Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has called for behavioural changes and caution among members of the public, as the state ramps up efforts to halt the spread of Coronavirus in the wake of looming second wave of the pandemic in the state.
Governor Obaseki who made the call in a virtual meeting with journalists in Edo State noted that the state’s campaign against the pandemic had been peculiar because it was also battling with Lassa fever, as this was also its peak period in the state.
“The last time we had to deal with the pandemic, we had enough time to respond and develop an epidemiological curve that showed how the disease behaves. This time around, we have to be cautious. COVID-19 is hitting us quickly,” the governor disclosed.
To combat the pandemic, Obaseki reiterated that the main issue would be for the people to have a change of attitude and behaviour, noting that “It is a festive season and they have to take personal precaution. The state government would take adequate measures to protect the people, but they are also to take personal responsibility.”
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While assuring that the state would ensure proper management of new cases of the disease, the governor stressed that “For Edo State, we are fighting Lassa Fever this season. In Irrua, the bed spaces have been taken already and we may not even have enough room for COVID-19 cases.”
He, therefore, charged media organisations in the state to step up engagement on the severity of the second wave of COVID-19, urging the need to emphasise the importance of residents taking personal responsibility in protecting themselves and halting the spread of the virus.
In his remarks, the former State Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Mr Ralph Okhiria, commended the governor for being proactive, assuring that the media practitioners in the state would support the efforts of the government at enjoining the public to take personal responsibility in halting the spread of COVID-19.
COVID-19: Obaseki calls for behavioural changes, urges caution as second wave looms
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