The Anambra State government has predicted that there will be a rise in the cases of COVID-19 in the state in days to come.
It, however, urged all not to panic as the expected rise is for good, as the state has commenced aggressive testing with its recently opened testing centres.
The state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C. Don Adinuba who stated this in a press statement said the state has initiated aggressive testing of the people for coronavirus with the aim of early detection of the infections.
He said, “With the recent commissioning of the first mega laboratory at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital at Amaku, Awka, the only lab in the Southeast capable of testing up to 470 samples daily, we are now mobilizing our people more intensely to test for COVID-19.
“We are also intensifying our community search following Governor Willie Obiano’s establishment of COVID-19 Task Forces in the 21 local government areas in the state but also in all 326 wards, the first state to do so in Nigeria.
“Contrary to the thinking of a couple of people, COVID-19 is far from a death sentence. In fact, we have not lost even a patient whose status was reported early to any of our relevant ministries, departments, agencies, task forces or rapid response teams.
“All the victims were reported very late, in some cases when the persons had already passed on.”
Adinuba said early detection of COVID-19 attacks would enable government doctors and other medical team members to treat affected individuals in their homes.
“We have actually managed some cases at home successfully”, the statement revealed, noting that home treatment is in accordance with new protocols in the fight against the pandemic.
“Therefore, any person whose case is not critical can be treated in his or her residence if the person so desires,” he said.
