COVID-19: Ekiti Alerts Residents On Delta Variant, Heightens Protocol Enforcement

According to a report by The PUNCH, the Ekiti State Government on Saturday alerted residents on the presence of the Delta variant of COVID-19 virus in Nigeria, saying it is capable of severely impacting infected persons within a short time and as well resist antibodies in the blood, among other worrisome attributes.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Oyebanji Filani; and the Coordinator, COVID-19 Response Task Force, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, said that “World Health Organisation data show that for seven consecutive weeks, Africa has recorded a consistent increase in COVID-19 cases”.

Filani and Aluko, in a jointly signed statement titled, ‘Ekiti responds to confirmed case of Delta variant of COVID-19 in Nigeria,’ said that WHO described the variant as the “most transmissible variant”, with the ability to go undetected in many hosts without the typical symptoms, yet severely impacting other infected persons within a short time.

They urged Ekiti people to “remain vigilant and cautious to ensure that we do not suffer the same fate in Ekiti State and in our country.

“Ekiti State COVID-19 Response Task Force is set to heighten surveillance and the strict enforcement of all existing measures aimed at containing the pandemic in the state. All indigenes and residents are hereby enjoined to adhere to the government’s public health advisories and regulations in our collective interests.

“We must not relent in the practice of preventive measures such as the proper use of masks in public gatherings, maintenance of hand hygiene through proper handwashing or use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers and social distancing.

“The Government of Ekiti State will continue to work closely with the Federal Government and her agencies as well as our development partners to prevent the spread of this disease, no matter the strain.

“One of such ways is through the implementation of a phased vaccination campaign which remains the most effective means of curbing this pandemic and which should be embraced by all. We therefore encourage members of the public to seize the opportunity to receive their vaccine doses once the next phase commences.

“We, however, warn that vaccinated or not, we must not let our guards down, especially as the season of cultural festivals and social events is upon us in our dear state,” they stated.