Residents of Edo State have been warned against the submission of wrong information, including names, addresses and phone contacts, during the ongoing massive screening and testing exercise across the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Patrick Okundia, who spoke to journalists in Benin City, charged residents to desist from such pernicious act, as it was threatening the state government’s efforts to contain the pandemic and ensure the health and wellbeing of Edo people.
Okundia said there was no need for people to resist screening and testing for COVID-19 or give fake information during the exercise as early detection and treatment increases one’s chances of survival.
He, however, reassured that the government is resolute and committed to containing the COVID-19 pandemic in all communities across the state.
The Commissioner said, “It has come to the notice of the Edo State Ministry of Health that some residents have adopted the strategy of giving out fake phone numbers and wrong addresses to health officials during the screening and testing exercise, to evade follow-up and treatment in the eventuality that they test positive.
“This is a serious threat to the government’s efforts at curtailing the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the state. It further jeopardises the health and safety of the person’s relatives, neighbours and indeed all Edo residents. Currently, one case is yet to be located due to wrong address and phone number; this calls for serious worry as no one can estimate the level of danger this person poses to the health of other residents”.
Okundia continued, “We urge all residents to make themselves available for the ongoing massive screening and testing exercise and ensure they do not provide wrong details to health workers, as it will help the government in wiping out this pandemic from all communities across Edo State.
“Also, we charge you to comply with all government directives, aimed at keeping you safe and healthy. Stay at home; observe social distancing and other precautionary measures against the spread of the infectious disease, including regular hand washing with soap under running water and the use alcohol-based hand sanitisers. Do well to report anyone with oversea travel history”
“Two new toll-free lines for COVID-19 response have been introduced by Edo State Government to strengthen the initial lines from the State Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO) distributed at the onset of the outbreak. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, please 08001235111 or 08002200110 for assistance”, he added.
