The Abia State Government has received the report of two confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the State from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
The government disclosed that both patients are advanced in age but currently stable at an isolation centre.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the State Commissioner for Information, John Okiyi Kalu and made available to newsmen on Monday evening.
According to the Abia government, “We have deployed our ventilators to the isolation center in readiness for their use if eventually required to nurse them back to good health. Our well trained medical personnel are offering all necessary support and we hope and pray the patients survive this ailment.
“Contact tracing has commenced in earnest and our rapid response team is currently moving to bring in those who may have had contact with the two index cases.”
It called on Abia residents not to panic but continue to observe all the guidelines issued by the NCDC and the State inter-ministerial committee on COVID-19.
The Government added, “Stay at home unless there is a compelling need to go out either to buy drugs or food. Do so with your face mask on
“Wash your hands regularly with soap under running water for at least 20 seconds or use original hand sanitizers to clean them
“Observe social distancing and also avoid crowds
“Do not open any market to trade and, please, stop using public transport until further notice.
“Based on the age of the patients, we are looking at a possible community transmission and will strongly advise that all those who may have come in contact with the two individuals who hail from Ukwa and Umuahia North areas of the state immediately call 0700 2242 362”.
Meanwhile, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced 38 new cases of coronavirus in the country.
The agency gave the update on Twitter, Monday night.
Kano State recorded the highest number of cases.
NCDC gave the breakdown as: “23 in Kano, 5 in Gombe, 3 in Kaduna, 2 in Borno, 2 in Abia, 1 in FCT, 1 in Sokoto, 1 in Ekiti.
“As at 11:10 pm 20th April, there are 665 confirmed cases of #COVID19 reported in Nigeria.
“Discharged: 188, Deaths: 22.”
