Anambra State Government has revealed that one of the last three coronavirus cases confirmed for Anambra is not from Anambra State, nor is he resident or does business in the state.
Over the weekend, three tests out of the total 19 samples sent to a private molecular laboratory at Nnewi, Anambra State, came out positive, sparking fear and apprehension across the state.
The development had brought Anambra’s COVID-19 tally to 5, with only one person discharged.
But in a chat with newsmen on Thursday, the State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C-Don Adinuba explained that the case was accompanying human remains in a vehicle from Lagos to Imo state.
According to him, when the case was given a form to fill on entering Anambra from Delta while his sample was taken, he falsely wrote Anambra as his destination.
“When he was contacted after the result of his test came out, he confessed he lied in the form. He mischievously switched off his phone and travelled back to Lagos. With the benefit of our sophisticated communication equipment, however, the Anambra State government traced him to Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, and the necessary information has been passed on to the authorities in Lagos State,” he noted.
Adinuba observed that valuable information to the citizenry is very key at this time, to enable contain the spread of the virus.
In his opinion, Anambra people are already cooperating very well with the authorities in this respect.
“The travel history of the second COVID-19 case was provided by vigilant and patriotic members of his community who knew he travelled to Kano towards the end of April and returned secretly to his base in the Awka Capital Territory on May 6, 2020. When he was tested for COVID-19, the result was positive, and he is now receiving good medical attention in one of our protective care centres. His wife has joined him in the centre. His friend was traced and tested for the contagion, and the result turned out positive. He also is receiving treatment in a protective care unit. The friend of the second case is one of the three persons who tested positive last weekend,” the Commissioner said.
He, however, regretted that although the majority of Anambra citizens have been very cooperative in the fight against COVID-19, there are individuals who, by failing to comply with the guidelines, directives and the relevant order on the prevention of the spread of the deadly disease, are putting the lives of millions of the people in the harm’s way.
In his words, “these include those who refuse to refuse to abide by the national curfew from 8pm to 6am, those who refuse to wear face masks and those who deliberately wear face coverings on their jaws, thereby are unable to cover their noses and mouths.
“To protect ndi Anambra from the untoward behaviour of these people which has colossal consequences, the state government has decided to set up mobile courts in various parts of the state to try offenders. The details of how the mobile courts will carry out their duties are being worked out by the Ministry of Justice.”
