The Osun state Government on Saturday said all was set to discharge 10 patients among the Ivory Coast returnees who had been earlier tested positive for Coronavirus.
The state government said the 10 patients would be discharged having been tested negative twice in line with the protocol of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control NCDC.
The state Governor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola disclosed these in Government House, Osogbo, while giving an update on the management of the deadly Coronavirus in the state.
The Governor maintained that the patients were among the 17 Ivory Coast returnees that were earlier tested positive.
The Governor said the discharge of the patients has underscored the belief of the government that Coronavirus was not a death sentence.
Oyetola noted that the discharge of 11 patients was a confirmation to the fact that the state has the right equipment and personnel to handle the Coronavirus pandemic.
He expressed delight on the success recorded so far, “saying the successful treatments should also encourage persons who are feeling unwell to come out for testing and treatment if found positive”
The Governor called on the citizens to maintain the preventive measures and remain indoors throughout the ‘Stay at Home’ period.
He said: “When I updated you on the state of the management of the Coronavirus pandemic in the State of Osun eight days ago, I disclosed that 110 of the 127 Ivory Coast returnees who tested negative for the Coronavirus had been released to join their families, while the remaining 17 whose results came back positive were receiving treatment and care at our facility in Ejigbo.
“I also expressed confidence that the 17 patients would soon be released to join their families.
“I am happy to inform you today that 10 of the 17 patients have tested negative twice for the virus in line with the National Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, and will soon be released to join their families and live their normal lives.
“The remaining seven patients are responding to treatment and shall, by the grace of God, soon follow in the steps of their colleagues.
“You will recall that of the two earlier cases one had tested negative and had since been discharged.
“Consequently, the release of 10 patients today brings to 11, the number of cases that have tested negative twice and have been discharged after treatment in the State of Osun.
“This development underscores our belief that Coronavirus disease is not a death sentence, but is treatable if the patients surrender themselves for treatment on time”.
Governor Oyetola reiterated the government’s commitment to contain the spread of the disease, just as he maintained that efforts were in progress to continue to cushion the effects of the hardships that accompany the sit-at-home order.
“These successful treatments should also encourage persons who are feeling unwell to come out for testing and treatment if found positive.
“They are a proof that we have the right equipment and personnel to handle the Coronavirus pandemic.
“We thank our people for their understanding and for complying with the directives imposed by government and the relevant agencies. We urge them all to continue to obey the regulations to avert community transmission.
“We are working hard to further cushion the effects of the hardships that accompany the sit-at-home order imposed in our collective interest. The next tranche of the palliatives will reach the people very soon”.
