Abia Govt To Set Up Two Molecular Laboratories,Harps On Aggressive Testing Of Citizens

The Deputy Governor of Abia State, Rt Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu, has harped on aggressive continuous testing for coronavirus in communities in order to identify those infected with the disease.

Oko Chukwu who disclosed this while briefing newsmen after a review meeting with members of the state inter-ministerial committee on COVID-19 called on citizens, especially those living in Aba to take necessary measures to protect themselves as according to him the infection outlook in the commercial city is not looking good.

“Currently we have recorded 166 confirmed cases in the state with 20 patients discharged from our isolation facilities but we are not alarmed by the recent upsurge in the infection rate as we have increased aggressive testing across the state and also believe we have what it takes to nurse our patients back to health.

“Based on reports available to us, our major concern is Aba which appears particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 infection and we wish to call on those living there to take necessary measures to protect themselves.

“On our own, we will continue to pursue aggressive testing as a key measure of identifying and control the spread of COVID-19 in our state,” he said.

He announced that the two molecular laboratory equipment procured by the state will be arriving this weekend from the United States of America and assured that the state will deploy the rapid response team to all the local government areas to ensure that the target set by Governor Ikpeazu of testing at least 10 per cent of the population is achieved.

He also assured that Governor Ikpeazu will soon return to work and expressed the willingness of the administration to procure necessary materials to support the medical protocol team of the committee to continue to respond to the challenge of COVID-19 in the state.

Others who were present during the briefing are Secretary to the State Government and chairman of the inter ministerial committee, Barr Chris Ezem, Commissioners for Health, Dr Joe Osuji, Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu and Finance, Dr Aham Uko