A’Ibom records 14 new cases of COVID-19 infection

Ini Billie, Uyo

Akwa Ibom State has recorded 14 new cases of COVID-19 infection in what seems to be a resurgence of the pandemic in the state.

Speaking on Thursday in Uyo, the Commissioner for Health, Prof Augustine Umoh said that the 14 infected persons have been quarantined in their homes, even as contact tracing of their families and persons they have had contact with continues.

Umoh, however, allayed the fears of the people against being infected, saying the government will revive the protocols that helped to bring down the number of infected cases.

“As I speak, the 14 cases that we have now are on home isolation and monitoring. The process of contact tracing has started again for those that we could pick those that are positive for management, follow up and monitoring.

“We have about 14 active cases in the state. So, this is something we have brought to the notice of all Akwa Ibom residents for them to be prepared.

“We are not surprised. What is important now is for us to get to the former tempo that assisted us to bring the number of patients down,” he stated.

The commissioner explained that the Ministry of Health has already commenced another round of public enlightenment to create awareness as the mode of transmission of the disease has not changed.

He disclosed that the Ministry has made adequate preparations to handle the pandemic and urged residents to fortify themselves, saying the state has prepared laboratories for testing as well as hospitals before the disease escalates.

He challenged citizens to revert to the COVID- 19 protocols of regular hand washing, social distancing, and use of face masks and hand sanitisers.

“The disease is still transmitted through personal contact, nasal passage, air, and more.

“The facilities are ready, medicare is in place, while the contact tracing mechanism has been reactivated. The laboratory testing has helped us to know those who are positive for isolation.

“What we are doing now is public enlightenment to make sure that people come to terms with the fact that this is what is happening in Akwa Ibom state,” he stated.