Enugu State Government has called on residents of the state to voluntarily go for the covid19 test at any sample collection centers closer to one; sample collection centers are in all the local government areas of the state
The State Commissioner for Health, Ikechukwu Emmanuel Obi, made this call while briefing journalists on the state of Enugu State in the fight against the spread of the virus.
The test, he revealed, will not only enable the state government to know actual data of people with the virus but help prevent unnecessary deaths of unsuspecting individuals and transmission of the virus to another.
In Enugu State as of 10:39 am today, the Nigeria Center of Disease Control, NCDC, records 1,829 confirmed cases, 297 currently on admission, 1511 discharged and 21 deaths.
Obi further advised residents of the state to continue to adhere to the NCDC outlined non-pharmaceutical measures as they are still the best way to avoid contacting and spread the deadly virus.
“As we await the vaccine, we remind our people that Covid19 is real and the most important weapon against the disease is strict compliance with the non-pharmaceutical measures; physical distancing, regular washing of hands with soap and water, or use of hands sanitizer in the absence of water, proper wearing of face mask while in public,” Obi said.
Obi then commended health workers for their efforts at combating and containing the spread of Covid-19 in the state.
He revealed that many of the healthcare workers at the various isolation and treatment centres in the state have not gone on leave but have given their best in the management of the pandemic.
On the issue of disclosing the identity of patients down with covid19, Chidi Aroh, Commissioner for Information described it as a breach of fundamental rights.
Aroh said, “Disclosing patients’ identity is a breach of their rights. It may be possible in the developed world, but our culture is different and we reserve the disclosure to come from patients willingly.”
“We do not want these ones to be stigmatized in any way and we will not divulge their identity without their consent,” Aroh reiterated.
