To safeguard citizens against the spread of coronavirus which began in China and is rapidly spreading to other countries, government of Ebonyi State has set up a seven-man committee to implement some preventive measures.
READ ALSO: Oil rising on optimism over Coronavirus impact
The committee which is headed by Kenneth Ugballa, secretary to Ebonyi State government, will ensure that all major entrance and exit routes in the state are under medical and security surveillance and that all returnees and expatriates undergo medical screening with a follow-up for two weeks.
A release signed by Ugballa said Governor David Umahi directed the committee to immediately purchase seven Hilux vans and seven buses to be deployed to the six exit and entrance check-points including the treatment centre at Unity Square, Abakaliki.
“State government, therefore, establishes screening check-points at the following entry spots, namely: Ishielu for Ebonyi/Enugu border, Nwezenyi for Ebonyi/Ogoja-lkom axis, Abaomege for Ebonyi/Itigidi-Ugep axis, Nguzu Edda for Ebonyi Abiriba-Ohafia axis, Mile 2 Ishiagu for Ebonyi/Abia State border, and Umunagu-Mpu for Ebonyi/Enugu State. And a treatment Centre at the Unity Square, Abakaliki,” the statement said.
“The novel coronavirus is carried by wild and farm animals, it is transmitted by air and causes fever, cough and difficulty in breathing. It is spread from animals to humans and from an infected person to another,” it said.
The state government enjoined the public to observe certain precautions, including “improve on personal & environmental hygiene and as well drink enough water each day; regular hand-washing and use of sanitizers; when coughing or sneezing, cover the mouth and nose; use medical mask to cover the mouth and nose especially in crowded events, and avoid unprotected contact with wild animals and also cook meats thoroughly”.
It further urged the public to “avoid travelling especially overseas for now; any returnee or expatriate that has fever, cough and difficulty in breathing should be reported to the Rapid Response Team at the Treatment Centre, Unity Square, Abakaliki; all returnees and expatriates must report at the ports of entry for documentation and surveillance; and public institutions, eateries, hotels, banks, markets and worship centres are to co-operate strictly with this government policy response”.
Umahi assured the people of Ebonyi State of his commitment to public health safety and more developments for the state.
