Imo State House of Assembly has been compulsorily shut down for two weeks, following the discovery that the dreaded Covid-19 virus, which berthed in the legislature, has infected two lawmakers.
Confirming the development to newsmen in Owerri, the Chairman, Covid-19 Task Force, Professor Maurice Iwu, said that the identified persons have been moved to the isolation centre for treatment.
“The State House of Assembly has been shut down as a result of the infection noticed in the place. One of the lawmakers and his wife have already been isolated, while the Assembly complex would be shut down for two weeks”, Iwu said.
He explained that the two-week period would not only enable government to fumigate the place, but will also enable other lawmakers to self-isolate. The Task Force Chairman also disclosed that the samples of the entire members of the House of Assembly, their aides and staff, have been taken and the results were being expected.
“The Task Force has enhanced screening of 760 samples. 135 returned positive, with 92 active cases, while 43 patients have been successfully treated and discharged”, Professor Iwu recounted.
Continuing, the Chairman said that a woman died of Covid-19 in Imo, after she was delivered of twin babies, whose sample results returned negative. Answering a question, Professor Iwu said that Covid-19 has not only become a health emergency, but also a social disharmony in the state.
“I advice Imo people and Nigerians in general, to observe all the safety regulations and precautions, as directed by the government”, Iwu pleaded.
