By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has warned that his government may consider shutting down markets and churches in the state for a second time if people continue to flout the agreement reached before markets and churches were allowed to open for activities.

The governor handed out the warning during a special broadcast on COVID-19 on Monday.

He said: “The information we received from different quarters indicate that our people have started lowering their guard on the Covid-19 protocols. I have it on good authority that traders in various markets no longer comply with the enforcement of the wearing of face masks and the washing of hands.

“I want to warn that we may consider shutting down the markets if this trend is not halted with immediate effect. I have also received similar reports from churches and other religious groups in the state most of whom have discarded the wearing of face masks.”

Obano also called on the leadership of all religious bodies in Anambra State to ensure compliance with the standard protocols of COVID-19 without further delay.

He revealed that the state currently has 8 patients in the Protective Care Centers, 69 individuals on home quarantine and 2 individuals in the facility based quarantine.

The Governor said that his government is ramping up testing capacity to ensure that the spread of the pandemic in the state saying that the Covid-19 Committees set up in Wards and Local Government areas across the state are helping in driving the campaign to every nook and cranny of the state.

He stressed that a likely outcome of running more Covid-19 tests will be more reported cases in Anambra State.

He added: “I would like to assure you that we have made adequate arrangements to handle the challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Ndi Anambra, unu atuna egwu. We shall overcome this virus by the grace of God

“Ndi Anambra, we are ramping up our testing capacity to ensure that we slow down the spread of this pandemic in our dear state. The COVID-19 Committees that we have set up in Wards and Local Governments across Anambra State are helping us in driving the campaign to every nook and cranny of the state. Ndi Anambra, a likely outcome of running more COVID-19 tests is that there will be more reported cases in Anambra State.”

Obiano reiterated that under the new COVID-19 Law, it is an offence to be seen in the public without a face mask adding that the offence attracts a fine of ten thousand naira or some hours of community service.

He enjoined hospitals in the state to set up a mini holding ward where patients whose samples have been taken for a COVID-19 test can be kept while the result of the test is awaited.

According to him, the approach will minimise the chances of patients spreading the virus through multiple contacts.

While saying his government is looking for volunteer doctors, nurses, cleaners and other medical personnel whose services are needed in the management of Covid-19 patients in hospitals, the governor said the state will soon organize a specialized training on how to manage COVID-19 cases in Anambra State.

“Ndi Anambra, all members of the Nigerian Medical Association practicing in Anambra State are expected to inform the Ministry of Health once they collect samples of suspected COVID-19 patients for testing.

“A situation where some members had collected samples and sent to the testing centers on their own is no longer be allowed. All COVID-19 efforts in Anambra State with regards to the collection of samples and the presentation of specimen to NCDC must be centralized going forward.

“As we heavy up our efforts to combat COVID-19 in our dear state, we have set up a mechanism that will challenge our people to bring out their ingenuity in manufacturing Personal Protective Equipment, PPE.

“Throughout history, our people have responded to challenges that force us to look inwards for solutions that will guarantee our survival. I have no doubt that we have enough talent in Anambra State to provide us some durable Personal Protective Equipment within the shortest possible time,” Obiano stated.

The Governor further commended the efforts of the healthcare workers who he described as the state’s frontline of defence structure against Coronavirus.

He said: “Ndi Anambra, our knowledge of this pandemic has continued to grow in recent times. It has been discovered that when we boost our immune system, we give our bodies a chance to resist all infections including the COVID-19 virus. I would advise that we eat healthy food and take the right supplements including vitamins, to give our bodies the weapon to fight infections.

“We have responded very well to the difficulties imposed on our way of life by this pandemic. We have fought back to reckoning by complying with the standard response prescribed by the WHO and the NCDC for Covid-19. I have no doubt that if we continue to maintain the same level of discipline we will be giving ourselves enough headroom to overcome this pandemic.”

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