COVID-19: Three die as Akwa Ibom records 156 new cases

Three people have died from the new Delta variant of COVID-19 in Akwa Ibom just as the state has recorded 156 new infections in two weeks. Secretary to State Government and Chairman, Akwa Ibom State COVID-19 Committee, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, who stated this on Thursday during a press briefing in Uyo, called on residents of […]

Three people have died from the new Delta variant of COVID-19 in Akwa Ibom just as the state has recorded 156 new infections in two weeks.

Secretary to State Government and Chairman, Akwa Ibom State COVID-19 Committee, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, who stated this on Thursday during a press briefing in Uyo, called on residents of the State to obey all COVID-19 guidelines and protocols.

• Gunshots as Kidnappers return to Abuja community
• Abaribe: I’m ready to stand as Nnamdi Kanu’s surety again

Ekuwem said all COVID-19 monitoring mechanisms in the State have been reactivated to ensure strict compliance with COVID-19 guidelines and protocols, saying the new Delta variant had pushed the number of positive cases from five to 156 in two weeks.

“Over the past two weeks, cases of COVID-19 within the State have risen from five to 156.

“This increase, when considered in the light of the new Delta variant of the virus, which has now been isolated in Nigeria, calls for a renewal of our collective effort at preventing the spread of COVID-19 virus infection in our State.

“Accordingly, the government calls on all citizens of the State to obey all COVID-19 guidelines and protocols earlier enunciated by both the government of the State and the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC),” he stated.

The SSG mentioned that the State molecular laboratories are fully functional and tests for COVID-19 were being done regularly while urging the people to avail themselves for tests.

He stated that the government would continue to monitor the trends in the disease and take actions as may be necessary from time to time.