First Coronavirus case confirm in Oyo State, Government activates emergency operating centres

Segun Showunmi in Ibadan

The first coronavirus case has been confirmed in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital, just as the Government Task Force activated emergency Operating Centres (EOCs) headed by  Governor Seyi Makinde as well as   Dr. Taiwo Ladipo of the Ministry of Health as the Incident Manager in charge of the Operating Centres.

Penpushing reports that, a statement issued by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Sunday, said the new case was reported in a man who returned from London recently, disclosing that the patient was at Bodija area of Ibadan.

The Governor added that, the  patient in his 50s has been in isolation for the past four days, adding that. his  sample was taken to Lagos where the result came out positive, and he also informed that another person who just returned from the America to Oluyole Local Government Area has also been isolated and the result of his test being awaited.

Penpushing further reports that, Makinde said the family of the affected  have been identified and notified to isolate themselves for 14 days, adding that, “a follow up on the Ekiti Covid-19 case revealed that the deceased was picked up directly from Lagos Airport to a private apartment in Ona Ara Local Government Area.”

“The Health Authorities have contacted the family concerned and the community has been alerted for intensified contact tracing and self-isolation of identified close contacts.The information given that he stayed in some hotels in Ibadan has been found to be false,” he added.

Penpushing also reports that in its determined effort to stop the spread of the novel corona virus in the State, the Oyo State Task Force on COVID-19 has activated emergency Operating Centres (EOCs) in the State.

The  statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the  Governor  Mr. Taiwo Adisa, said the activated Emergency  Operating Centres, in addition, has  a five-member committee of experts to act as sub-committee

Penpushing further reports that the statement also quoted the State’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bashir Bello  as affirming the release of two dedicated lines to coordinate COVID-19 related emergencies which include: 08095394000 and 08095863000.

The statement quoted Bello saying, ‘the State Surveillance Team is directly following up the suspected corona virus case in the state. The suspect was said to have recently arrived Oluyole, Ibadan, from the United States of America. It must be noted that she arrived in Nigeria on the 8th of March and today 22nd of March is her 14th day post arrival, which has thus completed the isolation period’.

Penpushing reports that, the statement re-emphasised the need for the people of Oyo State to observe standard procedures of engagement at this time by maintaining social distance, regular hand washing and use of sanitisers.

“We also encourage Nigerians returning from COVID-19 affected countries to maintain the globally accepted protocol by self-isolating for 14 days and reporting any untoward conditions to the State medical personnel. Let us also use this opportunity to reaffirm that all schools are to remain closed till after the Easter holidays and until the State re-evaluates the situation on ground.”