Abia sets to discharge oldest Southeast COVID-19 patient

The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has announced that the oldest COVID-19 index case patient in the state and the Southeast in general.

Ikpeazu in a Press Conference held at the Government House in Umuahia said that the septuagenarian has tested negative twice and in line with the National Center for Disease Control guidelines.

He stated that the state government has introduced a tele-health mobile Application in order to increase healthcare service delivery to its citizenry.

The Abia State Governor further hinted that he would be holding a stakeholders meeting with persons in the key economic sectors of the state to determine what steps that the state is going to take as the state hopes to ease off the ongoing lockdown in the state.

Meanwhile, the state government announced that it has been able to trace two hundred and six-two (262) persons that have contacts with the two COVID-19 index cases in the state.

This was disclosed by the state Information Commissioner, Chief John Okiyi Kalu in a press release.

Okiyi in the release further disclosed that they are actively following two hundred and twenty-one persons.

The state information commissioner added that the sample of a Police Officer of Bayelsa State Origin who died at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba among other 31 high-risk samples so far taken and tested from contacts of the index cases returned negative.

He further stated that the state Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has approved the deployment of medical doctors on the payroll of the state government to work in conjunction with other health personnel in caring for the index patients, two units of patient monitors, one oxygen concentrator and medications in respect of the two index patients admitted in their isolation center, adding that the state is collaborating with NCDC to train relevant medical personnel in the handling of COVID-19 cases in the state.

“Our index cases, both of who were patients of Federal Medical Center (FMC), Umuahia, are stable and receiving care at the isolation facility of the hospital and we are optimistic that even as geriatric patients who are above 70 years old and with underlying medical conditions, God will use the firm and experienced hands of our medics to bring them back to good health

“In appreciation of the work and sacrifices of the frontline staff of FMC and others involved in the management of the index patients and their contacts, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has instituted a special hazard allowance for the concerned staff of FMC along with the case management pillar lead and members of the Abia State Emergency Operations Centre with effect from 20th April, 2020.

“In addition to the above support, Governor Ikpeazu has deployed the following materials to FMC to support the institution in the management of the patients: Two units of patient monitors, one oxygen concentrator and medications in respect of the two index patients admitted in their isolation center, Medical doctors on the payroll of the state government are working in conjunction with other health personnel in caring for the patients.

“In collaboration with NCDC, the state sponsored the training of relevant medical personnel in the handling of COVID-19 cases

“All the 31 high-risk samples so far taken and tested from contacts of the index cases returned negative results, including those of the spouse, care giver as well as some medical personnel who managed them. More samples are going out today for screening and we will update as appropriate.

“The sample of the late police officer of Bayelsa State origin who died while in holding at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, returned a negative result.

“We have traced 262 contacts and actively following 212 of them who are under surveillance and isolation,” the release read.