COVID-19: Edo NMA advises residents against social gatherings

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Edo state has advised the general public to avoid social gatherings in the state to guard against the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Chairman of the NMA in the state, Dr. Valentine Omoifo, disclosed this at a press conference on Monday in Benin.

“Thirty-five cases are diagnosed so far in Nigeria. The aim of this briefing is to create awareness about the dreaded disease which is an enemy of man.

“We need to be careful about this virus; it can be in the air for about eight hours,” he said.

Omoifo however, called on the general public to maintain a high-level hygiene in the state, stating that “the NMA is calling on government to create more quarantine centres in the country, and should also close all its borders of entry.

“Government should be able to provide facilities and equipment to tackle the disease. The government should ensure strict monitoring especially in transportation and regulate free flow of information.”

According to him, the National Centre for Disease Control has confirmed a case at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, but it has not been confirmed by the NMA.

Omoifo advised everyone to keep social distance, avoid shaking hands, washing hands regularly and engage in self-quarantine.

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The Edo state NMA chief urged the federal and state governments to tackle the pandemic by closing down schools, churches, markets and mosques.

The NCDC on March 23 confirmed that five new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in Nigeria and one in Edo state. The case in Edo is being treated at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH).