AKWA IBOM STATE COVID-19 UPDATE : 13

To God be the Glory, we have so far managed to curtail the negative impact of the COVID19 surge in our state. Even though our human and material resources have been stretched, but HE, the Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has remained undaunted and has continued to forge ahead with faith and great enthusiasm that we shall soon see light at the end of the tunnel.

CASE MANAGEMENT
Our investment in continuous upgrade of health care infrastructure has been a major plus in our fight against COVID 19.
Our current statistics indicate that we are on track in overcoming the unfortunate spike in numbers we had recently.
As at today our case statistics are as follows
❌Cumulative Confirmed cases: 45
❌Discharged cases: 37
❌Deaths: 2
❌Total Active Cases : 6
It’s important to note here that these numbers are exactly what we have on ground currently though the NCDC may not have updated their portal accordingly as at the time of this press briefing.
We trust they will do so in due course.

POINTS OF ENTRY SCREENING
We are not relenting in our round-the-clock entry points surveillance.
However, we have observed a very disturbing trend where security operatives use of their personal cars, and in some cases official vehicles, to transport passengers illegally through our entry points into the state.
In view of this development, HE, The Governor has directed that henceforth, all vehicles coming into the state; including security vehicles and those driven or owned by security personnel, will be subjected to the prescribed COVID-19 entry points protocols.
While it is not our intention to embarrass any security operative, but we trust that we will enjoy their maximum cooperation in the best interest of the larger society.
We continue to count on their professionalism and commitment to the call-of-duty in keeping our state safe.
We enjoin Citizens and Residents not to rest on their oars in contributing their quota to our fight to shut the doors of our state against the raging COVID 19 pandemic.

REOPENING OF CHURCHES
Churches in the state reopened last Sunday, June 07, 2020 based on guidelines recommended by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) which were backed by an undertaking to comply; signed by representatives of all the blocs.
Reports from all the 3 senatorial districts in the state indicate that there were gaps in compliance.
All churches are reminded of the need to close the gaps and ensure strict adherence to the guidelines.
The monitoring teams have been mandated to leave no stones unturned in ensuring undiluted compliance.
We wish to also reiterate that the BAN on BURIALS, WEDDINGS and indeed all forms of SOCIAL GATHERINGS is STILL FULLY IN-FORCE until further notice.
Curfew in the state remains 8pm - 6am until further notice as part of our efforts to checkmate the activities of criminals.

ECONOMIC RECONSTRUCTION
The Post-COVID19 Economic Reconstruction Team has since submitted its report to HE the Governor who in turn announced the setting up of an implementation committee.
In line with the global trend of governments providing an enabling environment for the recommencement of air travels, the Akwa Ibom state government has approved and disbursed palliatives to the state owned airline, Ibom Air.
The financial assistance became necessary given that airline operations in Nigeria have been grounded for over three months, occasioning a revenue loss in the region of N4bn by Ibom Air.
The palliative is to enable the airline make necessary preparations for the resumption of fight operations as soon as the Nigerian airspace is open for flight operations.
Recall that Ibom Air in a little over one year of operations has raised the bar in aviation travel experience in Nigeria with its on-time; every-time departure protocol while maintaining the lowest average fleet age amongst airlines in Nigeria.

INDIVIDUAL/CORPORATE SUPPORT
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 in our state , we have received a wide variety of supports from corporate bodies and private individuals. This include cash and material donations.
In line with our commitment to transparency, Intergrity and accountability, we are currently updating our list of donations and donors for publication in due course.

As we reported a few weeks ago, we took delivery of 1800 bags of impounded Nigerian Customs warehouse bonded rice donated to the state by the Federal Government.
On receipt of the donation, we noticed that some grains of the rice had obvious de-coloration and in order to ascertain whether or not they were fit for human consumption, we subjected them to a thorough laboratory test procedure.

The test results showed that 510 bags were not fit for human consumption. They have since been discarded in the ravine.
The Akwa Ibom State Governor has therefore approved the distribution of the remaining 1,290 bags of rice on a local government by local government basis; 41 bags per LGA
This is however without liability to the Akwa Ibom State Government. Beneficiaries are STRONGLY advised to scrutinize the bags of rice and NOT consume rice grains that do not appear good enough for human consumption.

In a related development, HE The Governor has approved the a second-round of state government funded palliatives for distribution within the next couple of weeks.
You will recall that not too long ago, the Akwa Ibom State government had distributed over 50,000 bags of palliative items comprising garri, rice, flour and beans to about 3,000 villages across the state.
These items; that were predominantly home grown, also served as a testament to the success of our industrialization and Agricultural initiatives since May 29, 2015.

UPGRADE OF MEDICAL FACILITIES
The NCDC has approved our state-of-the art Polymerase Claim Reaction (PCR) Laboratory; in the Ituk Mbang Isolation Centre, where critical tests, including Covid -19 and other infectious diseases would be carried out.
On a final note; We trust that citizens and residents will comply to all prescribed guidelines; including use of face mask, to ensure our collective safety.
God bless Akwa Ibom State.

Signed
Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem
Secretary to State Government
& Chairman of COVID-19 Committee, Akwa Ibom State
June 11,2020