Coronavirus: Pregnant woman sneaks into Ekiti Puts many in trouble

1. I welcome you all to this very important press briefing to update you on
Ekiti State present status on COVID-19 and how far we have gone as a
State to contain the spread of the pandemic in our dear State.
2. The State recorded its first confirmed index case of Coronavirus or COVID
19 on March 15, 2020 and he was treated and discharged on 31st March,
2020.
3. Barely 24hrs after the first index case was discharged, the State recorded
its second case. He was also discharged on Tuesday, April 9, 2020 after
treatment.
4. Sadly, Ekiti State has confirmed a third COVID-19 positive case. This new
case is a pregnant 29-year-old female Community Health Worker in
Ikorodu Lagos State who sneaked into Ekiti State overnight on Friday
April, 10 2020 suspectedly to take advantage of our free maternal health
care in spite of the lockdown. She presented at a State Comprehensive
Primary Healthcare facility in active labour on Monday April 13, 2020.
After a prolonged labour with fatal distress, she was referred to a
teaching hospital but decided to go to a private hospital instead. A
caesarean section was performed on the patient and the baby was
delivered safely.
5. However, she suffered a cardiac arrest and was referred to the Federal
Teaching Hospital Ido Ekiti where she is currently unconscious. The
suspicion of COVID-19 infection and subsequent testing was at the
Federal Tertiary institution.
6. The Ekiti State COVID-19 Taskforce has already commenced contact
tracing of the new case as at this morning, we have over 30 primary
contacts on our list already. The baby is alive and under surveillance
while the private clinic has been sealed off and medical personnel who
interacted with this case during her obstetrics and gynaecology
emergency have been contacted and put in self isolation. By the time we
include secondary and tertiary contacts, this one case may have put
hundreds of unsuspecting people at risk of COVID-19 infection in Ekiti
State.
7. As at today, Ekiti State has had 29 suspected cases, 2 confirmed cases, and
49 contact tracing persons of interest before this new case. Thankfully,
all the contacts traced have not shown any symptoms of infection.
8. This unfortunate incident underscores the reasoning behind our
emphasis on protecting Ekiti State from an outbreak of the pandemic by
my directive of total lockdown of movement. The infidelity of our people
and the security personnel enabled this patient to gain access to our state
even during a boundary shut down, therefore putting the lives of so many
people at risk, and putting Ekiti State under the dreaded possibility of
community infection.
9. Due to this new case, Government may have to consider further extension
of the lockdown at least until all possible direct and indirect contacts of
this woman have been traced and placed in self-isolation as minimum
period of incubation is 14 days for every new infection.
10. As widely acknowledged, COVID-19 is spread from person to
person. The three (3) cases so far recorded in Ekiti State were from
people who contacted it elsewhere but incubated and manifested while
they were within our state. This underscore the need for every one of us
to respect and accept the lockdown order and principles of social
distancing.
11. The State Government is being proactive to curtail the spread of the
virus in the State. You are all aware that since the first signs of the
Coronavirus in Nigeria, Ekiti State Government started planning
preventive, containment and curative measures in the event of an
infection. We have mobilized instruments and resources to confront what
has now become both a health emergency and an economic crisis.
12. We are already working to increase the bed space of our isolation
centre from 10 to 120 beds in case of an exponential outbreak but our
best defense against the deadly disease is still prevention. tAs we speak,
COVID-19 has no cure. Though I am aware that Scientists around the
world are working very hard to develop a vaccine to combat the virus.
13. Reports of total disregard of the preventive directives especially at
our boundary towns is very discouraging. The wellbeing and protection
of Ekiti-kete is my priority and these measures were introduced to keep
everyone safe and we will not hesitate to enforce and punish further
violations of these directives in the collective interest of the State and its
residents. Two days ago, my brother Governors and I in the Southwest
agreed on total lockdown of inter state transportation except for those on
clearly designated essential duties. I just finished a meeting with all our
security chiefs and they have clear instructions on what to do with those
who flout the lockdown directives.
14. We are fully aware that such measures will cause some hardship
and inconvenience to many citizens. But this is a matter of life and death,
if we look at the dreadful daily toll of deaths in some countries and even
the increasing rate of the virus in Nigeria. As I am sure, many of you are
now aware, I lost a very dear friend early this morning and those who are
taking this lightly should note it is not a joke!
15. We are not unmindful of the citizens whose livelihoods will surely
be affected by some of these restrictive measures, we have deployed and
will continue to deploy relief materials to ease their pains. Food Bank
Packs from the State Government and Conditional Cash Transfer from the
Federal Government are some of the measures we using to cushion the
effect of the COVID 19 on our people.
16. I also call on all well-meaning individuals, Corporate Bodies and
Non-Governmental Organisations to support those who are vulnerable
within the State, helping them with whatever they may need.
17. Ekiti-kete, as a Government, we will avail all necessary resources
to support the response and recovery. We remain committed to do
whatever it takes to confront COVID-19 in our State.
18. We are very grateful to see the emerging support of the private
sector and individuals to the response as well as our development
partners. I sincerely thank our Baba, the Grand Patron the Resources
Mobilisation Committee, Aare Afe Babalola, Chief ‘Wole Olanipekun,
Architect Dipo Ajayi, Chief Bayo Awosemusi and all others who have
channelled their resources to fight the coronavirus in our dear State.
19. I will therefore implore you again to strictly comply with the
guidelines issued and also do your bit to support Government and the
most vulnerable in your communities.
20. I use this opportunity to commend all our public health workforce,
health care workers, Security agencies and other essential staff on the
frontlines of the response for their dedication and commitment. We are
still not there as more are expected from us all. Together we can fight and
win the deadly virus.
21. Gentlemen of the Press, I thank you all for listening.