Nigeria

Anambra extends lockdown for 2 weeks after confirming first COVID-19 case

Sunday, April 12, 2020 at 9:55 AM by Oluwatobi Bolashodun

- Anambra state has recorded its first index case as Nigeria continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic

- Governor Willie Obiano who announced this on his Twitter page on Saturday, April 11, also extended the lockdown order

- According to him, the index case returned from Lagos and has been placed in a care center

The governor of Anambra state, Willie Obiano extended the shutdown in the state for two weeks after confirming the first case of coronavirus in the state.

Obiano in a series of tweets from his official Twitter account on Saturday, April 11, announced that the state still recorded its index case despite the proactive measures to prevent the pandemic from reaching Anambra.

According to him, the victim who arrived from Lagos state and has been placed in one of the protective care centers in the state.

He went on to note that aggressive Contact Tracing has already begun to ensure that every one the patient came in contact with is brought in for professional handling that will save lives.

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The Anambra governor further noted that it has become necessary to tighten the measures earlier taken to curb the spread of the disease following the first confirmed case of coronavirus in the state.

Obiano explained that in order to achieve this the restriction on movement is extended by two weeks. The governor added that this time around Anambra state is being placed on a comprehensive lockdown.

Recall that the Anambra state government banned public gathering in the state until further notice, starting from Monday, March 23.

The state government in a statement released on Thursday, March 19, provided health advisory for various sectors in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The government advised traders who go to the markets to wash their hands frequently, with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and allow it to air dry.

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Legit.ng previously reported that the federal government has hinted that it may extend the lockdown in Lagos, Abuja and Ogun state to prevent the spread of coronavirus pandemic in the country. This emerged a few days to the end of the current 14 days of coronavirus lockdown.

The chairman of the task force and secretary to the government of the federation, Boss Mustapha, that with what is happening in other countries, it could be easily deduced what the decision of the president would be on the lockdown.

Mustapha said the team had briefed President Muhammadu Buhari on the assessment of the nation’s response so far, adding that more evaluation of the process continues.

In a related development, Nigeria's COVID-19 has spread to 20 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)two months after the index case was first confirmed in Lagos state in February 2020.