By Chris Ugwuja, Nsukka

The Enugu State Ministry of Health has confirmed 3 new cases of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in the state. They all have travel history.

Two of the new cases are male patients admitted for other severe underlying conditions. They are being treated at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu, and those on a high index of suspicion were transferred to the hospital’s holding area while the State’s rapid response team was contacted for sample collection.

The other case is also a male patient who developed symptoms and contacted the COVID-19 emergency number. He was assessed and subsequently invited for sample collection.

The results came out positive today. On a sad note, one of the patients in UNTH with severe underlying conditions had died before the results returned.

Two of these cases hail from Nkanu West LGA of Enugu State and the other from Enugu North LGA.

Two of them came into Enugu State from Lagos while the other person came in from Rivers State.

On a positive note, 3 more cases have tested negative and consequently discharged from the isolation and treatment centres.

Thus, the current state of COVID-19 cases in Enugu State is as follows: 30 reported cases, 13 active, 16 discharged and 1 death.

To avoid COVID-19, do not forget to;

Stay home when it is not absolutely necessary to go out
Wear a facemask/covering whenever you must go out
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.

If despite your efforts, however, you develop symptoms or know anyone who may have developed symptoms, please call the following numbers;

08182555550 or 0902233383 or the NCDC number 080097000010

Someone will speak with you and get your details.

Stay Safe!
Chris Ugwuja.