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The governor of Ebonyi state, David Umahi yesterday raised alarm over fear of community spread of coronavirus as confirmed positive cases hit 75 on Thursday morning.
This shows that there was a tremendous rise of 35 positive cases in 3,000 tested samples in just one week where the state had a record of 40 figures.
Governor Umahi who also expressed worry over the soaring index cases, also directed for immediate shutdown of all goverment ministries for one week.
The was contained in a statement issued at the early hours of Thursday and was made available to Hanoky Media by the Commissioner of Information and State Orientation, Hon. Barr.Uchenna Orji.
His words: “The number of Coronavirus cases recorded in the state has unfortunately risen to 75 out of 3, 000 samples tested.
“Also we are entering another phase of the spread of COVID-19 called community transmission”, he stressed.
Umahi further appealed to her indigenes outside the shore of the state to avoid the risk of returning.
He maintained that the returnees were the most carriers and transmitters of the virus in the state.
“In view of this development, l passionately appeals to all sons and daughters of Ebonyi State who are living outside the shores of the state to avoid the risk of returning to the state”, he said
The governor who however expressed worried over the height rate of infection among the executive members, advised they along side staff of Ministry of budget and finance to go on self isolation.
He however explained that a total of 26 have been discharged while 49 active cases are presently receiving treatment at the various isolation centres in the state.
“We have discharged a total of 26 COVID-19 cases and 49 cases still receiving treatment and are in stable condition.
“All Exco members and Government officials especially of the Ministries of Finance and and Budget are advised to undergo COVID-19 test within this seven days period”, he noted.
To curb the spread, Umahi directed that all Government offices be shut down from Thursday, 4th June 2020, and resume on Wednesday, 10th June 2020, and instructed for decontamination of both the old and new government house premises including the ministry of budget and finance.
But, he insisted that all civil servants shall work from their respective homes within this period by way of leaving their phones on for emergency if need be.
The governor pleaded with residents to abide with the NCDC COVID-19 protocols.
Among the newly affected persons were suspected to be top serving government personalities with their offices still at the old government house and ministry of Finance and Budgeting.
Suspension of the infection among top government officers began last week with the names and positions yet to be disclosed to the public by the state government.
Hanoky Media reports that the height index cases have placed Ebonyi among the worse hit states of coronavirus and would jeopardize the reopening of schools as earlier planned by the state government.
But no death has been recorded since 26 April when the first case was announced.
