Following an increase of over 85% cases of coronavirus pandemic in the last 14 days in the state, Ogun State government has suspended further re-opening of lockdown proposed for opening all worship centres, mainly mosques and churches, across the state.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, who addressed a press conference on the update of COVID-19 control in the state on Friday evening in Abeokuta, frowned at the flagrant disregard and flouting of restrictions and transport commuting orders which are increasing community transmission of the deadly virus, saying that there would be stricter enforcement of such orders.
“Let me start with the update on the current COVID-19 situation in our State as reflected in the medical statistics. As at Monday, 15th June, 2020, we have recorded a total of 586 positive cases as against a total number of 316 on the 4th of June, an increase of 270 or over 85% in just 14 days.
“Put more succinctly, the number of cases recorded from first index case on 27th Feb to 4th June – a period of 98 days – has almost doubled in just 14 days. On the positive side, a cumulative total of 315 patients have been successfully treated and discharged, representing 54% of the total positive cases.
“This number stood at 168 in my last update on Friday, 5th June, indicating a discharge of 147 in the last 14 days. Within this period, we have painfully recorded an additional 6 more deaths, bringing the total to 15, an increase of over 66% compared to 9 as at the last update. We beseech God Almighty to repose the souls of the departed and grant their families the fortitude to bear the painful loss,” he said.
According to him, “The above speaks for itself – community transmission is on the increase. And regrettably, in spite of the spirited efforts of the government to create awareness about the deadly nature of the pandemic and the guidelines in place to flatten the curve of the spread, the compliance level of our people is still very much below expectation.
“Many are yet to appreciate that there is a new normal that demands a new way of life that is not optional and is also an individual responsibility in the final analysis. I wish to emphasise that the figures of the dead from COVID-19 related complications or the sick may appear to many as just mere statistics, but to those who are directly impacted, these are not just numbers, but caring spouses, loving fathers or mothers, sisters, brothers and cherished relatives.
“The intention here is not to scare us, but to drive home the point that COVID-19 is real, and we have a collective and individual responsibility to work together to tame it – through compliance with the guidelines.”
The governor recalled: “In my last briefing, we were considering a tentative date of Friday, 19th June, 2020 to further ease the restrictions and allow gradual opening of places of worship on Fridays and Sundays. Towards this end, we have had robust engagements with the religious leaders – Christian Association of Nigeria and the League of Imams and Alfas.
“I must thank them for their forthrightness, cooperation and even appreciation that the curve of the spread of the pandemic is worsening and that places of worship represent most potent fertile grounds for the spread of the deadly virus.”
