Corona Virus: Imo to Establish Specialist Hospital, Closes All Educational Institutions Till Further Notice

As part of efforts to nip the spread of the Corona virus
pandemic in the bud, the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has ordered
the immediate closure of all primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in
the state. He also announced plan to establish a Specialist Hospital for this
disease.

Governor Uzodimma who made a broadcast to the people of Imo
State on measures to prevent and control the Corona virus disease (COVID-19),
Friday stated that he is taking elaborate steps to ensure that the health and
wellbeing of Imolites remain priority of his administration.

He stated: “As a responsible Government, we have done our
home work and I can assure you that there is truly no cause for alarm. All the
necessary measures have been put in place to ensure that the virus does not
find a breeding space in Imo State. Be rest assured that we shall not leave any
stone unturned in ensuring that our people are safe, well protected by
providing the necessary tool and expertise needed for maximum protection from
Corona Virus pandemic.”

He further reiterated that he has inaugurated a star-studded
Corona virus Protection and Control Committee headed by Prof. Maurice Iwu to
commence round the clock surveillance of all strata of the state for effective
prevention and control of the disease.

To this end, Governor Uzodimma said that arrangements have
been put in place to test all passengers arriving at the Sam Mbakwe
International Cargo Airport, Owerri for symptoms of the virus.

The Governor assured that “any passenger that manifests
signs of the disease will first be taken to a bay that has been set up at the
Airport for further examination. If confirmed that the symptoms are manifest,
the passenger will immediately be taken to the test centres and if positive,
quarantined at the isolation centre.”

 On some of the
actions already taken by the government for prevention and control of COVID-19
pandemic, Governor Uzodimma stated: “A State-of-the-art modern Ambulance has
been provided for the Committee to facilitate its operations. This Ambulance is
equipped with necessary medical gadgets for quick analysis and test for the
virus and will be on 24 hours standby to respond to any emergency anywhere in
the state. In addition, we are liaising with the National Centre for Disease
Control to ensure that we buy into the Federal Government’s Corona Virus
prevention roadmap. Similarly, we are tracking global updates on the disease so
as to remain ever vigilant on global efforts, control and eradication.”

Governor Uzodimma further noted that arrangements have been
concluded to establish a Specialist Hospital specifically charged with control
and prevention of the contagious disease. This, he said will ensure that
neither Corona virus nor any other contagious virus will be a threat to Imo
people in the future.

Further to these measures, Governor Uzodimma affirmed that
“an isolation centre has been set up within the State Capital to quarantine any
person who tests positive to the virus. A test centre has equally been set up
in Owerri to examine those with symptoms of the virus.”

As an additional preventive measure,, Governor Uzodimma
advised that residents returning from Overseas must be self-isolated for 14
days and contact the  RAPID RESPONSE
CENTRE (RRC) arm of the Committee if need be.

Consequently, the Ministry of Health has been directed to
immediately provide hand sanitizers to all government ministries and agencies.
Similarly, hotels in the state are to provide hand-washing platforms and
sanitizers where guests can regularly wash their hands.

To ensure effective monitoring of human traffic in and out
of Imo State, bus operators are directed to maintain travel manifest as well as
provide hand sanitizers on board their buses.

Governor Uzodimma, who earlier inaugurated the nine-man
Corona Virus Prevention and Control Committee led by Prof. Maurice Iwu charged
them to undertake rigorous public enlightenment campaign, assuring that he will
spare no resources to facilitate the Committee’s assignment which is to ensure
that the Corona Virus disease does not gain a foothold in Imo State.