Oyo state government kicks off test of 2,000 residents for coronavirus
Segun Showunmi in Ibadan
The Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday, kicked off a rapid testing initiative for coronavirus in the State, declaring that the outcome of the exercise would help contain the spread of the virus.
Penpushing reports that the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, made this known in a statement which was made available to journalists, with the Governor stating that, the initiative is expected to test 2,000 samples within two weeks.
The statement said Makinde disclosed that it will take place at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, stressing that the rapid testing initiative aligned to his administration’s commitment to test at least 10,000 residents within a short time.
“The State was scaling up testing in alignment with expert opinions that the best way to contain and control the spread of the novel Coronavirus is by ensuring mass testing”,the Governor emphasised
Penpushing further reports that, Makinde appreciated the Citizen for Citizen, a Non-Governmental Organisation headed by the Chairman of First Bank Nigeria, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, which provided the 2,000 testing kits and , for partnering with the State on rapid testing for coronavirus.
“Experts have opined that the best place to start in solving our peculiar problems is by ramping up our testing capabilities. For this reason, a few weeks ago, the Oyo State Government, in collaboration with the University College Hospital, Ibadan, set up a diagnostic centre to test for COVID-19 right here in Ibadan.”
“Indeed, with social distancing through lockdowns proving to be the most effective way of checking community spread, and the fact that people can have COVID-19 and be asymptomatic, large-scale testing will help us determine where and when targeted lockdowns are necessary.”
Penpushing also reports that the Governor maintained that his administration had begun to put necessary things in place to ensure its capability to prevent, contain and control the spread of the virus even before the index case was recorded in the state.
“The flag-off that we are witnessing here today is a culmination of weeks of planning and hard work. Even before the index case was recorded in the state, on the 21st of March, we had started putting things in place to ensure that we will be able to prevent, contain, and control the spread of COVID-19 in Oyo State.
“As I have said in the past, we are walking in uncharted territory, and no one can claim to know it all when it comes to the best way to handle this pandemic. We can only listen to the experts and apply common sense.”
Penpushing reports that the governor stated that 610 personal protective equipment were already on ground for the use of health workers while the State has also ordered an additional 400, adding that health workers would be the first to be tested in the drive-through/walk-through testing exercise.
Meanwhile, the Governor however warned residents of the State not to take lightly the Government’s warnings and directives on coronavirus, emphasizing and noting that the virus is real.
