By Hamilton Nwosa(Head, The New Diplomat’s Business and data tracking desk)
Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has ordered a one week total lockdown, following the outbreak of the dreadful Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Diri imposed the lockdown on Monday during a state wide broadcast, revealing the COVID-19 index case in Bayelsa is a 49 years old female.
The Governor, in his address, pleaded with Bayelsans to continue to adhere to the established preventive protocols against the virus.
The address reads: “I announce with regret that we have joined the league of states with the COVID-19 pandemic. This is coming over eight weeks since the first case was announced in Nigeria.
“The index case in Bayelsa is a 49 years old female. She has since been evacuated to the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH) Isolation Center for further management.
“As a procedure to stop the spread, we have started tracing all her contacts while necessary environmental decontamination will be carried out immediately at the Bayelsa Specialist Hospital where she was hospitalized.
“Following the latest sad development, I have placed a one week compulsory stay at home, except those on essential duties, beginning from midnight today.
“I plead with Bayelsans and others who reside in the state to continue to adhere to the established preventive protocols against the virus.
“It is a battle we can win but to achieve that feat, we must work together with complimentary efforts. This is not the time to panic. It is also not the time to spread falsehood. I assure you that it will end in victory!”
