Ondo State government seals off private hospital over rise in COVID-19 cases

State records 30 fresh cases in seven days, nine deaths
Sequel to the astronomical rise in COVID-19 cases in Ondo State, the state government has sealed off a private hospital (names withheld) in Okitipupa Local Council of the state.

The Guardian learnt that the state recorded an unprecedented 30 new cases in the last seven days, spreading across the three senatorial districts of the state with 73 cases in all.

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who raised an alarm of tumultuous days ahead, disclosed this yesterday at the weekly press briefing in Akure, confirming that they were clear cases of community transmission.

“The 30 cases we recorded in just one week is, to say the least, frightening, embarrassing and a serious message that the killer COVID-19 is here with us.

“Indeed,it is at our doorsteps. We must take control by co-operating with the government in the fight against the spread of the disease,” he said.

He lamented that the situation would have been avoided if the necessary precautions were adhered to, warning that the indicators, trends and patterns seen so far seem to suggest that the difficult days are fast approaching.

According to him, the total cases on admission is currently 31, nine deaths, 33 discharged cases and 880 samples collected for testing from 753 suspected cases in all the 18 local councils.

He, however, implored the people to be proactive in the fight against the pandemic, urging them to deploy the communal tactics used by the people of Ilara-Mokin in Ifedore Local Council to curtail a serious outbreak.