Delta State Records Tremendous Success In The Fight Against COVID-19 —Dr. Michael Nwoko
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Health Monitoring and Member, Delta State COVID-19 Team, Dr. Michael Nwoko once again featured at Delta Broadcasting Service Radio Program ‘Frank Talk’ on Tuesday, July 28th, alongside Grey Almona. The audience participation program anchored by Edward Akpati Ogwude, focused on COVID-19 update in Delta State where Dr. Nwoko elucidated on the successes recorded by the State in the fight against the pandemic.
Speaking on the issue, the eloquent SSA who was in a happy mood stated, “as regards COVID-19, it is all looking good in Delta State, we are beginning to record huge success, when it comes to the fight against the COVID-19. As at today, we have a total of 1, 473 confirmed cases, 93 active cases, 1,338 discharged cases and 42 deaths.”
“As at 21st of July, we had a total of 759 active cases on admission, but today, the number have drastically reduced to 93 cases given us a difference of 666 cases within a week.”
“This data is an indication that the State has recorded tremendous success in the fight against COVID-19 and this is due to the strategic approach of His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, the Governor of Delta State and the unrelenting efforts of the COVID-19 team in the State”.
“Suffice to say that contact surveillance which is carried out to identify persons of interest have been very effective in the State. Testing capacity has also increased while management of infected persons has improved remarkably.
Of particular interest has been that we have continued to sustain 99% success rate in contact tracing which is germane to curtailing the spread of COVID-19.”
“At this time, I like to seize this privilege opportunity to thank the Governor for his outstanding leadership in this challenging time in our history. I am not surprised for this dramatic turn around because His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur, the Governor of Delta State is medical Doctor who understands the nature of the public health crisis we are dealing with and did not hesitate to swing into action as early as possible.”
“I also want to thank the front line health workers, those involved in contact tracing and management as well as the entire COVID-19 team in the State for their unrelenting efforts which has lend credence to the successes recorded thus far. Let me also congratulate all residents of the State for this achievement. ”
“However, the success recorded today does not mean that the pandemic is over. There is need to sustain our efforts and continually drum up advocacy and sensitization on the need for the people to comply with preventive protocols until we completely defeat the pandemic”
Edward Akpati. Here is viral video by a woman who claims she cured close to 400 persons using hydroxychloroquine, with bizarre claims that there is no need of facemask. What is your reaction to these claims and what is your advice to deltans.
Dr. Nwoko, “I have seen the video, the claims by the female Doctor has no scientific base for now. Many who tried the use of hydroxychloroquine has found it to be highly ineffective with terrible side effects. The FDA has also cautioned against the use of the drug in the treatment of COVID-19 patients. We must not be distracted by such video as the only way to curtailing the spread of COVID-19 remains the preventive protocols such as compulsory use of face mask in public, social distancing and regular washing of hands with running water and soap or use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers.”
Edward Akpati, the current data in Delta State shows the State is doing well, so how would you score the Government of Delta State in handling the pandemic?
Dr. Nwoko said “I am scoring the State 99% because if contact tracing is recording 99% success, if the State is recording 99% in tracing persons of interest, it is only normal to rate the State 99% success in curtailing the pandemic as contact tracing is germane to curtailing the spread of the pandemic.”
Edward Akpati, we all agree that the virus is still with us? What is being done to enforce compliance to safety protocols, in markets and business centres?
Dr. Nwoko” The COVID-19 team both at the State and LGA levels has been working so hard to enforce preventive protocols in the markets, hotels, keke, commercial buses and other places of interest.”
“We must understand that we are still on partial lockdown. We have been holding regular meetings to enforce compliance. The SSG have been talking to stakeholders and all concerned in order to ensure compliance with the partial lockdown directive of the State Government. ”
On a final note, I want to once again commend His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, the Governor of Delta and all Members of the COVID-19 Team in the State for their commitment and steadfastness in the fight against this dreaded pandemic. It is a thing of joy that our efforts are yielding positive results.” Dr Nwoko concluded.
Dr. Michael Nwoko
