Another Health Worker Among Nine Covid-19 New Cases In Bayelsa

John ODHE, Yenagoa

Another health practitioner is among the nine coronavirus new cases confirmed on Sunday by the Nigeria Centre for Decease Control in Bayelsa, bringing the total number of covid-19 cases in the state to 21.

According to the permanent secretary, ministry of health and deputy chairman, state covid-19 taskforce, Dr. Inodu Apoku, the results were coming from a backlog of 62 samples sent to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital COVID -19 laboratory last week.

Apoku said on Monday in Yenagoa that six out of the nine cases were contacts of previously confirmed cases while three were not epidemiologically linked to any of the previous confirmed cases.

“Two of these fresh unlinked cases are critically ill and were on admission in our public Hospitals for other underlying illnesses (one had undergone sessions of dialysis) even before samples were collected for COVID -19 testing at the instances of the consulting teams in collaboration with the State COVID -19 Rapid Response Team. The third unlinked case is a health care professional,” he noted.

The PS further noted that all nine new cases had since been evacuated for further treatment at the state Isolation facilities.

“All their contacts are being line listed and adequately followed up including necessary environmental decontamination. Samples have and are still being collected from their high -risk contacts while they have all been counselled on self-quarantine. Risk communication and community engagement are ongoing.

“We discharged three cases during the past week. One case was discharged on Saturday, and the two other cases (including the doctor) were discharged just yesterday after all their repeat tests returned negative and patients’ clinical statuses had met other criteria for discharge.

“This makes a total of nine cases that have been discharged from our Isolation facilities. Currently, we have eleven active cases of COVID -19 in the State. All cases except the two cases who were previously on admission for other underlying illness are in stable clinical conditions.

“Unfortunately, we recorded a death last week. The patient who was initially responding to treatment suddenly developed severe shortness of breath. All attempts to salvage him proved abortive even with the intensive and delicate procedures that were administered by the attending medical personnel. He has since been buried by the Bayelsa State COVID -19 Safe Burial team and witnessed by relatives, friends, and colleagues.

“The state government’s quarantine facility has since been admitting contacts who are unable to self-quarantine. They have been very cooperative while enjoying the luxury provided at this centre,” he added.[frontpage_news widget=”1769″ name=”Covid 19″]