…urges residents to turn out for screening
The Edo State Government has commenced fumigation and decontamination of homes and offices of confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) across six Local Government Areas of the state.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Patrick Okundia, who disclosed this in a chat with journalists in Benin City, said the move is part of measures by the government to prevent further spread of the infectious disease.
According to him, the decontamination exercise will take place in the homes and offices of the 17 confirmed cases recorded in Oredo, Esan West, Egor, Ovia North East, Ikpoba-Okha, and Uhunmwode LGAs.
The commissioner noted that while the state has recorded two deaths, seven of the confirmed cases have tested negative twice to the virus and have been discharged, while the eight active cases are being managed at various isolation centres in the state and are responding well to treatment.
Okundia, however, urged Edo residents to make themselves available for screening, which is currently ongoing in various centres across the state, adding that the screening exercise will help government ascertain the pattern of spread in order to enhance strategies at containing the virus.
He said, “As government intensifies efforts at curtailing the spread of this infectious disease in Edo State, we urge all citizens to abide strictly with government directives on social distancing, use of facemask in the public, regular handwashing with soap and running water or using alcohol-based sanitisers, cough etiquette and compliance with the stay-at-home order.
“As part of these efforts, we have commenced decontamination of homes/offices of confirmed cases in Edo; we have set up screening facilities (questionnaire-based) in six Primary Health Care (PHC) centres and 4 private health facilities in Oredo LGA, which are being scaled up across the 18 LGAs. We have also commenced mobile screening for residents across 12 wards in Oredo LGA; this is also being scaled up.”
“We appeal to everyone with symptoms of the disease to come for screening, testing and treatment as prompt detection and treatment increases the chances of survival. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, please call these toll-free lines that have been activated by Edo State Government for assistance: 08001235111 or 08002200110,” Okundia noted.
