NCDC admits Akwa Ibom has 16 COVID-19 cases — As Lagos discharges 67 coronavirus patients

Abiodun OBA

The Akwa Ibom State Government has only 16 COVID-19 cases contrary to NCDC earlier position that the state had 17 case.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, admitted and apologised it had erroneously repeated a sample test, which resulted in the 17 cases it earlier recorded for the state.

The apology by NCDC in their latest update Saturday morning, regretted the error: “On the 14th of May, 4 cases reported from Plateau and 1 case from Akwa Ibom, were repeat cases.

”Therefore Plateau has a total of 21 cases and Akwa Ibom has a total of 16 cases.

”We apologise to the State Governments for the error and remain committed to ensuring accurate reporting”, the statement concluded.

Recall that the state Commissioner for Health Dr Dominic Ukpong had diplomatically told journalists that the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in Akwa Ibom was slightly lower than the figure published by NCDC.

Widespread criticism and media attacks had trailed his comment, with most people alleging that the state government was trying to conceal the true situation in the state.

Governor Udom Emmanuel’s determination in tackling the pandemic and rid the state of the dreaded virus was vindicated by NCDC’s correction.

Only two weeks ago, the NCDC has adjudged the state as a high flyer in contact tracing, with 99.1 per cent success being recorded.

Meanwhile, 67 COVID-19 patients, including a pregnant woman who was delivered of her baby today (Saturday) at the Gbagada Isolation Centre, Lagos, have all been discharged after testing negative to the pandemic twice.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu who made the announcement on his personal Twitter handle @jidesanwoolu, gave the breakdown thus: 22 females, 45 males including 3 foreign nationals – 2 Indians and a Chinese.

Sanwo-Olu said; “I bring you great news from our isolation facilities. Today, a pregnant #COVID-19 patient was delivered of a baby boy at the Gbagada Isolation Centre. Both mother and child are doing well.

“The patients; 24 from the Mainland Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba, 22 from Onikan, 11 from Agidingbi, 2 from Lekki and 8 from Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Isolation Centres were discharged after testing negative to #COVID19 in two consecutive readings.

“As our front line health workers record successes in the battle against #COVID-19, we urge citizens to adhere strictly to public health directives as this is the only way we can break the chain of transmission of the infection,”

he advised.