Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has confirmed the state’s index case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), saying it is not a death sentence.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had on Tuesday night announced 16 new COVID-19 cases, one of which was in Delta.
Mr Okowa said in a broadcast in Asaba on Wednesday that the pandemic was real.
He also debunked the rumour that a member of the State House of Assembly had tested positive for the virus.
The governor urged Deltans to cooperate with the government and comply with the stay-at-home order.
He said the state had prepared and equipped four isolation and treatment centers for COVID-19 patients in Warri, Oghara and Asaba with several holding places across the state for suspected cases.
“The lockdown order was given because it was necessary and also lawful because I have already signed into law a regulation which empowers us to take action against those who disobey the law,” Okowa said.
“Delta state recorded its index yesterday April 7, 2020, and that case has already been moved into one of our four management centres.
“We have already started the process of contact tracing and I want to assure all residents that our health staff have received the best of training, they are in good spirit and are ready to go.
“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to all residents to pray for our health staff and to support them to succeed.
“For the doubting Thomases, Covid-19 is real, it is not for the rich or for the poor, it could affect anybody.
“I want to urge us all to continue to observe the rules of social distancing, regular washing of the hands and the use of hand sanitisers.”
