1. We recorded one new confirmed case of COVID-19 on Tuesday, 26th May, 2020, and an additional two on Wednesday, 27th May, 2020, thereby bringing our total confirmed cases to 10 with 4 discharged.
One new confirmed patient escaped from a holding facility in Aba and is yet to be apprehended.
2. The new confirmed cases are residents of Aba with no record of recent travel outside the state, hence, might be possible cases of community infection.
3. All the active cases in isolation at the Abia State Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, Amachara, are clinically stable while the remaining index patient who is above 71 years old and with underlying medical condition has been declared COVID-19 free and discharged from isolation at Federal Medical Center, Umuahia.
4. Contact tracing has commenced for the new confirmed cases with samples collection ongoing while the private medical facility in Aba where one of them was previously being managed for other medical issues has been decontaminated and temporarily closed down.
5. We are awaiting results for samples collected from contacts of the confirmed patients and will inform as appropriate when received.
6. We urge all citizens and residents to take necessary measures to protect themselves as we have evidence of community infection within our state.
We are also concerned about recent COVID-19 related events in a neighboring state and wish to emphasize the need for total vigilance while we work hard to protect our people.
7. Wearing of face mask before leaving your house is compulsory and we strongly advice that you wear it properly at all times as you may not know who is infected or not. It is also important to observe social distancing regulations and wash your hands regularly under running water or use original hand sanitizers.
8. Our medical rapid response team will continue with ongoing case searches across the state while we await delivery of molecular testing equipment already paid for by the state.
9. We remain confident that, with the grace of God, we have the capacity to nurse our patients back to good health even as we continue to expand our capacity to safely isolate and manage those who are infected.
10. We call on all citizens to avoid stigmatizing COVID-19 patients, their family members and communities, as this disease is not a death sentence on anyone and nobody in our state or country is responsible for the outbreak of the global pandemic.
11. Rather than engage in stigmatization of patients and rumor mongering, please, call 0700 2242 362 if you experience symptoms of coronavirus infection or know someone who is manifesting same.
12. Our state is grateful to men and women working in the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19 at great risk to themselves and their families. We urge all to continue to remember them in your prayers.
13. COVID-19 is REAL but you can help prevent it from infecting you or your loved ones and help to stop the spread: TAKE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY TODAY.
Thank you.
Chief John Okiyi Kalu
Honorable Commissioner for Information, Abia State
28/05/2020
