Delta State Government on Tuesday identified wrong addresses given by some persons who may have been exposed to COVID-19 as a major challenge in tracing of contacts in the state.
Speaking at Rave Television, monitored in Asaba on Wednesday, the state Information Commissioner, Charles Aniagwu, said it was becoming difficult to reach potential patient for the administration of treatment and isolation even.
The commissioner expressed worries that the prevalence of religious bigotry was inhibiting the process of data collection in the state.
According to him, such practice negatively impacts the fight against the pandemic.
He, however, urged Deltans to report suspected symptoms of the virus to health experts, rather than resorting to self-medication, stressing that the state had provided and furnished isolation and treatment centers for such purposes.
“On the other efforts by the state government to combat the virus, the enforcement of face masks and hand wash in public places as well as Compliance to social distancing protocols,” Mr Aniagwu said.
He also denied the claim that there was no accountability in the management of COVID-19 donations in the state, stressing that a number of donations to the state were not in the form of cash but equipment.
On post-COVID-19, the commissioner said that the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa had continued its quest of ensuring a stronger Delta through the provision of infrastructure as well as human capital development.
Meanwhile, the Niger Delta People’s Network, NDPN, has emphasized on the need for compliance with the COVID-19 safety protocols, stressing the virus is real.
The state chairman of the group, Toju Bintie, who spoke to newsmen in Asaba on Wednesday, emphasized that sensitization is critical in bringing down the curb of infections.
Mr Bintie lamented that safety rules were virtually non-existent in some areas.
“Some persons are still very careless about the issue of COVID-19 pandemic, while some are ridiculously of the belief that the virus is not real and this portends grave dangers to those around them.
“Leaders at various levels should be held responsible if those within their watch flout the rules of safety,” the chairman submitted.
Emphasizing the need for proper information, and orientation, Mr Bintie noted that palliative measures that come in the form of food or money would be of little help to a dying populace.
“NDPN has observed that information is very crucial and can achieve and has thus come in to fill the gap regarding visible Compliance to safety rules,” he said.
