COVID-19: Abia asks contacts of late commissioner to go into isolation

The Abia state government has asked the contacts of a late commissioner of the state to go into self-isolation.

A week ago, the state had announced that Solomon Ogunji, commissioner for environment, died on May 23, 2020, at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, “after a brief illness related to high blood pressure.”

John Kalu, the state commissioner for information, in a statement on Sunday, said the directive for state officials to self-isolate follows the outcome of COVID-19 tests done on the family members of the deceased.

Kalu did not disclose the result of the diagnosis but added that the contacts of the late commissioner should get their samples tested for the disease.

He also asked the members of the state committee on COVID-19 response to do same, adding that the governor and other members of the state executive council will observe necessary precautions.

“Following the outcome of tests conducted on close family members of a late member of the state executive council (Exco) and member of the Inter-ministerial committee on COVID-19, Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has directed all members of the committee and those of the Exco who might have recently come in contact with the late commissioner to immediately undergo COVID-19 tests and isolate themselves thereafter pending the outcome of the tests,” Kalu said.

“Governor Ikpeazu who is still in mourning will also subject himself to all other necessary protocols as he has directed his Exco members including the Deputy Governor to do.

“We wish to call on all Abians to continue to observe relevant regulations issued by the government and health authorities to stem the spread of the disease.”

Abia has recorded only 10 of Nigeria’s 9,855 COVID-19 cases.