Anambra’s first and only confirmed case for coronavirus has tested negative for the virus, the state government says.
The index case was confirmed a week ago by the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC), resulting in a total lockdown of the state by its government.
The case had spoken out from Protective Care Centre in Onitsha where he was isolated, maintaining that he does not have a virus and accusing the government of planning to kill him.
But in a broadcast on Saturday, to update people of the state on the state of things as it concerns the virus, Governor Willie Obiano said the report from the Protective Care Center indicates that the Index Case is responding very well to treatment.
“A week ago, I announced to you that our dear state had recorded an Index-Case of the COVID-19 pandemic that has forced the world to a standstill in the past few months. I assured you that my team and I had made the necessary arrangements to give Ndi Anambra a fighting chance against the pandemic.
“Today, I am delighted to announce that the report reaching me from the Protective Care Center indicates that our Index Case is responding very well to treatment. The first post-treatment result from the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) returned Negative for SARS-COV 2,” the governor said.
He, however, said following the standards which have been rigorously applied by NCDC since the outbreak of the pandemic in Nigeria, the case will go for the second round of test before he can be conclusively declared negative.
Obiano said the state’s medical team has successfully tracked 39 people who had direct contact with the Index Case, out of which, 5 are in the state Protective Care Center while the rest are quarantined at home.
“The people in our Protective Care Center are stable and have shown no symptoms of the virus so far. Similarly, the people in Home Quarantine are being closely monitored in strict compliance with the WHO guidelines on COVID-19 containment.
“Meanwhile, 6 people out of the 39 contacts have tested negative for Coronavirus. These are people who met directly with the Index Case 14 days ago. Ndi Anambra, this is something to be cheerful about,” he revealed.
Obiano further revealed that out of 20 samples tested for the virus from Anambra State so far, only the Index Case had returned positive while the rest are negative.
In his words, “This result gives us enough elbow room to fight this monster by adhering to the principles of Social Distancing, maintaining thorough personal hygiene and obeying government directives and policies on the COVID-19 pandemic. I do not doubt that if we keep the rules, we shall be in a good position to kick COVID-19 out of our dear state.
He thanked Anambra residents for taking the inconvenience created by the COVID-19 pandemic with calm dignity and complying with government directives in the past one week.
He assured that if the state continues to raise its level of compliance a little higher for the remaining week of the lockdown and ensure that there is no new case of the virus, his government will review the continued lockdown of the state.
“I urge you to keep your heads up and don’t relax your defence just yet. Experience has shown that the best defence against COVID-19 is eternal vigilance. The virus tends to surprise people who lose concentration; and once it is allowed a room to flourish, it occupies space in full. Ndi Anambra, we cannot afford to lose concentration against Coronavirus. For this reason, we wish to re-strengthen the following measures we have adopted against it –
“All boundaries with neighbouring states remain closed. Only vehicles conveying essential commodities and supplies are allowed to enter Anambra State after a proper check and confirmation by Security Agents.
“All inter-city/inter-community movements in the State (e.g Awka-Onitsha, Onitsha-Nnewi, Ozubulu-Ihiala etc) remain suspended. Ndi Anambra is strongly advised to stay where they are until the lock-down is over. For example, those in Awka should remain in Awka, those in Aguleri should remain in Aguleri, people in Nnewi should remain in Nnewi except when the movement is extremely necessary.
“All motor parks in the State remain closed.
“Food and markets in Anambra State are to open only on Tuesdays and Fridays. Traders and customers in these markets must always maintain the principles of Social Distancing during the transaction process” Obiano said.
The governor further directed all farmers in the State to return to their farms with immediate effect, to enable them to participate fully in the current planting season.
According to him, this is because that is the only way the state can fend the impending hunger that COVID-19 has created.
