BY LEVI JOHNSON
Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi has said on Sunday that the State has recorded its first COVID-19 case.
According to him, a 31- year- old man from Ukawu in Onicha Local government area of the state became the first index case.
Umahi said: “Today 26th of April 2020, unfortunately, I wish to announce that Ebonyi has recorded the first Covid-19 index case. ‘The index case is a 31 years old man from Ukawu in Onicha Local government area.
“He runs a higher transport business with his Sienna vehicle which he uses to carry food items to Ore in Ondo State. Usually, after selling this food item he will use the vehicle to carry passengers back to Southeast.”
The patient, he revealed, had made two journeys- one on 29th of March and returned to Ebonyi on 1st of April. The patient travelled again on April 12 to Ore.
“While in Ore he could not get passengers to bring back to Southeast. And he had to wait for some time in Ore sleeping in motor parks and filling stations. And when he could not he started making his way back to Ebonyi State.
“On his way, he saw three Ebonyians that were speaking Ebonyi language. He stopped, they told him that they were going to Ebonyi and we’re stranded with no money.
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“He called the parents and they agreed that he should bring them back and they would pay him when they got back. So he took the three of them and started coming back. That was on the 15th of April”.
The Governor said they passed through many states sleeping in parks and filling stations on the way and only got to Ebonyi borders on the 20th.
Continuing, he said, they passed through Ivo local government and made their way to Okposi in Ohaozara where they were intercepted by the state anti-COVID-19 task force and brought to Abakaliki in line with government policy.
Umahi said that at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium holding area where they were kept for some days, a test was conducted on them and the driver tested positive on Saturday while the three passengers were negative.
He however directed for a second test on the passengers, which came out the same way on Sunday.
The Governor said that contact tracing of over 300 persons he might have come in minimal contact with has commenced.
He, however, assured the people not to panic as the State Government has made adequate preparations for such occasion.
The index case, he added, has been moved to the State’s isolation centre where he is being treated.
“He is very strong and is not showing any symptoms at the moment,” the Governor added.
