Ugochukwu Iwuchukwu
The Rivers State Government has denied reports of coronavirus case in the State.
The Commissioner for Health Rivers State Prof Chike Princewill said this while appearing on a radio programme in Port Harcourt.
Prof Chike Princewill said there is no confirmed case of coronavirus in Rivers State.
He declared the rumours on social media as fake news stating that the perpetrators of such a message do not mean well for the state.
”Sometimes it’s embarrassing when you hear people carry information and twist it the way they like. That information is wrong, is not correct. I am speaking to as the Commissioner for Health. You see in every profession there is what is called protocol and there are ways things are done. Wherever such information came from, whoever posted it does not mean well for Rivers State, does not mean well for Rivers people and does not mean well for Nigeria”.
”If you recall the issue of SARS-Covid-19 was first reported in January 2020 but the World Health Organization WHO did not declare it pandemic until 11th of March 2020, there was a time lag. Certain protocols are followed, certain protocols are observed, certain protocols are put in place before you take some certain decisions in every profession. The medical profession is not an exemption. The medical profession is a discipline profession. If I get a piece of information, I must confirm it before I carry out the diagnosis’ ‘he said.
He, however, admitted that the State is monitoring a case in Rivers State.
Princewill Chike said they will wait till they follow all the protocols required to monitor a patient suspected of coronavirus.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Health also said they will brief the State if the result comes out positive.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications Paulinus Nsirim appeal to Rivers people to remain calm.
He said the State Government is on top of the situation and assured the state of proper information on the issue of covid-19.
Nsirim said the state is in touch with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control NCDC and promised that the State is ready to do all it can to prevent an outbreak in the state.
