COVID-19: Akwa Ibom records one death, three new cases

Udom Emmanuel, governor of Akwa Ibom, says another COVID-19 patient has died in the state. 

Giving a COVID-19 situation report in the state on Thursday, Emmanuel said the new death brings the death toll from the disease to two.

The governor said the state now has six active cases, adding that three new cases were recorded within the week as a result of the ongoing contact tracing.

“On the last laboratory test we conducted on 44 suspected cases, three persons were confirmed positive, while we lost one,” he said.

“The patient we lost was a 68-year-old woman who was transferred to the centre, totally unconscious. With multiple serious long outstanding comorbidity.

“And I want to use this opportunity to appeal to doctors, whether it is COVID-19 or not, once the illness is beyond what your experience and facility can carry, seek the help of your colleagues.

“We will not accept cases of dumping any longer. A situation where you bring a patient with total unconsciousness, and few hours later, the person would just give up the ghost; we won’t accept that any longer.

He, however, said the state has recorded “remarkable successes” in terms of treatment of minor symptoms.

“Our recovery rate is remarkable. Only God can help the entire world,” he said.

The governor said the state is determined to provide excellent medical care, urging Akwa Ibom people to continue to follow all necessary precautionary measures on COVID-19.

The governor reminded residents that restriction of movement was still in force and that the ban on interstate transport services had not been lifted.

The state has recorded 12 confirmed cases of the disease.