COVID-19: Medical doctor tests positive in Bayelsa 

A medical doctor working with the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa has tested positive for COVID-19 in Bayelsa State.

NAIJARAY learnt that the latest case brings to two the number of active cases in the state.

Governor Douye Diri, disclosed this on Tuesday during a meeting of the COVID-19 Task Force, at the Government House, Yenagoa.

The governor stated that the doctor was earlier admitted at a private hospital before he tested positive for the virus.

He also noted that the travel history of the patient showed that he came into the state from a trip to neighbouring Delta State.

“His travel history showed he came into the state from Delta State. The hospital has been since shut down for decontamination to commence.’’

The governor, who noted that five positive COVID-19 patients had been successfully treated and discharged, cautioned frontline medical personnel handling active cases to adhere strictly to laid down protocols.

Arising from the resolutions taken by the task force, Senator Diri directed that the presidential directives of inter-state lockdown be adopted for another two weeks as well as the dusk-to-dawn curfew of 8 pm to 6 am.

He equally stated that the stay-at-home order for civil servants on grade levels 01-12 be extended for another two weeks as part of strategies to contain the spread of the scourge.

Diri further directed the Head of Service, Mrs Biobelemoye Onyeama to liaise with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, the Chief Medical Director of the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital and his counterpart at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa as well as the Director of Public Health to devise a plan on the gradual return to work of the affected civil servants.

On the issue of worship centres maintaining the social distancing order, the governor permitted Muslims in the state to hold the forthcoming Eid-el Kabir prayers but stressed the need for them to observe all the rules and regulations on COVID-19.

He also relaxed the order on burials in the state but directed that all mortuaries sign an undertaken with the deceased families to abide by the COVID-19 protocols.

“During such burials, there shall be no social gathering, including daytime or night reception or dance,” he said.

The governor further stated that all VIPs and those on essential services coming into the state must submit themselves to screening at the boundary points.