The Edo State Government has revved up measures to curtail the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, visiting over 620 rural and urban communities for Active Case Search (ACS) activities, testing 2099 residents and contact tracing 1167 others who had various degrees of contact with confirmed cases.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Patrick Okundia, who disclosed this to journalists in Benin City, reassured that the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration remains committed to containing the pandemic in all communities across the state.
The commissioner noted that Edo has so far recorded 262 confirmed cases and 13 COVID-19 related deaths, adding that 69 persons who have tested negative twice to the virus have been discharged while 180 other patients are being managed at various isolation centres in the state.
According to him, while Edo State has recorded a total of 2058 suspected cases of COVID-19 in 17 Local government councils, the confirmed cases were recorded in 14 LGAs including Oredo, Esan West, Egor , OviaNorth East, Ikpoba-Okha , Uhunmwode, Etsako Central, Esan South East, Akoko-Edo, Esan Central, Ovia South West, Owan East, Esan North East and Etsako West.
Okundia, who warned residents against giving out wrong addresses and phone numbers during testing and screening, added that 17 confirmed cases are yet to be moved for treatment due to wrong addresses/phone numbers or lack of cooperation with surveillance/case management team.
The commissioner added, “The Edo State Government urges all citizens to comply with all guidelines aimed at ensuring the health and safety of all residents. Stay at home and observe social distancing and other precautionary measures against the spread of the disease, including regular handwashing with soap under running water, and use alcohol-based hand sanitisers. Cover your mouth and nose properly when sneezing and/or coughing. Also do well to report anyone with oversea travel history.”
