Amidst the fear of the spread to the state, Oyo state government on Thursday said the state has no record of positive case of the coronavirus.
However, the government said there is the suspected case of an individual, a UK returnee who is presently observing the protocol of self-isolation, adding that contact tracing on the suspect is still ongoing.
The confirmation came on the heels of information that a carrier of the virus who was confirmed in Ekiti state transited and stayed in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital city for two weeks before transiting to Ekiti state, where the case was confirmed.
Speaking on the suspected case, Dr Bello disclosed that some tests currently being carried out on samples collected from the said individual have been sent to the National Reference Laboratory, LUTH, for Southwest.
He added that the test results are being expected Friday.
Responding to question on if the state is moving to issues restriction order, the commissioner urged the people to use their discretions on their movement, noting that the state is not prepared for any litigation that might follow any restriction order around the state.
He assured that all facilities in State remain on high alert and adequate resources have been deployed to the facilities in case of unforeseen circumstances.
“The Oyo State Ministry of Health has continued to follow the unravelling of the outbreak. Since its onset in December, 2019, over 170,000 cases and 7,000 deaths have been reported across over 150 countries of the world.
“At this point, the Ministry of Health wishes to inform the general public that despite the report of several cases of Corona Virus in the country, our Ministry hereby wishes to reiterate its commitment towards ensuring a disease free Oyo State.
“This is particularly important because these cases have been in neighboring states. The Oyo state ministry of health would like to reassure the public that our surveillance system has been activated and contact tracing is ongoing.
“For instance the individuals involved in the confirmed cases in Ekiti State, transmitted through Ibadan, our state capital. Contact-tracing is on.
“As of today, we have a case of an individual who just returned from the UK; but the individual is observing the protocol of self-isolation.
“Some tests currently being carried out on samples collected from the said individual have been sent to the National Reference Laboratory, LUTH, for South West. The test results are being expected tomorrow.
“At this point, all facilities in Oyo State remain on high alert and adequate resources have been deployed to all facilities in case of unforeseen circumstances.
“Once again, I wish to reassure the people of the State that there is currently no confirmed case of corona virus in Oyo State until the result of the said individual return to us.
“The public is therefore implored to remain calm but ensure strict adherence to hygiene practices (regular hand washing with soap and running water or use of alcohol based sanitizers) and observe good respiratory hygiene (covering of the nose and mouth with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing and proper immediate disposal of the used tissue paper as well as immediate hand washing).
“More importantly, the Ministry wishes to strongly implore all individuals arriving Oyo State and other parts of Nigeria from countries with ongoing COVID-19 outbreak to notify the Ministry of Health on arrival and undergo supervised self-isolation for at least fourteen days before moving around.
“Such individuals should promptly report any symptoms observed during self-isolation to Oyo State Ministry of Health. I wish to enjoin family members and neighbours to advice individuals arriving from such countries to ensure strict compliance with the 14-day self-isolation and to promptly notify the Ministry of Health if it is not complied with.
“We also enjoin private health facilities to conform with expected universal precaution and protocols when attending to all clients. There is the need to have a high index of suspicion especially with cases of unexplainable fever and upper respiratory tract infections.
“I also wish to quickly state that other State Health facilities are available and accessible to members of the public for the provision of care.
“The public is therefore implored to remain calm but ensure adherence preventive practices like social distancing, staying about 6 feet from the next person, limit social gathering and social contact to only when absolutely necessary.
“Because of the fluid nature of development around Covid-19, as the world evolves in its handling of the pandemic, we in Oyo State are also evolving and exploring ways to address the situation.
“Let me at this juncture note that the provision of qualitative health care is a joint responsibility of all. The media, which you all represent, has a cardinal role to play in the dissemination of appropriate information to the public and thus a major partner. Together we can prevent the spread of COVID-19 to Oyo State. (The Nation)
