Imo committee reassures residents of readiness to combat COVID-19
The committee set up by Imo state government on the coronavirus (COVID-19) has reassured of its readiness to safeguard the citizens from the pandemic.
Chairman of the task force, Prof. Maurice Iwu at a press conference at Government House, Owerri on Tuesday said that the state has taken necessary measures to keep the virus away from the state.
He said that aside the efforts made to massively sensitize the people about the scourge, there is need for the people to adhere strictly to hygienic and sanitary protocols of regular washing of hands, social distancing, minimizing unnecessary travels, applying hand sanitizers, wearing face mask and coughing into the elbow among others.
Iwu advised that people above the age of 60 should consider staying at home as part of the measures to prevent the spread of the virus, pointing out that a plan is underway to decongest the work force of the state and ensure that all schools comply with the state’s directive.
According to him, the fight against the COVID-19 is a collective responsibility, adding that people are encouraged to report any case of someone with severe fever, persistent coughing and sneezing to a nearby health facility or call designated phone numbers.
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He disclosed that the state has also provided isolation centres and is making efforts to build an infectious diseases specialist hospital that would help to manage sufferers of the virus in the future.
The task force chairman equally advised the people not to panic over the pandemic or indulge in rumour mongering, stressing that the virus is manageable and not a death sentence as some people presume.
“We have also set up measures if there is any such case in our state. The essential thing is that we are here to serve and to the best of our ability. Whatever information we have, we will share with the public.
“We are fully prepared and we are not going to leave any stone unturned to make sure that Imo state is safe from this virus,” he promised.
Secretary of the task team, Dr. Austin Okeji, also highlighted several measures being taken to guard against the spread of the disease.
According to him, there is a thorough screening of passengers coming into the state through the airport and efforts to fumigate all the service areas including health facilities in the state, all aimed at keeping Imo safe from the pandemic.
