Abia Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu takes precautions after saying Coronavirus can’t get to the state

The Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, has shown commitment in taking precautions against the spread of Coronavirus to the state.

This is coming after he initially told residents that the virus won’t get to the state. While speaking in a chat with his chief Press Secretary on Facebook Live, Ikpeazu had explained that the state is under God’s promise and that the virus will pass just like the other ones before it.

“Abia is the only state that is mentioned in the Bible. We have a promise from God that none of these diseases will touch God’s people. And I hold on to God’s promise. We saw Ebola, it did not get to us. We saw monkeypox, it didn’t get to us. Even this one will also pass us by,” he said.

He was ridiculed as many people expressed concern over how he took the COVID-19 outbreak lightly.

Following the backlash from members of the public, the governor has begun a campaign to prevent and respond to any Coronavirus cases in the state. On Monday, he commissioned a Coronavirus committee tasked with establishing and equipping isolation centres in the state.

The secretary of the committee, John Okiyi Kalu, revealed that two isolation centres have been launched at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia and Amachara Specialist Hospital.

“The Committee has also identified and readied a third isolation centre at Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Aba, and we are working to prepare another one in Abia North Senatorial District of the State,” Kalu said.

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The state government said it is also reviewing proposals to close both public and private schools in the state, and also ban any gathering of more than 50 persons. It plans to equally adopt social distancing in the markets without disrupting normal activities or creating panic.

“Over 10,000 face masks and 1,000 digital thermometers [are] with the State Ministry of Health for distribution to health institutions, and sanitizers have been distributed to health workers in the state.”

“The Abia Tele-Health facility is also operational and will be responding to all contacts in collaboration with healthcare agencies in the state. The staff which includes workers and officers in charge of the 722 Primary Healthcare Centres in the state will monitor and manage all cases remotely through phone calls,” Kalu said.