Akwa Ibom Coronavirus cases are mostly healthcare professionals – Governor Emmanuel Udom finally accepts results after tackling NCDC

Governor Emmanuel Udom has finally accepted the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) test result which disclosed that 5 people tested positive for Coronavirus in Akwa Ibom State.

Recall that the Akwa Ibom state government in a statement issued on Thursday April 2, by its Commissioner for Health Dominic Ukpong, countered NCDC’s announcement. They demanded for another test be conducted on the cases.

Governor Emmanuel however accepted the result in his Thursday broadcast. He revealed that the affected persons who are mostly healthcare professionals, have been moved to the isolation centres in the state “for proper management”.

The Governor who disclosed that they have started the process of tracing people who may have come in contact with the affected persons, also announced a total lockdown of the state for 14 days to enable health workers carry out the contact-tracing successfully.

He said;

“A little over a week ago, I had cause to address you concerning the state of affairs in our dear state as it has to do with the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic across the globe.

“I told you at that time that there was no confirmed case of COVID-19 in the state. That information at that time was correct, we had a few suspected cases that showed symptoms of the disease and had taken samples and sent them to the approved NCDC testing facilities and they all came out at that time negative.

“However, just last night we watched on the news that five cases have been confirmed positive by the NCDC.

“Thankfully, this information, sad as it is, did not meet us unprepared. Just two days ago, I inspected facilities at one of the isolation centres we have prepared for possible cases such as now. This is in addition to the already existing one in Ikot Ekpene. And I can assure you that other facilities are being prepared for similar use should the need for it arises.

“There will be no movement of persons, except those on essential duties who must carry a proper means of identification on them at all times. All business premises, markets, shops, motor parks and offices except grocery shops and pharmacies, must remain closed during this period.”