Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki has confirmed eleven cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the State.
The Nigeria Center for Disease and Control, NCDC, confirmed one more case in Edo State on Wednesday, bringing the number of cases to eleven.
Obaseki confirming the cases in the state, warned that the state is likely to record more cases in a few weeks.
In series of posts on his official Twitter page, Obaseki wrote: “My good people of #EdoState, I am glad to inform you that I have now completed my 14 days self-isolation period as a result of my exposure to confirmed cases of coronavirus (#COVIDー19).
“Throughout my period of isolation, I effectively coordinated all our efforts as a State, and will now like to update you on the activities and efforts which the very dedicated COVID-19 Response team have been undertaking to curb this pandemic.
“As at today, Edo state has 11 confirmed cases and sadly one death from COVID-19.
“Unfortunately, from the evidence we now have, the number of cases is likely to increase significantly in the next few weeks, unless we take very drastic actions NOW to slowdown the spread.
“We have gathered information that large numbers of our citizens who traveled back home in the last several weeks from overseas may not have self-isolated themselves.
“Although majority of the current cases are individuals with travel history and their relatives, in the coming days, we are likely to see community transmission of the virus to people who do not have any travel history.”
The governor, however, noted that lockdown order will not be issued because of the effect of hardship on its citizens but noted that strict measures will be put in place henceforth.
Obaseki announced that everyone in the state must wear face masks for the next fourteen days.
“We are reluctant to have a total shut down of the state because of the hardship it will cause to our people.
“For the next 14 days it is compulsory that every person in Edo state must wear a face mask in public. The Edo state Association of tailors and fashion designers are mass-producing high quality reusable face masks at affordable prices.
“Any gathering of more that 20 people will be immediately dispersed and persons involved will be prosecuted.
“All markets in Edo state will be shut for fumigation, sanitization and thorough cleaning over the next 30 days,” he said.
