The 4th and 5th cases of Coronavirus have been reported in Ebonyi state, as announced by state governor David Umahi.
The Governor informed the public about this during a phone call to the Situation Room, a program about coronavirus on the state’s broadcast stations. He also mentioned that both patients are in their twenties.
Regarding their source of infection, the governor explained that the 4th case contracted the virus when returning from Lagos, while the fifth case acquired it from the third case at the Pa Oruta Ngele Stadium Abakaliki temporary isolation area.
“The 4th case is a 22-year-old boy living in Ojo Lagos. He arrived in Ebonyi from Lagos through Nkalagu border on the 26th. Upon arrival, he boarded a bus to Ezzamgbo junction and then another bus to Ede Ishieke in Ebonyi local government,” said the governor.
He added that the man was intercepted at Ishieke by the state’s COVID-19 task force and taken to the stadium, where a sample was collected and tested positive.
As for the fifth case, Governor Umahi mentioned that she returned with her family from Énugu State and was placed in the holding area in Abakaliki as per the state government’s policy of testing anyone entering from outside the state.
“The fifth case is a 24-year-old hairdresser from Awgu in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area. She resides at No 30 Queens close Ọkpara Avenue in Enugu.”
“She was taken from Uburu to the stadium and had contact with the third case. Her test results came back positive this evening.”
Mr Umahi noted, however, that the family members she returned with tested negative. They will still be kept at the holding area and monitored for 14 days.
He also instructed the medical team to trace all the patients’ contacts.
While urging residents to remain vigilant and not panic, the governor assured them that the state government was taking all necessary measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
He provided reassurance that all confirmed cases are doing well at the isolation center.
“I am confident that within a week, they will be cleared to go home after testing negative twice,” he stated.