Makinde awaits 1,800 allocated COVID-19 vaccines

Governor Seyi Makinde

Governor Seyi Makinde: orders reopening of Shasha market.

Governor Seyi Makinde

By David Adeoye

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, on Wednesday, said that the Federal Government had allocated 1,800 vaccines to the state, out of about 100,000 vaccines procured for the country.

Makinde made the disclosure during a press conference held at the Government House, Agodi in Ibadan.

However, the governor noted that the number of vaccines allocated to the state was grossly inadequate based on the population of between seven and 12 million people.

He said that his government was exploring other means of getting the vaccine to the people through opening discussion directly with a vaccine manufacturer on how the state could get as many as possible for the people of the state.

The governor also said that the COVID-19 data available in the state was not indicating a second wave as the curve never flattened.

To his knowledge, about 20,000 COVID-19 tests were conducted between March and December 2020 with 3,000 results confirmed positive.

“I have always said that all our responses to COVID-19 in Oyo state will be guided by data, science and logic. So, as far as the Oyo state is concerned; the data we have is not pointing to the second wave as the curve never flattened.

“Rather we have more people becoming complacent and acting as if the pandemic is over. But the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC), has continued its work of monitoring and enlightenment.

“The data says COVID-19 is still very much with us, Science is telling us that we can slow down the spread by taking precautions and the logical thing to do is to follow what science dictates.

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“We know how difficult 2020 was for a lot of us, so logically we should not do things that will make the situation worse,’’ Makinde advised.

He said that this was not the time for people to let down their guard, stressing “we should not take any of the precautions lightly.

“In the last months we have unfortunately recorded eight deaths, so even though many persons have mild to moderate symptoms, it is severe for a few.

“And since we do not know who it will be severe on we need to keep our guards up.

“On our part, we are doing everything within our power to provide more resources for the EOC to continue to manage the spread of the disease.

“We are facilitating greater collaboration among the laboratories, the University College Hospital Ibadan and the Olodo Disease Infectious Centre.

“Also, we are carrying out training for private clinics/hospitals so that they can follow the right protocols,” Makinde stated.

The governor further revealed that his government would soon sign an MoU with a private company to use its facilities if the need is for those who might need oxygen.

He urged all residents of the state to continue to strictly observe the COVID-19 guidelines, use their nose masks always, wash their hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based sanitisers, keep proper social distancing, among others.

NAN

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