Covid-19 Scare: Kogi State Government urges citizens to disregard false claims
The Kogi State Government’s Covid-19 Squadron Committee have described as untrue, claims of community transmission of coronavirus in Ogugu, Olamaboro Local Government Area of the state.
The committee was reacting to a Facebook post by one Realone Okpanachi who claimed that himself, wife, along with his three year old daughter tested positive for coronavirus and were currently in Isolation.
Okpanachi further alleged community spreading of the virus, being that he was in Ogugu, Olamaboro Local Government Area for a burial ceremony wherein he started noticing the symptoms. He also asserted that there’s been an increasing number of deaths attributed to ‘brief sickness’ in the community.
However, in a statement issued by the Chairman of the State Squadron Committee, who doubles as the Deputy Governor, Chief Edward Onoja, said, extensive findings from community leaders, health practitioners and natives of the said location shows that he has planted a false information intended to cause panic.
The statement reads: “The attention of The Kogi State Squadron Committee on Coronavirus, known as COVID19 has been sought by an alarmist known as Realone Okpanachi, who took to his Facebook wall to declare his COVID19 status as positive, including his wife and child after traveling to Ogugu, Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State for a burial some weeks ago from Abuja, the epicenter of the virus in Northern Nigeria.
‘He alleged community transmission of the virus, citing deaths from many brief illnesses.
‘Extensive findings from our team who contacted community leaders, health practitioners and natives of the said location highlighted by the alarmist shows that he has planted a false information intended to cause panic. No deaths have been recorded as alleged from symptoms of COVID19.
‘We are however curious as to how Mr. Realone Okpanachi was able to beat the interstate lockdown between Abuja and Kogi State to travel all the way from the epicenter of the virus into Ogugu. As a citizen, it is also an act of irresponsibility and violation of the COVID19 guidelines that prohibits interstate travels as Nigeria battles with the virus which Kogi State is yet to record any case from the pandemic so far.
‘We assure our citizens that no community transmission is ongoing at Ogugu at the moment, rather does anyone attest to the position of Mr Okpanachi, rather, we are suspicious of his motive for traveling with the virus from Abuja which is the epicenter in North Central Nigeria to Kogi state which is yet to record any case.
‘The general members of the public are advised to go about their normal business activities as Kogi is free from any case of the virus so far.’
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