Testing positive to COVID-19 is not death sentence, says Anambra health commissioner

ONITSHA, Nigeria – Anambra State Commissioner for Health Dr. Vincent Okpala has called on Anambra people to be cautious of the COVID-19 pandemic protocols.

Okpala gave the advice during the joint emergency preparedness and rapid response team meeting on COVID-19 held  in Awka Anambra State capital.

He said that the increased number of COVID-19 in the state was due to increased aggressive testing and that it has nothing to do with the number of people being affected.

According to him, what people should be concerned with  the percentage that tested positive  in the state and not the number. Okpala also stated  that COVID-19  cases in Anambra has risen  to 119  and that 77 people were discharged while only  12 death were recorded.

He said the pandemic exists and kills, but urged residents to take precautionary measure, stay  safe and alive. In attendance during the meeting include representatives of World Health Organization, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, UNICEF, Red Cross, Civil Society Organizations, among other critical bodies in the fight against Coronavirus pandemic in Anambra State.

According to the health Commissioner testing positive to Coronavirus is not a death sentence, urging people to report to healthcare centres immediately they notice any symptoms of the virus in their  bodies.

He stated that the virus was treatable especially at the early stage. In a remark, the State Co-ordinator of World Health Organization, Dr. Chukwumuanya Igboekwu  said that 69 percent of the  119  confirmed cases in the state  were men, while 31 were   women.

He recommended that health workers’ in the state be  protected against the virus  by giving them proper attention. He also disclosed that 12  health workers have already been  infected with the virus.

While the  Nigeria Centre for Disease Control Surveillance Support Officer, Mr Akpa Igwe requested that all interventions deployed by the group to fight COVID-19 should be in support of health system.

Present at the event were the Special Adviser to the Governor on Indigenous Medicine and Herbal Practice, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Executive Secretary Anambra State Health Insurance Agency, Dr Simeon Onyemaechi, Executive Secretary Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Chioma Ezenyimulu, among others.