As the figure of Coronavirus victims keeps increasing Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has warned residents not to spread unverified news.
AbdulRazaq, in a series of tweets posted on his Twitter handle @RealAARahman on Tuesday, also urged the people to play their roles in combating the deadly virus by staying at home, keeping social distancing, avoiding a crowded places and prioritising personal hygiene.
The governor, while reacting to the recent case of COVID-19 in the state, said, “Our job is cut out for us and we are definitely not dropping the ball.
“Contact tracing by the Rapid Response Team of the medical advisory committee has so far netted 75 persons who have had contacts with the cases and the suspected case at UITH.
“Fellow Kwarans, this is a trying moment for the whole of mankind. But, we are definitely not helpless or without reasonable preparation in Kwara State.
“We are also blessed with committed professionals who are up to the task and willing to stand up and be counted at this time.
“COVID-19 is a global pandemic. Contracting it is neither a death sentence, nor an indication of guilt. We urge Kwarans to avoid crowded space, isolate themselves, and call our helplines if they have just returned from places of interest in the last three weeks.
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“The government is extending the ongoing fumigation exercise to these places of interest, including the relevant locations in Offa and Ilorin, where contamination may have occurred as a result of this infectious disease.
“Notwithstanding our preparation, we are not ashamed to say that Kwara State will be glad to get all the help it can receive at this moment. We commend everyone who has been doing so much in this regard and we call for more.”
AbdulRazaq, however, disclosed that as part of his administration’s efforts to flatten the curve of transmission, “I have signed the newly prepared Kwara State Infectious Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Regulation 2020 on Monday April 6 to provide legal backings for the local management of the global health situation.
“This is an emergency and the regulation, built around some enabling laws like the Quarantine Act of 2004, empowers us to invoke various drastic measures in the days ahead, if occasion calls for it.
“Highlights of the regulation include sanctions for anyone caught endangering public safety in whatever form or seeking to unfairly profit from our collective vulnerability and need for essential commodities at this time.
“The government is doubling down in the ongoing sensitisation of the public across all media platforms on the danger of this virus. We need everyone to join this public advocacy in their various localities without exposing themselves or others to danger,” he added.
