Ikpeazu sets up committee on virus management in Abia

The Abia State Government has inaugurated a committee on Coronavirus to effectively launch preventive media campaigns, put machinery in place to protect vulnerable groups like school children.

Headed by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Osuji the committee has commissioners of information, homeland security and science and technology, John Okiyi Kalu, Dan Okoli and Chijioke Madumere as members.

Inaugurated by Secretary to State Government (SSG), Chris Ezem, the committee will also identify and prepare isolation centres in case of any outbreak, procure test kits and drugs, as well as coordinate with state and federal agencies.

While inaugurating the committee, Ezem charged its members not to leave any stone unturned to protect the people of the state from Coronavirus outbreak, stressing that the Governor Okezie Ikpeazu-led administration placed priority on the health and safety of the citizens above other considerations.

Responding, Osuji said the ministry went to work early enough to put in place necessary preventive measures and established response protocols in case of any outbreak, adding that the ministry already identified isolation centres in Umuahia and Aba, while working on a third centre in Abia North Senatorial Zone.

He urged the people of the state to observe good hygiene including regular washing of hands, clean their environment and promptly report suspected cases to medical facilities.

The commissioner added that the ministry had already procured face masks and gloves for distribution to medical centers and will soon embark on preventive screening of people who visit government offices and other high risk public places.