By Frank Iroroh
As part of government’s determination to continually sensitize the people on the need to comply fully with COVID-19 preventive protocols, a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Health Monitoring and member Delta State COVID-19 Team, Dr. Michael Nwoko, over the weekend in Asaba appeared on a radio Programme to give an update on COVID – 19,. alongside Matthew Maxwell Agbaduba.
Answering questions on the COVID-19 status in the State, Dr Nwoko stated that currently Delta State had a total of 1,398 confirmed cases, with 743 of them active, 620 discharges and 35 fatalities.
Dr Nwoko said it was obvious that the state was flattering the curve of COVID – 19 considering the number of active cases as against the discharged cases, as the number of active cases was almost near the discharged cases.
The SSA further stated that Delta was the best state in the country in the management of the pandemic, with a successful contact tracing record of 99%.
He said people tended not to believe that COVID – 19 was real because the pictures and video clips of the patients on admission were not made public, but explained that it was unethical to do so except with the consent of the patient concerned.
Dr Nwoko maintained that Delta State had been sincere in her dealings on COVID-19, stressing that the revelation of the status of top government officials, including that of the Governor, his wife and their daughter, was enough to convince people that the virus was real.
“The Governor recently dismissed ridiculous and unimaginable insinuations that anyone would collect money or anything to lie that he tested positive for COVID-19, describing the virus as real. This kind of belief and mindset is making it difficult to fight the virus.” Dr Nwoko stated.
“I have always said that the war against COVID-19 is on a tripod; Compliance with preventive protocols, Testing/Contact surveillance and Management of cases. The three go together whilst government is fulfilling its part by tracing, testing, isolating and treating cases.
The people on the other hand are not helping matters, some still believe the virus does not exist. Government is increasing advocacy in sensitizing the people on the need to adjust their belief system and accept the fact that we have a serious pandemic in our communities and that we must comply with safety protocols to safeguard ourselves. Believe me, if we all comply with safety protocols, COVID-19 will be be contained as quickly as possible.”
On why border closure was suspended in the midst of pandemic spikes,Dr Nwoko said, “the federal government announced the easing of the interstate border closure, because it is now clear, the virus is already in communities. In other words, we have reached the active phase of community transmission of the virus and therefore, border closure at this time will have little or no effect in curtailing the spread of COVID-19,”
On Reopening of schools the SSA said, “shortly after the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 issued a statement on reopening of schools for certificate classes, the Minister of Education made it clear that Schools cannot resume at this time due to the pandemic and that Nigeria will not participate in the 2020 West African School Certificate Examination conducted by (WAEC).
I believe it is imperative for the pandemic to be effectively contained before the government considers the option of reopening schools as it will be difficult to get pupils and students to comply with preventive protocols following the challenge government is facing to get adults to comply with same.”
On what government is doing to enforce compliance.Dr Nwoko stated, “Government is planning to enforce compliance. There has been advocacy and sensitization of the people through electronic and print media and recently the Commissioner for Information made it clear that government is working on measures to compel people to comply with safety protocols.We must adjust our belief system and social life in order to defeat the pandemic.”
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