Following the revelation by the Imo State Task Force on Covid 19 on the increasing rate of confirmed coronavirus cases in the State, Governor Hope Uzodinma, has been advised to order a second lock-down of the State.
The Imo Awareness Coalition, a watchdog group in the State, in a statement signed by spokesman of the Coalition, Fidelis Echendu, said the revelation by the Task Force on the rate of the spread of the virus in the State “is shocking and demands urgent action”.
“The Governor deserves commendation for his broadcast where he reeled out measures to further contain the spread of the virus.
“But the shocking revelation by Prof Iwu led Committee who said there are over 200 cases in the state, is worrisome. The state government should do more to curtail the spread of the virus in the State.
“We, the Imo Awareness Coalition, IAC, based on media reports credited to Prof Iwu call for another lockdown of the State for two weeks.
“The lock-down is the only way to reduce the spread of the virus. Governor Uzodinma should take a cue from his Lagos State counter- part, Baba Jide Sanwolu, who had to rescind his decision to re- open churches, mosques and gatherings in Lagos State.
“The safety of our people is paramount and we must go beyond telling them to observe covid 19 protocols.
“The time to act is now else Imo State will become the epicenter of covid 19 in the South East zone and this will not augur well for the people and economy of the State” Echendu said.
Recall that Imo State COVID-19 Task Force, Prof. Maurice Iwu, had expressed concern over rising cases of coronavirus in the state and called for holistic approach to combating the scourge.
He said the virus was unprecedentedly spreading with a cumulative positive reality of 1,461 cases, the highest in the state so far.
According to Iwu, of this number, 247 cases came out positive, 1,214 negative, 16 persons are in isolation at WODDI centre, while 45 are on self-isolation with 20 discharged.
He noted that the state had lost three persons already to the pandemic, hence the need to abide by the governor’s desire that restrictions on movement from 8pm to 6am be maintained with inter-state travel ban still enforce.
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