bud, the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has ordered the
immediate closure of all primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in
the state. He also announced plan to establish a Specialist Hospital for
this disease.
Governor Uzodimma who made a broadcast to the people of Imo State on
measures to prevent and control the Corona virus disease (COVID-19),
Friday stated that he is taking elaborate steps to ensure that the
health and wellbeing of Imolites remain priority of his administration.
He stated: “As a responsible Government, we have done our home work and
I can assure you that there is truly no cause for alarm. All the
necessary measures have been put in place to ensure that the virus does
not find a breeding space in Imo State. Be rest assured that we shall
not leave any stone unturned in ensuring that our people are safe, well
protected by providing the necessary tool and expertise needed for
maximum protection from Corona Virus pandemic.”
He further reiterated that he has inaugurated a star-studded Corona
virus Protection and Control Committee headed by Prof. Maurice Iwu to
commence round the clock surveillance of all strata of the state for
effective prevention and control of the disease.
To this end, Governor Uzodimma said that arrangements have been put in
place to test all passengers arriving at the Sam Mbakwe International
Cargo Airport, Owerri for symptoms of the virus.
The Governor assured that “any passenger that manifests signs of the
disease will first be taken to a bay that has been set up at the Airport
for further examination. If confirmed that the symptoms are manifest,
the passenger will immediately be taken to the test centres and if
positive, quarantined at the isolation centre.”
On some of the actions already taken by the government for prevention
and control of COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Uzodimma stated: “A
State-of-the-art modern Ambulance has been provided for the Committee to
facilitate its operations. This Ambulance is equipped with necessary
medical gadgets for quick analysis and test for the virus and will be on
24 hours standby to respond to any emergency anywhere in the state. In
addition, we are liaising with the National Centre for Disease Control
to ensure that we buy into the Federal Government’s Corona Virus
prevention roadmap. Similarly, we are tracking global updates on the
disease so as to remain ever vigilant on global efforts, control and
eradication.”
Governor Uzodimma further noted that arrangements have been concluded to
establish a Specialist Hospital specifically charged with control and
prevention of the contagious disease. This, he said will ensure that
neither Corona virus nor any other contagious virus will be a threat to
Imo people in the future.
Further to these measures, Governor Uzodimma affirmed that “an isolation
centre has been set up within the State Capital to quarantine any person
who tests positive to the virus. A test centre has equally been set up
in Owerri to examine those with symptoms of the virus.”
As an additional preventive measure,, Governor Uzodimma advised that
residents returning from Overseas must be self-isolated for 14 days and
contact the RAPID RESPONSE CENTRE (RRC) arm of the Committee if need
be.
Consequently, the Ministry of Health has been directed to immediately
provide hand sanitizers to all government ministries and agencies.
Similarly, hotels in the state are to provide hand-washing platforms and
sanitizers where guests can regularly wash their hands.
To ensure effective monitoring of human traffic in and out of Imo State,
bus operators are directed to maintain travel manifest as well as
provide hand sanitizers on board their buses.
Governor Uzodimma, who earlier inaugurated the nine-man Corona Virus
Prevention and Control Committee led by Prof. Maurice Iwu charged them
to undertake rigorous public enlightenment campaign, assuring that he
will spare no resources to facilitate the Committee’s assignment which
is to ensure that the Corona Virus disease does not gain a foothold in
Imo State.