Tina Amanda
Rivers State on Friday recorded a new covid-19 case, bringing the state’s total cases to 14.
Out of the 14 cases, 2 have been discharged, 2 have also died while 10 are active cases.
Apart from one who had no travel history, the rest were returnees to the state or related to cases who returned to the state.
Meanwhile, Rivers Ministry of Health has inaugurated a fourteen (14) man Committee for COVID-19 treatment and isolation centers in the state.
Commissioner of Health Professor Princewill Chike, while inaugurating the committee, said the state has moved from new case to cluster stage of COVID 19 cases, which is likely to result to Community spread.
He noted that the committee members are all specialist from the medical field, who will accredit centres that will manage and treat Coronavirus patients in the state.
“In Rivers State we have moved from the new case to sporadic phase of cases to cluster, thank God we have not entered Community transmission face. For the fact we have slightly entered into a cluster phase, means we have already commenced centenary search for health facilities as treatment and isolation centers.
“We cannot run away from the fact that by the time we enter the cluster phase we are closer in entering Community transmission which is the phase Lagos, Kano States and Abuja are in right now. By the time we enter that phase we have to start running house to house test.
“Whether we like it or not Rivers State now has 14 positive COVID-19 cases, it is obvious that the number may increase, and a lot of Rivers people have still refused to observe the social distance order, some people still shake hands, some go to market as early as 2am, and there is no way if you provide an opportunity for the virus to spread, it will not spread”
Professor Chike urged the committee members to be committed and passionate in approving the treatment and isolation centers.
“All hands must be on desk to work together, we need all kinds of specialist in medical field, and they can not all be found in the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital has the school of so many specialist, that is why we are tapping from the knowledge of medical experts there by including them in the committee.
“This Committee we will have to look at things passionately and accredit centres that will consider the health of personnel who will be managing COVID 19 patients in the various treatment centers. Yesterday the Minister of health announced the number of health workers who have tested positive to COVID 19, so this must be considered in approving centers to manage Corona Virus infections.
“The new six cases we have recently resulted from private hospital treating patients with COVID-19, that is why this accreditation Committee is key to approve health centers and shut down any private facility caught treating COVID-19 patient without proper accreditation”
Our correspondent Tina Amanda reports that the committee members are; Professor Princewill Chike – Chairman, Dr. Ndidi Utchay – Secretary, Dr. Agriye Harry, member, Professor Henry Ogboma member, Friday Aaron member, Dr. Kenneth Okagba member, Dr. Ojums Sylvernus member, Dr. Nkechi Eze Police Representative, Colonel A.A Aloku Army Representative, Professor Orumabo Raphael member, Professor Iyopu Similaye member, Professor Obunge Orikomaba member.
