COVID-19: Abia Gov., Ikpeazu tests positive as Nigeria records 260 new cases, total infections now 12, 486
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has tested positive for coronavirus, just as the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), Sunday announced 260 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 12,486.
The Abia State Government confirmed that the governor tested positive for the novel coronavirus and has gone into isolation as required by NCDC protocols.
He has also directed his Deputy, Rt Hon Ude Oko Chukwu, to act on his behalf till he recovers fully and resumes work.
The NCDC, through its official Twitter handle, announced that the 260 new cases were recorded in 19 states.
It also said that there were 12 deaths, bringing the total number to 354.
The centre added that 3,959 patients have been treated and discharged.
The health agency stated that no new state reported a case in the last 24 hours.
“Till date, 12,486 cases have been confirmed, 3,959 cases have been discharged and 354 deaths have been recorded in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The agency said that the 260 new cases were reported from 19 states- Abia(67), FCT(40), Lagos(38), Ogun (19), Gombe (16), Edo(14), Imo(9), Kwara (8), Katsina (8), Nasarawa(8), Borno (8), Kaduna(6), Bauchi (5), Ekiti (4), Niger (2), Ondo (2), Plateau(2), Kano(2),Sokoto (2).
NAN, reports that scientists are still learning about the disease, and think that the virus began in animals.
At some point, one or more humans acquired infection from an animal, and those infected humans began transmitting the infection to other humans.
The disease spreads from person to person through infected air droplets that are projected during sneezing or coughing.
It can also be transmitted when humans have contact with hands or surfaces that contain the virus and touch their eyes, nose, or mouth with the contaminated hands.
COVID-19 was first reported in China, but has now spread throughout the world.
The Abia State Commissioner for Environment, who was also a member of the State’s COVID-19 Committee, Dr Solomon Ogunji, died on May 23 at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, after what the state government described as a brief illness related to high blood pressure.
His wife and children have, however, since tested positive for Coronavirus and following the commissioner’s death, the state government had directed all State Executive Council members and members of the COVID-19 committee to undergo the test and isolate themselves immediately.
