would work in the laboratories were currently ongoing in readiness for inauguration of the labs.
According to him, we have commenced aggressive case search in the 179 communities of Anambra State.
“This will help us to ramp up the numbers in terms of testing and ensuring immediate containment of any possible outbreak.
“We are also hopeful that when our laboratories become fully operational, we shall be able to conduct more tests,” the Governor added.
Governer Obiano emphasised that the Nationwide curfew must be strictly observed in Anambra State, ordering that there would be no vehicular and human traffic into Anambra State from 8pm to 6am.
This would include essential goods and services. Every movement into Anambra State must wait until the next morning.
