Two persons have tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic in Edo state, bringing the total numbers of confirmed cases to 11.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Patrick Okunda, who disclosed this during a media briefing in Benin City, Edo state capital expressed concern over rising cases of the virus in the state.
He cautioned residents to strictly adhere to the guidelines on social distancing amongst other measures aimed at curbing spread of the virus.
In the same vein, the state government said it would commence the compulsory use of face masks by residents in the public even as it warned that defaulters would be sanctioned.
Chairman of the state anti-CoVID-19 taskforce and deputy governor of the State, Hon. Phillip Shaibu, disclosed this at the joint press conference.
Shaibu expressed dismay that persons who do self isolation at home don’t adhere to the rules, adding, “from today, we are banning self isolating at home at any level.”
He said: “We have holding and isolation centers. We can deal with the issues because the last incident also affected two other persons in the house… that is not acceptable.
“So, assuming that individual was taken to our facility, we are sure that the other two cases we had in the same home won’t have occurred.
“From today, we have taken a decision that every of our contact that needs to be isolated will be isolated in government-owned facility,” he stated.
Continuing, the deputy governor announced closure of markets from Tuesday midnight to enable the government fumigate in its efforts to curb the spread of the virus.
Shaibu however explained that traders of essential commodities would be relocated to the nearest schools in order to meet residents needs.
Also, official of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the state, Mrs. Faith Ireye, said the 11 confirmed cases has generated 234 persons of interest.
According to Ireye, “We have taken samples from 61 persons. 50 were negative, 11 positive. And we are following 79 persons of interest.”
