Obiano confirms another COVID-19 death, Enugu moves to discharge cases

Family members test positive, escapee patients submit selves in Imo
Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano has confirmed the death of the second case of coronavirus, noting his status was not initially disclosed.

He disclosed this in a statewide broadcast yesterday, affirming The Guardian’s report of the second death, which had created some disquiet in government circles.

Governor Obiano, who had mulled fresh lockdown, frowned on non-wearing of facemasks especially by traders.

Besides, the Enugu State government said it would soon discharge the six remaining coronavirus patients still undergoing treatment in various isolation centres in the state, stressing that it was working to ensure zero casualties.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ikechukwu Obi, stated during the commissioning of permanent wash station donated to an isolation centre by the South Saharan Social Development Organisation (SSDO) that patients were doing well.

He stated that five patients were discharged last week after they tested negative for the virus, bringing the total number to 13 cases so far been discharged.

Obi said with the support of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi his ministry had continued to provide treatment for all existing cases, respond to emergency calls, as well as carry out contact tracing and follow up suspects.

In a similar vein, the Imo State Covid-19 Taskforce Team said a man and his three children among whom is a three-year old child have tested positive for coronavirus in the state.

The new cases, which be added to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) data in its latest release, would take the total number of index cases in the state from 39 to 43.

Addressing newsmen in Owerri, Chairman of the Taskforce Team, Prof. Maurice Iwu, said the children contacted the virus from their father.

However, patients who escaped have submitted themselves for treatment, just as tension continues to mount in the state due to the rising figures.

A member of the task force and Imo State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr. Vitus Ekeocha, disclosed this while fielding questions from journalists hinting that 96 persons who were traveling from Imo to Delta, Rivers, Abia and Anambra to Lagos and other states, despite the border closure, tested positive for the virus.

He added that the identities and contacts of the patients who escaped had been sent to the state government and relevant agencies to alert them of their destinations.