The Akw Ibom State government has begun the construction of a 300-bed isolation centre at the Ituk Mbang General Hospital to complement the existing ones in Uyo and Ikot Ekpene local government areas.
Secretary to state government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem disclosed this in Uyo yesterday while giving an update on the preparation by the state to contain the spread of coronavirus disease.
He said the government had deployed the available resources at its disposal to put the situation under control.
Ekuwem also disclosed the state government had procured and distributed large numbers of requisite tools and equipment such as the Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs) and ventilators to the relevant health institutions in the state.
On the five persons who tested positive for the virus, Ekuwem said they had been quarantined and would be subjected to reconfirmation tests after 14days.
“All five reported positive test cases of COVID 19 in the state have been taken into quarantine.
“They are all hale and hearty while awaiting the conduct of a reconfirmation test. Even though they have not shown any noticeable symptoms, they are under close observation by a team of highly specialized medical experts.
“Since they were tested to be positive and we do not want the contagion to spread, we needed to get them quarantined and monitor them and after 14days they will be subjected to a reconfirmation test.
“Construction work has commenced on a- 300-bed Isolation Centre in Ituk Mbang to complement existing Isolation Centres in Ikot Ekpene and Ibom Specialist Hospital, Uyo.
“We have so far procured and distributed large numbers of Personal Protection Equipments (PPEs) and other requisite tools and equipment to relevant health institutions in the state. Akwa Ibom has 19 ventilators that are functional to address the needs of patients who may show symptoms,” he said.
Ekuwem also disclosed that the state government had made plans to provide relief materials including rice, garri, flour to villages to cushion the effects of the Quarantine and Restriction Movement Regulation.
Besides, he said a disbursement committee that will oversee the disbursement of the items directly to all the villages will be announced in due course.
He said that the Rice Mill, Flour Mill as well as the various garri factories established by the present administration were meeting the needs of the people and contributing in no small way in cushioning the effect of the lockdown.
“We have received donations from several well-meaning corporate bodies and private individuals. However we count on all corporate organisations in the state to lend support in cash or in kind,” said.
