The index case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Abia has been discharged from the treatment centre in the state.
The state governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, announced this while giving an update on the disease on Friday in Umuahia, the state capital.
He also announced plans by the state government to relax the ongoing lockdown in the state in the coming days.
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Governor Ikpeazu, however, noted that relaxing the lockdown would be implemented under strict protocol guidelines.
The Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia, Dr Azubuike Onyebuchi, also confirmed this in a statement.
Read the full statement below:
FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, UMUAHIA: COVID 19 RESPONSE UPDATE
On the 20th of April, 2020 we reported two confirmed cases of COVID 19 in the state both of which were patients being treated in our facility for other co-morbid conditions.
Since then both patients have been receiving treatment in our Isolation Ward for COVID-19 alongside other co-morbidities they presented with.
I am glad to inform you that today we will be discharging our first successfully treated COVID 19 case from the isolation facility.
He has shown marked clinical improvement and has met the national criteria for discharge of COVID-19 patients from isolation centres, which is testing negative two consecutive times to the coronavirus from the NCDC reference laboratory.
It is heart-warming to note that efforts are being made in collaboration with NCDC and the state to test all the high risks contacts of the index cases. All those so far tested including those with symptoms have tested negative.
To the glory of God, a good number of the contacts have exited self-isolation uneventfully and we hope that all other contacts will exit successfully by Monday.
This incident is a wakeup call for us all to remain more vigilant by maintaining a high index of suspicion and practice infection prevention and control measures more than ever.
On our part, as management, we will continue to strengthen safety measures in the workplace through screening of patients at the entry points, enforcement of compulsory masking of all patients and provision of requisite personal protective wears to staff.
I also wish to say that as management we will continue to respond accordingly to changes in the dynamics of the pandemic.
Leaders of various trade unions are therefore enjoined to support the management by disseminating the right information to their members.
As healthcare providers, we are enjoined to avoid stigmatization of COVID 19 patients and those managing them as it is a disease that can affect anyone irrespective of his or her social status.
Such disposition will not augur well with our commitment to provide the best possible care to our clients.
Finally, I wish to thank all involved in the successful management of our first COVID 19 patient, particularly our case management team for their sacrifice which shall not go unrewarded.
I am also grateful to the Abia State government for their immense support so far.
For the contacts of the index cases, we will continue to support you until all successfully exit self-isolation.
By His grace, we shall overcome.
Dr Azubuike K. Onyebuchi
Medical Director
FMC UMUAHIA
