By Hillary Asemota
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the state is well-prepared to deal effectively with the Delta variant of coronavirus (COVID-19), though there has been no confirmed case of the deadly variant of the virus in the state.
The governor said this during an inspection of Edo State Infectious Disease Isolation Center at the Stella Obasanjo Hospital, Benin City, to assess the state’s readiness to respond to the Delta variant of COVID-19.
Obaseki noted: “We are beginning to see an increasing number of cases of the Delta variant in the country; this has become worrisome, hence the need to undertake a thorough analysis and study of the situation and use the data and information collected to make decisions on issues.
“One of the decisions to be made is the nature and preparation of facilities to receive patients for treatment in case we find ourselves in a difficult situation. The Delta variant is very contagious and spreads very wide, with a greater impact on those that are yet to be vaccinated.”
“We are here at this center to check the readiness of the facilities and the availability of oxygen, as well as ensure that we have all it takes to move 100 patients for treatment,” he stated.
Noting the level of the state’s preparedness, the governor said, “We don’t have an industrial plant here but buy retail cylinders into this facility, ensuring adequate planning and back up so that no matter the amount of oxygen needed, we would get it.”
Speaking on plans to vaccinate more Edo people to protect them from the deadly virus, Obaseki further noted: “I spoke with the National Primary Healthcare Agency last week and as we speak now, I believe that the plane conveying about four million vials of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines should be landing in Abuja, if it hasn’t already.
“We are making arrangements, as a state, to go out and pick up our own consignment and bring them in here to vaccinate more of our people; we don’t have to wait for the national logistics to come and deliver to us. I have made arrangements to charter a plane to go bring them; if I have to personally go and collect those vaccines, I will do so.”
On his part, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Stella Obasanjo Hospital, Dr. Osagie Ebomwonyi, said the facility currently has about 18 patients, out of which 17 are serving corps members.
He said the confirmed cases are unvaccinated, adding, “We are undertaking studies and analysis to find out if we have the Delta variant in the state.”
