Coronavirus: Bayelsa deploys health workers on surveillance

Bayelsa State Government has deployed health workers across the eight Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state for surveillance over possible coronavirus outbreak, especially in Brass, where an Italian firm operates.

Dr. Yerinbuluemi Stowe, Director of Public Health, in the state Ministry of Health, stated this while speaking with newsmen in Yenogoa, on Sunday.

Stowe said that the health workers were trained on how to check and prevent the outbreak of the deadly disease.

He said the government had also inaugurated a-19-man committee saddled with the responsibility of coordinating all response activities on the virus.

“Membership of the committee includes port authorities in Brass Island and Age seaport in Ekeremor LGA, where international travelers can enter the state.

”We have created an isolation center at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, which has been approved by the Nigeria Centre for Diseases Control (NCDC).

”We have already created a rapid response team for an emergency at both local governments and state levels.

“We urge everyone in the state to be calm and avoid spreading fake news about the virus,” Stowe said.

Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), an affiliate of Italian energy firm Eni, operates an oil export terminal in Brass with Italian expatriates frequently visiting the area.

The first case of COVID-19 in Nigeria has been traced to an Italian.