Gov Ikpeazu tests positive to covid-19, hands over to deputy

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Gov Ikpeazu tests positive to covid-19, hands over to deputy, goes into isolation

*’He’s stable, in high spirit’, says aide

By Steve Oko

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has tested positive to the dreaded coronavirus disease.

The Governor according to his Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka, tested positive Sunday but “is stable and in high spirit”.

This is coming barely a week after the result of the Governor’s earlier test came out negative.

The Governor’s Spokesman, in a press statement Monday morning, said Ikpeazu had already relinquished power to his Deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu pending his recovery and resumption of duty.

According to the statement, the Governor is asymptomatic and stable, hence there is no cause for alarm.

” Ikpeazu has assured the people of Abia State that he remains stable and in high spirits”, the statement read.

It further read : “The Governor whose second Covid-19 test returned positive yesterday said that his decision to present himself for a second test was to remove all doubts about his status, after testing negative initially.

“As your Governor, I have a responsibility to do what is right and keep our people fully updated about my health status”, the Governor stated.

Ikpeazu restated his stance that “testing positive to the virus is not a death sentence”, and appealed to the people of the state not to panic but continue to take issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic with seriousness and take all necessary precautions in line with the protocols enunciated by the NCDC.

The statement further said that the Governor who had already commenced self isolation “under the careful watch of experienced medical personnel”.

Recall that a member of the Governor’s kitchen cabinet and Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Solomon Ogunji died about three weeks ago “as a result of high blood pressure related ailment”, according to government.

But few days later, some family members of the deceased Commissioner tested positive to covid -19, thus raising suspicion on the actual cause of the sudden death of the late commissioner .

Following the development, Ikpeazu subjected himself to test and directed his Deputy, Commissioners and all members of the State Executive Council to do likewise.

He had afterwards announceed that his result came out negative while to of his aides tested positive although he refuted to disclose their identities.

The Governor thereafter, directed all Council Chairmen, their Deputies and councillors to go for compulsory test.

He also directed the State Epidiomologist to commence massive random test of residents as part of steps to stem the spread of the pandemic among residents.

Before now, Abia had eight active cases of covid -19 as one of the first two index cases, a septugenarian with underlying terminal disease has recovered and since been discharged from the hospital.

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Steve Oko, Publisher/C.E.O, WaWa News Global. For more information on advert placement and news coverage, contact us on: 08038725600, or via email stevemanofgod2000@yahoo.com; wawanewsglobal@gmail.com Always read WaWa News Global - Your most dependable online news platform for the latest breaking news in Nigeria.