Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has aid that he has no need to self isolate himself from the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic as he had no close contact with any of the affected persons.
Uzodinma, who spoke through the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, said that he has however instructed the Maurice Iwu-led COVID-19 committee to ensure that all necessary steps were taken to keep the state free from the spread of the virus.
According to him, all the necessary preventive equipment have been provided for the committee, including 27 ambulances for each of the 27 local government areas of the state to ensure the evacuation of emergency cases to the testing and isolation centre at the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri and other health facilities in the state.
He said that all government appointees have also been instructed to get the message down to their constituents.
Meanwhile the newly constituted committee set up by the Imo State COVID-19 committee has reassured the citizens on their readiness to safeguard the citizens from the pandemic.
In a press conference held at Government House Owerri, yesterday, the Chairman of the Task Force, Prof. Maurice Iwu said that the state has taken necessary measures to keep the virus away from the state.
He said that aside the effort made to massively sensitize the people about the scourge, there is need for the people to adhere strictly to hygienic and sanitary protocols of regular washing of hands, social distance, minimize unnecessary travels, applying hand sanitizer, wearing face mask, coughing into the elbow among others.
Iwu advised that people above the age of 60 should consider staying at home as part of the measure to prevent the virus, pointing out that plan is underway to de-congest the workforce of the state during this period and ensure that all schools comply with the state’s directive.
According to him, the state has also provided isolation centres and is making efforts to build infectious diseases specialist hospitals that would help to manage the eventuality of the virus or its like in the state in the future.
He equally advised the people not to panic over the pandemic, or indulge in rumour mongering.
