Enugu unveils four isolation centres, plans others

To effectively combat incidences of COVID-19, the Enugu State government has unveiled four isolation and treatment centres, disclosing that it was planning to open other such facilities across the state.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi stated yesterday after an assessment of the centres that he would do everything possible to ensure that the spread of coronavirus was minimised, stressing that government was working hard to ensure that more persons were not infected in the state.

Consequently, it converted its 200-bed capacity Diagnostic Centre into an Isolation Centre for treatment of confirmed cases.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Ifeanyi Agujiobi, announced this during a tour of the facility, saying efforts are on to contain the spread.

Ugwuanyi, who listed the Isolation centres as the 200-bed State Medical Diagnostic Centre, ESUTH-Parklane Hospital, Isolation and Treatment Centre, GRA, Nsukka and the Colliery Hospital, added that government was planning more centres in all local government areas of the state with support from council chairmen.

Also, a member of the House of Representatives from Enugu State, Ofor Chukwuegbo has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to extend the special COVID-19 palliatives approved for Lagos and others to the state.

Besides, in readiness for the 14-day lockdown, eventual outbreak and the need to sensitise the grassroots on precautionary measures against Coronavirus, the Ihiagwa Community in Owerri West Council Area of Imo State has floated a food bank for indigent persons during the lockdown.

This was disclosed during a sensitisation programme that would be carried out in the 27 council areas of the state, which began in Ihiagwa.

In a statement, Chairman of Ihiagwa Town Management Committee and Administrative Leader of Ihiagwa Ancient Kingdom and Ihiagwa Ndidi, Emeka Udokporo, said the community was worried over the rate of spread of COVID-19 globally, noting that there was a need for community members to be adequately prepared.

Meanwhile, piqued by the increasing state of filth in Owerri, Governor Hope Uzodinma has constituted a seven-man taskforce to clean up the state capital.

A statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku, revealed that Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Iyke Njoku is Chairman of the taskforce.

Also, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, has disclosed that Governor Uzodinma might unveil six isolation centres before the week ends.

He said a testing centre for COVID-19 has been set up in the state, adding that the governor would unfold palliative measures to cushion the effect of lockdown directed by the state government.