Osun records two COVID-19 deaths

Two patients receiving treatment for COVID-19 in Osun state have died.

Gboyega Oyetola, governor of Osun, broke the news at a press briefing at government house, Osogbo, on Sunday.

He said while one died at Ede, the other lost the battle to COVID-19 in Ile-Ife.

The state confirmed its index case on March 25, 2020, and the patient was released on April 5, 2020.

The state also recorded additional cases when 127 returnees from Ivory Coast were tested and 18 of them were confirmed positive for coronavirus.

Speaking at the briefing, Oyetola expressed disappointment with the rise in number of cases, noting that despite efforts to limit the spread of the virus, its efforts were compromised by persons who refused to obey government directives.

“The State of Osun made significant progress in the fight against coronavirus in two weeks, having no new confirmed cases and discharging 19 of the 20 successfully without any death. We were on our way to containing the virus, in spite of the galloping figures in other states.

“However, it is saddening that we have recorded 12 new cases in the State, including three of our health workers, with two fatalities, both of whom were males with underlying health conditions.”

Oyetola said the 12 fresh cases recorded on Saturday emerged from Ede, Irewole, Ejigbo and Ife local government areas of the state.

“Six of the new detected 12 cases were returnees from negbouring West African country, Benin Republic; two recently returned to the State from Lagos; three had contact with previous confirmed cases; while the remaining one, who was suffering from Tuberculosis, was hurriedly ferried in from Ibadan,” he added.

“The cases we have on our hands are simply the consequences of breaching the lockdown directives of the State Government by some citizens of the state.”

He, however, maintained that the government was doing everything possible to prevent community transmission, and that it had begun contact tracing across the affected local government areas.

He appealed to residents to comply with the directive, and also, to stop encouraging their families and friends, who are currently outside the state to return home, as doing so would further endanger the lives of those in the state.

“Disobedience to the directives of the government will further compromise the health of other citizens. Hence, we are imploring everyone to stop accommodating visitors from outside the State of Osun, to obey the total lockdown directives and to avoid unauthorised or non-essential movement,” he said.

He also appealed to security agents manning the state’s borders to diligently search vehicles coming into the state under the guise of transporting food items.

“Let me use this opportunity to remind us all that the laws guiding the operation of this lockdown and the general security of the people are in force and the relevant security agencies are on notice to ensure compliance and the safety and security of the people.”