Delta records 8 new COVID-19 cases barely 24hours after the ease on lockdown

By Onitsha Shedrack

Barely 24hours after the Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa eased statewide imposed restriction of movement in order to stem the spread of the ravaging Coronavirus pandemic, the state has recorded 10 new cases of patients testing positive for COVIED-19.

ADVOCATE gathered that the rise in cases of COVID-19 in Delta may not be unconnected to the inauguration of COVID-19 testing laboratory at Asaba Specialist Hospital by the state government, a move that has increased the state testing capacity.

Secretary to the State Government, Mr Chiedu Ebie, during the inauguration said the lab would enable the government to control and scale-up diagnostic capacity in the state.

With the new 8 cases, the state now has 17 confirmed cases of COVID-19, according to the official statement from the state Task Force of COVID-19, Delta now has 13 active cases, 2 discharged and 2 death as at this morning,  (May 1, 2020).

Recall that Governor Okowa, on Tuesday in a broadcast in Asaba, announced the relaxation of lockdown declared on April 1, 2020, as part of measures to check the spread of COVID-19 in the state.

Okowa said the relaxation of the lockdown would become effective on Thursday, and explained that it was to encourage economic activities expected to be carried out from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m.

He also announced the continuation of the dusk-to-dawn (7 p.m. to 6 a.m.) curfew imposed on April 15, adding that ban on conferences, sporting activities, gathering of people at event centres and other public engagements remained in force until May 31, 2020.

However, less than 24hours after the lockdown was lifted there is a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in the state, a situation that is now causing panic in the state.