Osun State Government had insisted that contrary to the viral news, that six people tested positive for coronavirus disease had escaped from the state’s Isolation facility at Ejigbo, only one of them had actually escaped from the centre.
The state government’s stance was announced by the Information and Civic Orientation Commissioner, Funke Egbemode, in a Press Statement made available to newsmen.
KAFTAN Post had earlier reported that Ejigbo and neighbouring towns in Osun State was thrown into panic after some Cote d’Ivoire returnees being examined for coronavirus reportedly absconded.
According to our sources, the 137 Abidjan returnees escaped from Wole Soyinka Government High School, Ejigbo where they were being quarantined.
About a dozen out of the 80 tested returned positive.
However, the remainder grew increasingly impatient with the slow pace of the exercise and resorted to escaping.
It was gathered that the security operatives watched helplessly as they exited the facility.
It would be recalled that the Chief Press Secretary to the Osun State Governor, Ismail Omipidan, had earlier promised that the true situation of things would be known after a headcount at the centre.
However, Egbemode has now issued a statement insisting that only one person escaped from isolation.
According to Egbemode, “nothing can be further from the truth. As a government, we have not issued any statement to confirm or deny such story. Besides, a quick check showed that the name and number of the first person on the list of the purported missing patients, is indeed currently in our facility in Ejigbo”.
It should be recalled that NCDC has confirmed that the country’s coronavirus cases have now risen to 210 on Friday, with four deaths recorded and 25 patients discharged.
Six new cases were confirmed in Osun on Friday. This brings the total number of confirmed cases in the state to 20.
Read the full statement below
The Truth about Ejigbo returnees – Osun Govt
Our attention has been drawn to a story purporting that six persons were missing from our Isolation centre in Ejigbo.
One of the writers quoted a non-existent statement from the government to lend some measure of credibility to the story.
Nothing can be further from the truth. As a government, we have not issued any statement to confirm or deny such story. Besides, a quick check showed that the name and number of the first person on the list of the purported missing patients, is indeed currently in our facility in Ejigbo.
Recall that about a week ago, we received 127 returnees from Ivory Coast and we have kept them since then to avoid community transfer of the virus.
This morning we embarked on a headcount and found out that only one person could not be accounted for by officials stationed at the Isolation centre out of the 127 persons.
The State Government is currently investigating the matter and will ensure that the missing person is brought back to the Isolation centre and we will also ensure we trace all his contacts.
We want to reiterate that any official(s) found culpable will also be dealt with accordingly.
We implore members of the public to discountenance the alarm being raised. We will continue to do everything to protect the lives of our citizens in this fight against Coronavirus.
Signed
Mrs. Funke Egbemode
Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation.
