By Comrade Nnadi Goodluck
On Sunday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed the first case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Ebonyi State.
Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi also added, saying that the index case is a 31 year old man from Ukawu in Onicha Local government area of the state.
The governor said: “Today 26th of April 2020, unfortunately I wish to announce that Ebonyi has recorded the first Covid-19 index case.
“The index case is a 31 years old man from Ukawu in Onicha Local government area.
“He runs a higher transport business with his Sienna vehicle which he uses to carry food items to Ore in Ogun State. Usually after selling this food items he will use the vehicle to carry passengers back to Southeast.
“While in Ore he could not get passengers to bring back to Southeast. And he had to wait for sometime in Ore sleeping in motor parks and filling stations. And when he could not he started making his way back to Ebonyi State.
“On his way he saw three Ebonyians that were speaking Ebonyi language. He stopped, they told him that they were going to Ebonyi and we’re stranded with no money.
“He called the parents and they agreed that he should bring them back and they would pay him when they got back. So he took the three of them and started coming back. That was on the 15th of April.
“They passed through many states sleeping in the parks and filling stations on the way and only got to Ebonyi borders on the 20th.
“They passed through Ivo local government and made their way to Okposi in Ohaozara where they were intercepted by the state anti-COVID-19 task force and brought to Abakaliki in line with government policy.
“At the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium holding area where they were kept for some days, a test was conducted on them and the driver tested positive on Saturday while the three passengers were negative.
“I directed for a second test on the passengers, which came out the same way on Sunday.
“Contact tracing of over 300 persons he might have come in minimal contact with has commenced.
“The people of Ebonyi should not panic as the State Government has made adequate preparations for such occasion.
“The index case has been moved to the State’s isolation centre where he is being treated.
“He is very strong and is not showing any symptoms at the moment.”
Below is the statement from NCDC.
“91 new cases of #COVID19 reported;
43-Lagos
8-Sokoto
6-Taraba
5-Kaduna
5-Gombe
3-Ondo
3-FCT
3-Edo
3-Oyo
3-Rivers
3-Bauchi
2-Osun
1-Akwa Ibom
1-Bayelsa
1-Ebonyi
1-Kebbi
“As at 11:50pm 26th April- 1273 confirmed cases of #COVID19 reported in Nigeria.
Discharged: 239
Deaths: 40.” The statement read.
Nawaoooo