The Edo State Government has intensified sample collection and vaccination of residents against coronavirus (COVID-19), as part of efforts to contain the pandemic and ensure the safety of citizens.
The State COVID-19 Incident Manager, Dr. Andrew Obi, disclosed this during the daily virtual meeting of the State COVID-19 Taskforce, chaired by the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.
Obi, who noted that the state is recording impressive success on the campaign against the second wave of the pandemic, charged residents to continue to comply with preventive protocols to ensure that the state finally defeats the pandemic.
He said the state has vaccinated over 78 percent of its target population for the first phase of the vaccination exercise and continues to witness a progressive decline in active cases and case positivity and fatality rates, with a corresponding rise in recovery rate.
The Incident Manager said, in the last 24 hours, the state collected 222 samples and recorded three new cases, two recoveries and zero death, with seven active cases that are being managed at various isolation and treatment centres in the state.
Obi further disclosed that the three new cases include two Edo residents and one person from another state who is participating in the National Sports Festival, adding that 17 persons have tested positive from 11 states since the commencement of the games in the state.
The Incident Manager said the state has so far vaccinated over 32, 000 eligible members of the public, including healthcare workers, strategic leaders and other frontline workers, noting that mop up exercise is still ongoing for the first phase of vaccination in the state.
He however charged the elderly, frontline workers and other eligible members of the public to take advantage of the exercise to get themselves and their loved ones protected against the virus.
Noting that enforcement of the social distancing and compulsory use of facemasks guidelines are ongoing by the security pillar of the state’s COVID-19 Response Team, Obi urged citizens with COVID-19 symptoms to contact the Edo Emergency Operation Centre on this toll-free number: 08003625000 for assistance.
