No fewer than 17 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to Edo State who showed symptoms of COVID-19 have been admitted at the Stella Obasanjo Hospital, Irrua, the chief medical director, Dr. Osagie Ebomwonyi, has said.
Ebomwonyi who spoke yesterday in the company of Governor Godwin Obaseki during an inspection of the state’s infectious disease isolation center at the hospital in Benin admitted that even though the confirmed cases are unvaccinated, they are undertaking studies and analysis to find out if there is Delta variant in the state. A personal assistant to the Edo State coordinator of the youth scheme, Mr. Ozeto Waheed, who confirmed the disease’s presence, said that the 17 corps members serving in the state are currently receiving treatment.
“When prospective corps members report, they are expected to be tested at the gate and anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 is usually taken to the isolation center for further confirmation,” he added.
Governor Obaseki was convinced of the readiness of the government to deal effectively with the Delta variant of coronavirus (COVID-19), stating that there has been no confirmed case of the deadly variant of the virus in the state. He said, “We are beginning to see an increasing number of cases of the Delta variant in the country; this has become worrisome, hence the need to begin thorough analysis and study of the situation and use the data and information collected to make decisions on issues.
“One of the decisions to be made is the nature and preparation of facilities to receive patients for treatment in case we find ourselves in a difficult condition. The Delta variant is very contagious and spreads very wide, with a greater impact on those that are yet to be vaccinated. “We are here at this center to check the readiness of the facilities and the availability of oxygen, as well as ensure that we have all it takes to move 100 patients for treatment.”
As part of efforts to vaccinate more Edo people to protect them from the deadly virus, Obaseki revealed that he spoke with the National Primary Healthcare Agency last week on the initiative. The governor said that about four million vials of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are expected in Abuja, adding that the government was making arrangements to go and pick up its consignment to vaccinate more people.
He said, “We don’t have to wait for the national logistics to come and deliver to us. I have made arrangements to hire a plane to go bring them; if I have to personally go and collect those vaccines, I will do so.”
Ada Peter
