COVID-19: AKSG Takes Custody Of 63,336 Doses Of Modena Vaccine

…places State on Red Alert to battle 3rd wave

The Akwa Ibom State Government, AKSG, has taken delivery of 63,336 doses of Modena vaccine. The vaccines were received at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo by the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Coordinator, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association and other stakeholders in the health sector. Also, the Government has placed the State on Red Alert as it prepares to contain the Third wave of the Corona Virus pandemic.

Addressing the media at his 25th Akwa Ibom State Covid-19 Management Update, the Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Covid-19 Committee and Secretary to State Government, SSG, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, said all hands must be on deck to contain the Third wave of the pandemic as “The time to act is now!”

He admonished that the situation calls fr caution on the part of all as it has since been confirmed by NCDC that the Delta variant of covid-19 virus found in other parts of the country is in the State which partly explains the rapid increase in the number of cases in Akwa Ibom because of its high infectivity rate.

“It has therefore, become imperative that we take actions to rein in the spread of the infection in the state. We have however noted, sadly, that the necessary precautions and guidelines earlier recommended are hardly being adhered to by most people thereby jeopardizing our health and making the control of the pandemic very difficult. In view of the above, government is taking the more proactive steps to combat the pandemic going forward”, he said.

According to Dr Ekuwem, part of measures put it place includes rapping up vaccination which would be made possible by the 63,336 doses of the Modena vaccine the state received, noting that the vaccine is safe and effective and will be available at designated areas in the State capital and in the different LGAs.

He called for enforcement of Covid-19 guidelines which includes; the proposed use face mask, washing of hands regularly with soap and clean running water, the use of appropriate alcohol-based hand sanitizer, adherence to social distancing of not less than one meter at all times and avoiding overcrowded areas especially indoors.

Others include the adherence to social distancing in tricycles and in Mini-buses, the need for Religious houses to run at half capacity and services should last not more than one hour, the compliance with all Covid-19 preventive measures by Hotels, sit-outs, clubs, schools, transport companies, supermarkets, Banks, pharmacies and the urgent need to report any suspicious symptoms such as fever, cough, difficulty in breathing and body pains and weakness to the nearest Covid-19 facility.

“All Covid-19 monitoring mechanisms were reactivated to ensure strict compliance with Covid-19 guidelines and protocols. Enforcement teams shall henceforth apprehend anyone flouting this directive. Businesses, worship places and corporate organizations risk shut down if not compliant with the directives above”, he warned.