COVID – 19: Its Consequences, Precautionary Measures

By AUSTIN ONIANWA (KSJ)

I wish to start this write-up by commending the Delta State Government ably led by our very ebullient, altruistic, and painstaking Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa for being highly proactive in his administration’s fight against the spread of Coronavirus in Delta State.

Before now, and on hearing of the spread in places like UK, US, Italy, Spain, Germany, among others, Governor Okowa immediately put in place the necessary machinery for creating  awareness on the ravaging coronavirus and its precautionary measures to avoid the spread of the disease in Delta State.

The Governor did not only make series of broadcasts on COVID-19, its spread and consequences on its victims, but also ensured that the state Ministry of Information, the Directorate of Orientation and other information disseminating organs maximally carried out enlightenment campaign.

To buttress Governor Okowa’s responsiveness to the welfare of Deltans, he built Isolation and treatment centres across the state and fully equipped them.

Other praise worthy measures applied by Governor Okowa include closure of the Asaba International Airport and land borders around the state.

It is worthy of mention here that, as a responsive leader and administrator, Governor Okowa set up a Food Bank to help cushion the effect of the two (2) week order; “Stay Home” Stay Safe” on indigent people in Delta State.

For government to achieve success in this direction, we the governed must cooperate by complying strictly with the precautionary measures spelt out by government as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

It is, therefore, on this premise that I have decided to write on the Coronavirus Pandemic, its Consequences, and Precautionary Measures to avoid its spread.

What is COVID-19? 

It is an acronym derived from CORONAVIRUS thus:
‘CO’ stands for Corona, ‘VI’ for Virus,  ‘D’ for Disease. That is Coronavirus Disease.

Formerly, this disease was referred to as ‘2019 novel coronavirus’ or ‘2019-nCoV.’

COVID-19 is a new virus linked to the same family of viruses as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and some types of common cold.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, sneezing and shortness of breath.

 
Arising from the foregoing, therefore, it is imperative that any one who presents with one or all of the above symptom(s) goes for medical test to confirm his or her COVID-19 status.

How does COVID-19 spread?  

a) The virus is transmitted through direct contact with respiratory droplets of an infected person (generated through coughing and sneezing).

b) Individuals can also be infected by touching surfaces of items contaminated with the virus and touching their faces (e.g., eyes, nose, mouth).

 
The precautionary measures include:

✓ staying home when sick and report to the hospital for diagnosis and medical attention;

✓ covering of mouth and nose with bent elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing and disposing of used tissue immediately;

✓ washing hands often with soap and running water.

✓ cleaning frequently touched surfaces and objects to avoid contracting Coronavirus. 

√ using hand sanitizers regularly

Please STAY HOME, STAY SAFE

Hon. Austin Onianwa is a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, (Political)