Akwa Ibom government and NCDC disagree over 5 Coronavirus cases

The Akwa Ibom state government and the Nigeria Center for Disease Control NCDC are at conflict over reports of  5 Coronavirus cases recorded in the state.

The Nigeria Center for Disease Control NCDC on Wednesday, April 1st, announced that it had confirmed five new cases of Coronavirus in Akwa Ibom.

However in a statement released today, the state Commissioner of Health, Dr. Dominic Ukpong said the state government only heard about the test results over the news.

Ukpong in the statement alleged that the NCDC Director-General was also not aware of the results announced on Twitter by the agency. He demanded for a second test to be carried out on persons the agency claims have tested positive for the result.

Read the statement below

Sequel to the news report about the positive testing of 5 hitherto suspected cases of COVID -19 in Akwa Ibom state, we wish to state as follows, that;

1. We observed a disturbing breach in the test and reporting procedure.

2. Akwa Ibom State Government only heard about the test results in the news

3. The Director General of National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) was not aware of the reported result announcement.

4. All 5 reported positive test cases have been contacted and they have showed no COVID-19 symptoms.

5. While the tests were being processed in NCDC approved test facilities, all suspected cases were held in isolation.

6. Several sample batches have been previously sent for testing from Akwa Ibom State and they all returned negative results.

7. Owing to the irregularities observed in the testing and reporting procedure, Health Care Professionals in Akwa Ibom State have called for an immediate reconfirmation test on the 5 reported cases.

8. The results will be made public; following due process

9. Health Care Professionals in Akwa Ibom State have also appealed to the NCDC to ensure that all future tests are conducted following due process in order to maintain continued confidence in the process

10. Residents and citizens are enjoined to remain calm while observing all personal and respiratory hygiene guidelines earlier issued as well as adhere to the social distancing prescriptions.

11. The Enforcement Committee of the Quarantine and Restriction of Movement Regulations 2020 have been mandated to see to the full operation of the provisions of the regulations.

12. The Incident Management committee will continue to meet on a daily basis to review and analyze the situation while updates will be provided as and when due.

Together, we can stop the spread of this pandemic.

Let’s be safe; let’s stay safe.

Signed:
Dr. Dominic Ukpong
Hon. Commissioner
Ministry of Health

April 02, 2020