The Federal Ministry of Health through the Nigeria Centre Disease Control (NCDC) has recently alerted the country of the confirmation of the virulent Delta variant of SARS Cov-2 in the country.
The Delta variant is recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a variant of concern, given its increased transmissibility. It has been detected in over 90 countries and is expected to spread to more countries. It has also been linked to a surge in cases in countries where it is the dominant strain in circulation.
NCDC has also announced an increase in the number of cases being recorded in the country in the last one week. Over 120 cases daily were recorded by NCDC in the last 48 hours as opposed to less than 50 before now. Over 60% of these are from neighbouring states such as Lagos.
Ogun State has experienced a gradual rise in cases with 15 new cases in the last two weeks compared to two cases in the whole month of June 2021 while four persons are currently being managed in the isolation Centre that has been empty in the last one month. Also, we have recorded two new deaths in the last three weeks.
Given that our many lands cross one another, and the fact that eight of our local government areas (LGAs) share a border with Lagos State with a major international airport and the highly mobile community between them, it becomes pertinent to proactively curtail the spread of COVID-19 virus among our people.
While NCDC is currently working frantically to ensure surveillance of the variants in the country, Ogun State Government is re-energizing her response team at State and LGA levels for prompt and effective response. Risk communication is being embarked upon at the community level through the LGA rapid response team. We are working with the Federal Port Health Authority to ensure passengers are screened at the land crossings in the State. Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC) focal persons in our health facilities have been alerted to step up IPC measures while we have deployed Rapid test Kits to major secondary and tertiary Health facilities to test patients who are to undergo surgeries, patients with symptoms suggestive of COVID 19 and persons who want to know their status.
We are also embarking on mobilization for test at our five-high burdened LGAs (Abeokuta South, Ado-Odo/Ota, Ikenne, Obafemi Owode and Sagamu).
We urge all Ogun State residents to ensure strict adherence to public health and social measures in place.
Proven public health and social measures such as physical distancing, frequent hand washing, and proper use of face masks, prevent infections and save lives.
We enjoin our community leaders, religious leaders, media houses and other stakeholders to join hands with the State Government to encourage strict compliance to proper handwashing. Regular and correct use of face mask, two meters physical distancing in public places and avoid crowded gatherings.
Let me also use this forum to encourage our people to avail themselves of the opportunity of getting vaccinated for COVID-19.
The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective and offers protection against the disease.
The Ogun State Ministry of Health is monitoring the trend and shall continue to update our esteemed residents from time to time.
Comments
Post a Comment