The Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has extended the stay-at-home order he imposed a forghtnight ago, for another two weeks as part of measures to curb the spread of the Coronavirus in the state.
Okowa who renewed the order in a state-wide broadcast on Tuesday, explained that there was the need to intensify efforts in contacts tracing and ensure that the state becomes clean from the pandemic before the order could be lifted.
The governor appealed to all Deltans to cooperate with government in its deliberate efforts to fight against the spread of coronavirus, and its foreseeable socio-economic consequences on the state.
Okowa thanked all those who either made donations to the State food bank or cash deposits to designated bank accounts opened by Delta State Government, to enable wealthy individuals and corporate citizens make donations towards the provision of palliatives to cushion the effects of the stay at home order.
He encouraged prospective cash donors pay into the state designated banks, assuring that he monitors bank alerts per donation to ensure accountability and transparency.
Okowa further assured citizens and donors that the food items and cash donations would be well utilised to cushion the harsh socio-economic effects occasioned by the stay at home order.
“By the powers vested in me, I hereby extend the stay at home order for another two weeks, to enable us intensify contact tracing, bring those involved into the various isolation centres for proper case management by health professionals.
“I urge Deltans to comply with the order and be law abiding citizens throughout the next two weeks and always.
“Distribution and sharing of palliatives will be transparent and along federal ward channels among other distribution strategies already mapped out,” Okowa assured.
ExpressDay recalls that at the time the first stay-at-home order was made two weeks ago, the State had no case of the Covid-19. It recorded three cases and one death during the period.
The Governor, who was furious over circumstances surrounding the second case, after proper investigation, ordered the immediate closure of the private hospital in Warri, for not referring the patient to the nearest isolation centre on time and in line with Covid-19 prevention and case management guidelines.
