Lockdown Extension: Fear Grips Deltans As Confirmed Cases Rise To Six

  Ononye said the new cases brought the total confirmed cases in the state to six, with one death and five active cases, adding that the active cases were being treated at isolation centres in the state.

Read also: Nigeria’s Covid-19 Cases Hit A Milestone, Tops 1000

He said, “All the active cases are in stable condition and receiving treatment from our team of medical professionals at our isolation centres across the state, adding that  “We have 11 persons quarantined in our holding centres, while 140 contacts are being monitored across the state.”

However, The New Diplomat investigation show that two new cases, one male and the othe, a female, were discovered  a few days ago. The female (name withheld) was reported to have left her place of residence in Bendel Estate to visit a friend in Otor-Udu when she had a strong cough.

She was said to have visited Otor-Udu General Hospital where she was diagnosed of pneumonia and referred to Central Hospital, Warri for proper management.

According to reports, she was tested for Covid-19 and the result was allegedly positive. Thereafter, she was placed on isolation.

But while speaking in an audio message in a Whatsapp group page, the so-called patient refuted the report that linked her to the infection, saying she had a normal cough from pneumonia she had sometime ago even before the Advent of Covid-19.  She is demanding to see the result of the test conducted on her which was alleged to be positive.

She pleaded with Gov. Okowa to use his power to urge the hospital to release her.

She said: “I want Okowa himself to come to my aid to see this thing. I don’t have Coronavirus. I want to see the result of my test. I want Okowa to come and see me. I want them to release me so that I can go home.”

The second case which was reported to be a male was said to be residing in Effurun. The state Commissioner of Health in his speech had assured that the two new  cases in addition to three already confirmed cases who are being isolated in a state-owned medical facility were doing well.

“All the patients of the active cases are in stable condition and are receiving treatment from our team of medical professionals at our isolation centres across the state”, he said.

With this turn of events, Deltans are scared the government might consider another extension of the state lockdown ostensibly to track those who had contacts with the new cases.

This is against the background that most communities who are seriously affected by the adverse effects of the stay-at-home home order are already getting agitated as the first extension of 14 days enters its 9th day.

Aggrieved Deltans in Sapele recently took to the street in protest urging the government to lift the stay at home order to enable them go out to eke  living for themselves. A youth was allegedly killed by security agent in that protest.

The New Diplomat gathered that likely moves by the state government to impose another extension of stay at home order in the state is being viewed with apprehension which might trigger some discontent .

“The people are more provoked by the state government’s distribution of food items which was generally considered as a mockery on the people’s sensitivity”, a source told The New Diplomat.

Recall that the State government  had last week promised to embark on well-stocked food bank in the state with flagging off  the distribution of food to the people.  However, when the food was reportedly distributed , it elicited bitter complains. Many were said to have complained about the quality  of food items distributed across the State. They complained that a cup of rice, a cup of beans and cup of garri  which were allegedly to individuals were grossly in-adequate to address their food security challenges.

In Ozoro, Isoko North LGA, the food was not only rejected but scattered along the road by aggrieved persons who complained about the quantity.  But in a swift response, some government officials explained that the state government was looking into the situation and would  take appropriate measures to correct any anomaly if any is established. According to them, efforts are on-going to address perceived shortcomings.

Meanwhile, Gov. Okowa had said that following the decision of the recent meeting of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, there would be total lockdown of inter-state boundaries across the country.

Speaking through the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, the government has assured that it has put together a law that will compel  Deltans to put on face masks, adding that the government was preparing up to one million masks to distribute to Deltans.

“The government is forwarding a bill to the House of Assembly for the purpose of enacting a law firm the compulsory wearing of nose mask whenever anybody wants to appear in the public”, he said.