The Ebonyi State Government said it has concluded plans to establish a testing Laboratory with full test Kits to help fight the global scourge of Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.
Governor David Umahi disclosed this on Wednesday in Abakaliki while briefing newsmen on the measures taken by his administration to fight the scourge of Lassa Fever and COVID-19 in the State.
Umahi, who reiterated precautionary measures adopted by his government since the reporting of the outbreak in China to include building of quarantine centres at the State borders, closure of schools, Night Clubs, sporting activities, among others, warned everyone to abide by the rules or face arrest.
According to him, beginning from March, 25, all gatherings of more than 50 persons shall become an offence, except in the essential service centres such as markets, ricemill, religious centres, banks and hotels.
The Governor, however, directed that all centres for essential services should provide nose masks, running water and other sanitary faculties, while sanitisers, temperature recorders and breathing techniques as well as social distancing must be employed as check measure.
Umahi further directed the particulars of all passengers from Lagos, Edo, Abuja and the South West must be recorded and submitted to the Ministry of Health on daily basis to facilitate monitoring by the medical team, while all motorcycle and tricycle operators must not carry more than one and two passengers at a time respectively.
Umahi explained: “I as the Governor of Ebonyi State shall from today 24th March, 2020 be the coordinator of the medical team put together by our government to arrest the situation.
“The Chief Medical Director of Dr. Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, and the Commissioner for Health shall be the Secretary and Assistant Secretary respectively, while the Deputy Governor and the Speaker will be assisting me directly.
“All retirees on health are hereby recalled at the State and Local Government Areas to help our medical team in our fight to protect our people.
“We have purchased a number of equipments like temperature gauge, ventilators and isolation cubicles.
“Our Virology Laboratory equipment for Lassa Fever will be deployed for blood sample testing of suspected COVID-19 patients with symptoms before 1st of April, 2020 when we shall have the test Kits.
“Only three centres are presently doing the testing in Nigeria: Abuja, Lagos and Edo.
“When ours comes up by 1st of April, 2020, it shall serve South East and South South and even North Central.”
Meanwhile, the State government, as announced by the Governor, has declared seven days fasting and prayer from March 25 to April 1, 2020 to last from 6am and 6pm daily, to seek God’s intervention in stemming the scourge.
Umahi urged all Ebonyians and residents to join in the prayer in their private endeavours while the leaders of the State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria shall lead in the closing through the State Electronic Media, Ebonyi Broadcasting Service.
He added: “We must pray and fast, but if we do not observe the rules, we will be doing a disservice to ourselves, families and the society.
“God requires us to be wise in times like this.
“There is no need to to fear as our government is doing everything possible to protect our people.”
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