With the steady rise in number of confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID) in Edo, residents have been urged to support the state government’s efforts at containing the pandemic by observing social distancing and complying with all directives against the spread of the virus, including compulsory use of facemasks and regular hand washing.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Patrick Okundia who made the plea while speaking to journalists in Benin City, said the state government has taken serious steps to contain the pandemic but residents needed to comply with all guidelines to remain safe and healthy.
Okundia said to be safe and curtail the spread of the virus, all citizens must observe all COVID-19 preventive measures including self-isolation, social distancing and use of hand sanitizers, among others.
According to him, “Edo has so far recorded a total of 2607 suspected cases of COVID-19 in 17 Local government councils and 341 confirmed cases recorded in 15 LGAs, including Oredo, Esan West, Egor, Ovia North East, Ikpoba-Okha , Uhunmwode, Etsako Central, Esan South East, Akoko-Edo, Esan Central, Ovia South West, Owan East, Esan North East, Etsako West and Etsako East”.
He said the state has also recorded 1296 line-listed contacts, 346 persons of interest (POIs) and 17 deaths with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 5.0 percent.
The commissioner reassured that contact tracing and line-listing activities are on-going in all affected LGAs in the state, while active case search and POIs tracking are ongoing in all the 18 LGAs.
He added, “The Edo State Government urges all citizens to complement the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration’s efforts to curb community spread of the virus by complying with all guidelines. 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.”
