Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ini Ememobong, has assured that the state has adequate facilities to contain the spread of coronavirus.
He was reacting to speculations that the state was witnessing rising cases in the second wave of COVID-19 and that some government officials were relocating to Lagos or Abuja, describing the claims as false.
He said the state’s isolation centre built during the first wave of the pandemic was not threatened, disclosing however, that state has 255 confirmed cases of the virus.
The commissioner, therefore, charged residents of the state to ensure strict compliance to COVID-19 protocols, as 255 persons had tested positive to the virus in the last few weeks.
He noted that the implication of the increasing cases was that the 300 bed space capacity isolation centre might soon be overstretched, but not threatened in any way.
Ememobong explained that the state isolation centre was relieved by the different models of home care treatments, which he said, was dependent on the severity of cases.
“The spread of the virus could only be curtailed if people strictly observe all the pharmaceutical measures including wearing face masks, washing hands regularly and observing social distancing.
“At the moment, I can confirm that we have 255 persons have tested positive to the virus but they are responding to treatment.
“The virus does not recognise the rich or poor in society and as such, it is not proper to assume that it infects some people and leave others. It treats everybody the same way. So, let us be careful to avoid contracting the virus,” he said.
Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports indicate that some members of the Akwa Ibom State Executive Council and Governor Benedict Ayade have relocated to Lagos or Abuja for fear of contracting the virus.
The Guardian also learnt that some of the severe cases have been sent to the isolation centre, while the less severe cases were being treated in their homes.
