Osun records first case of COVID-19, governor, wife test negative

• Akeredolu appears in public, faults isolation rumour
• PFN orders three days sit-at-home for members

Sequel to the reported one positive case of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Osun State, Governor Gboyega Oyetola has said that he and his wife surrendered themselves to test due to their recent travel history and the outcome proved negative to virus.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had yesterday morning confirmed case of novel Coronavirus in the state. The case is a returnee from the United Kingdom (UK) and is currently receiving treatment.

Oyetola, while addressing journalists yesterday in the Governor’s Office, said that their decision to subject themselves to test was to lead by example. He said: “Considering the fact that I was in Abuja for the better part of last week, as a way of leading by example, I have also subjected myself to test. My wife, because of her recent travel history, also subjected herself to test. Both came back negative.”

The governor, who stated said that a task force had been set up to man all the state land borders and conduct preliminary screening, said that “all major markets would soon be shut down with effect from Friday, March 27, 2020 as part of actions aimed at stemming the spread of the deadly virus. He, however, stated that traders are allowed to sell food items in front of their houses while pharmaceutical outlets are exempted from the ban.

Oyetola, who urged the residents and citizens of the state not to panic as the disease is under control, urged them to call the emergency number 293 or other numbers: 08035025692, 08033908772 and 08056456250 to report suspected case or cases.

In another development, contrary to reports that Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has placed himself in isolation over pandemic Coronavirus, he has proved the conjectures wrong.

Though Akeredolu did not utter a word on the rumour and question put to him yesterday by journalists at a briefing in the Governor’s Office, alongside the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Undie Adie, he demonstrated that the report was untrue.

The governor, who was also cocooned by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Sunday Abegunde; his Chief of Staff, Olugbenga Ale; Special Adviser on Health, Dr. Jibayo Adeyeye and Head of Service, Mr. Dare Aragbaye, proved that he was not in isolation.

The police boss, who noted that the meeting was important so as to discuss how to effectively enforce state government measures to curb the spread of the deadly Coronavirus in the state, expressed dismay at the attitude of people on the measures put in place by the government, warning that the command would deploy personnel to enforce measures put in place.

“We have observed that people that are selling non-essential commodities opened their shops. The government has ordered that markets and shops should be closed except those selling essential commodities like water, food and medicine.

Meanwhile, the state chapter of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has charged the over 4,000 churches under its banner in the state to embark on three days sit-at-home prayer and fasting between today, March 26 and Saturday, March 28, 2020.

The state’s PFN Director of Media, Bishop Seun Adeoye, said that the group Chairman, Prophet Isaiah Adelowokan, had directed members in the state to comply.He also directed all PFN pastors in the state to ensure total compliance with the state government’s directive by not opening their churches for services until further directives are issued.