COVID-19: Obiano declares index case negative •Says lockdown continues indefinitely

By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, has declared the COVID-19 index case in the state negative of the virus.

Making the declaration during a special broadcast Saturday, the governor said that the index case is responding very well to treatment, saying that the first post-treatment result from the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) returned Negative for SARS-CoV 2.

He said that following the standards applied by NCDC since the outbreak of the pandemic in Nigeria, the man will undergo a second round of test before he can be conclusively declared negative. 

Obiano said: “One week ago, I announced to you that our dear state had recorded an Index-Case of the Covid-19 pandemic that has forced the world to a standstill in the past few months.

“I assured you that my Team and I had made the necessary arrangements to give Ndi Anambra a fighting chance against the pandemic.

“Today, I am delighted to announce that the report reaching me from the Protective Care Center indicates that our Index Case is responding very well to treatment. In fact, the first post treatment result from the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) returned Negative for SARS-CoV 2.”

On the issue of contact tracing, the governor said that five out of the 39 persons that had contact with the index case were already placed in the Protective Care Center while some are quarantined in their homes.

While saying that six out of the total contacts tested negative for Coronavirus, he added that the ones quarantined at the PCC were stable and asymptomatic.

“Out of the 20 samples tested for the virus from Anambra State, so far, only the Index Case returned Positive. The rest are negative. Ndi Anambra, this result gives us enough elbowroom to fight this monster by adhering to the principles of Social Distancing, maintaining a thorough personal hygiene and obeying government directives and policies on the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The people in Home Quarantine are being closely monitored in strict compliance with the WHO guidelines on Covid-19 containment,” the governor noted.

Obiano announced that at all boundaries with neighbouring states and motor parks in the state remain closed, advising Anambra people to stay where they are until the lock-down is over. 

He said that only vehicles conveying essential commodities and supplies are allowed to enter Anambra State after a proper check and confirmation by security agents.

His words: “All inter-city/inter-community movements in the state (e.g Awka-Onitsha, Onitsha-Nnewi, Ozubulu-Ihiala, etc) remain suspended. Ndi Anambra are strongly advised to stay where they are until the lockdown is over. For example, those in Awka should remain in Awka, those in Aguleri should remain in Aguleri, people in Nnewi should remain in Nnewi except when the movement is extremely necessary.

“Food markets in Anambra State are to open only on Tuesdays and Fridays. Traders and customers in these markets must always maintain the principles of Social Distancing during the transaction process.

“The wholesale medical drug market in Onitsha is permitted to open only on Tuesdays and Fridays. Please note that any stores/shops located in the markets not dealing on food items or medical drugs remain closed. The security agents have been directed to ensure a rigorous enforcement.

“Commercial banks in Anambra State are encouraged to maintain skeletal services especially on market days.

“Ndi Anambra are encouraged to wear face masks whenever they step out of their homes for any reason, wash their hands regularly with soap for at least 20 seconds each time, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers, cough/sneeze into folded elbows and practice social distancing at all times.

“People on essential services e.g. health workers, journalists, and factory workers producing essential commodities are not affected by this lockdown. Security agents enforcing the lockdown order should take note of this.”

Obiano called on all farmers in the state to return to their farms with immediate effect noting that the measure is to allow them participate fully in the current planting season and more so, fend the impending hunger that Covid-19 has created.

He stressed that 3,000 hectares of arable land has been secured in the agricultural belt of the state for large scale farming during this planting season saying that the initiative is expected to take over 2000 youths off the labour market.

The Governor further said that the state government has ordered 7 tractors to be deployed in the cultivation of the land.

He expressed delight that the Anambra State House of Assembly has successfully passed the Anambra State COVID-19 Law which has been accented to by him.

Speaking on the shooting at Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of the state, Obiano said: “Umu nnem, the clash between a group of youths and some security operatives at Nkpor that resulted in the unfortunate death of one person and injuries to other is extremely regrettable.

“It is one avoidable incident which we must not permit to happen to us again. The Government of Anambra State will foot the medical bills of the injured as well as underwrite the burial costs of the deceased.

“However, in the interest of peace in our communities, I wish to appeal to Ndi Anambra to refrain from anything that would lead to a head-on collision with the police. I also appeal to the police to adopt best practices in dealing with the challenges that this difficult moment will most certainly provide. May the soul of the departed young man rest in perfect peace! Amen.”

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