The Enugu State Ministry of Health has given an update on 2 new COVID-19 cases confirmed in the state as announced by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Recalling that the total number of cases confirmed in Enugu State is now 18, with 10 active cases and 8 discharged, the Ministry gave details of the new cases a statement signed by Commissioner for Health, Enugu State, Dr. Obi Emmanuel Ikechukwu.

He disclosed that the first new case, the case 17th, “is a 45-year-old male who hails from Igbo-Eze North LGA of Enugu State and lives in Lagos State but still managed to make his way to Enugu State on the 21st of May, 2020 despite the inter-state movement restriction.

“Concerned members of his community alerted the health authorities, since he too was already ill, leading to his assessment and testing.

“His result returned positive for COVID-19 on the 23rd of May 2020.

“The second new case (Case 18) is the 62-year-old Mother-in-Law of Case 16, who has become a positive contact.

“Case 16 as earlier reported, evaded the inter-state boundary restriction, all the way from Lagos State and across several other states (obviously assisted by unscrupulous individuals), to bury her recently deceased husband in their community in Igbo-Etiti LGA of Enugu State.

“Evading or assisting anyone to evade the inter-state movement restriction, is unlawful, of no known benefit and has instead contributed to the rising number of COVID-19 positive cases in the state”, the Commissioner narrated.

Dr. Ikechukwu noted that actions of violators of Inter-state travel ban are militating against the measures put in place by the Enugu State Government to prevent the spread of Coronavirus and “should be discouraged by all well-meaning inhabitants of the state.

“It is in our best interest to continue to comply with the directives of the Federal and Enugu State governments and the public health advisory of the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, and the Enugu State Ministry of Health.

“This is a time to encourage family members or friends, especially if ill, to remain where they are and seek health care.
To discourage family and friends who want to move the body of a deceased loved one several miles away in these times, for interment.”

The state government urged members of the public to stay at home when it is not absolutely necessary to go out and wear a facemask or covering whenever they must go out.

The Commissioner further reminded members of the public to always “keep a safe distance from other people at all times, which is social/physical distancing and avoid crowded places.

“Practice good respiratory hygiene (when coughing or sneezing).

“Clean surfaces with a 1 in 6 concentration of bleach and water.

”Wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds under running water as often as possible.

“And when facilities for handwashing are unavailable, sanitize your hands as often as possible using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

“When You do these, you protect me, and when I do these, I protect you”, Dr. Ikechukwu advised.