Enugu COVID-19 cases increase as 9-year-old tests positive for dreaded virus

The number of patients suffering from the dreaded COVID-19 disease in Enugu State has increased with a nine-year-old who was confirmed positive with the virus.

A statement the state government released on Friday, through Obi Emmanuel Ikechukwu, its Commissioner for Health said the 9-year-old was a contact of the fourth case reported in the state, who had a travel history.

With the development, the state’s confirmed cases of COVID-19 have increased to seven.

“There is another newly confirmed positive case of COVID-19 in Enugu State. This case is a nine-year-old child contact of the fourth case reported in Enugu who had positive travel history.

“Thus the total number of cases ever reported in Enugu now rises to Nine (9) with seven (7) active cases.

“The patient has been admitted into one of our Isolation and Treatment Centres, further contacts are being identified and lines listed, and necessary samples will be taken for testing. Also, the decontamination of the patients’ home has been promptly carried out.

“People of Enugu State are reminded to stay at home, and only go out when absolutely necessary. Further, when going out, you are strongly advised to wear an appropriate cloth face mask, avoid touching the front of the mask, and to always remove the mask from both ears at once, wash and iron if possible once you get home.

Continue to practice physical/social distancing of at least 2m (or 6ft) apart from each other. Practice proper respiratory hygiene (cough or sneeze into your elbow, use a tissue if you must and discard immediately into a safe and secure bin).

“Wash your hands as often as possible with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds (or the length of time it takes you to sing the happy birthday song twice) or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when there is no facility to allow you to wash your hands.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: Nigerian govt admits its self-isolation policy has failed

“Finally, sanitize surfaces of all around you as often as possible with a 1in6 mixture of bleach and water. If you think you are ill with COVID 19 symptoms or know someone with COVID 19 symptoms, do not hesitate to call the numbers 08182555550 or 09022333833 or the NCDC number 080097000010.

“If I do these, I protect you, if you do these you protect me! Stay Safe!” the statement read.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now