For a second consecutive day, China has reported zero locally transmitted coronavirus infections, while the number of “imported” cases has risen to 39.
There were no new locally transmitted coronavirus infections in the original epicentre of the disease in Hubei province or elsewhere across mainland China over the past day, the National Health Commission said Friday.
The commission counted three new deaths across the country, including two in Hubei province.
There were 39 new cases of “imported” infections among travellers who came from abroad – the largest daily number reported so far.
Beijing has enacted a series of measures to prevent a second wave of COVID-19 infections, including mandatory quarantine for all international arrivals to the capital and the redirection of some inbound flights.
China has so far counted 228 “imported” infections.
So far, 80,967 people have fallen ill with the coronavirus in China and 3,248 have died, while 71,150 have recovered to date, according to the commission.
Meanwhile, the Plateau State Government has directed the closure of all public and private schools in the state, on or before March 21 following an increase in the number of coronavirus cases in the country.
The Secretary to the state government, Prof. Danladi Atu gave the directive in a statement on Thursday in Jos.
He said the schools included pre-primary, primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in the state.
Atu explained that the directive was part of measures to safeguard the lives of Plateau people.
He urged parents to promote the culture of personal and family hygiene, to curtail and prevent the spread of the disease.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nimkong Ndam, called on all school management in the state to provide water, soap and hand sanitizers in their various institutions as preventive measures for the virus.
He urged management of schools to stress the importance of personal hygiene to children, while urging the public to reduce handshaking especially in churches.
Also, Adamawa State Government has directed all schools to close down academic activities on Friday, March 27 as a preventive measure against spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to the state.
The directive was contained in a statement by the Commissioner for Education, Mrs Wilbina Jackson, on Thursday in Yola.
Jackson said: “All Schools must conduct their examinations and close on Friday, March 27, 2020.
“This becomes necessary and urgent due to the mode of transmission update of the COVID-19 by professionals in the health sector.
“Meanwhile health talks and personal hygiene should be intensified amongst the students and pupils.
” The above should be highly adhered to by all authorities concerned ” Jackson said.
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo Stste has ordered the closure of all primary, secondary schools and tertiary institutions in the state from Friday, March 20.
Akeredolu gave the directive in a broadcast on Coronavirus pandemic on Thursday in Akure.
The governor explained that the measure was to “harvest children into the safety net” for proper monitoring and care.
“There is no doubt that this global pandemic poses a real challenge to all nations, yet if we all collaborate effectively, we will overcome it successfully.
“One major advantage that our state has is the experience and expertise we have developed over the years from our fight against Lassa fever and other infections.
“We believe this will place us in good stead at this critical period. It is therefore important for members of the public to remain calm, avoid panic and spreading of inaccurate information,” he said.
Akeeedolu, therefore, called on residents to obey and observe the simple, time-tested and internationally accepted precautionary measures to fight the virus.
“We urge us all to fully embrace the hand washing exercise at every interval of our daily activities. We must avoid hand shaking and unnecessary social embrace.
“We must reduce or where possible, postpone, until further notice, ceremonies and other social gatherings. We urge us to avoid staying in overcrowded areas and avoid any unnecessary travels outside the state.
“It is important we engage in improved self and family hygiene as well as mobilise our community service providers including traders, drivers, butchers, bank workers, health workers to make use of face mask to cover the mouth and the nose when engaging in their daily activities,” he said.
He also charged all major stakeholders to urgently commence a deliberate and comprehensive mobilisation of their members to observe these precautionary measures.
“I, hereby, task our community leaders, political leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, heads of educational institutions, Nigerian Medical Association, Association of General Medical Practitioners and other health workers,
”Leaders of traders association, women groups, youth groups, transport unions and others to urgently commence a deliberate and comprehensive mobilisation of their members to observe these precautionary measures,” he said.
Akeredolu, who denied rumour that the state had recorded one case of Coronavirus, said that the only suspected case was under intense observation and comprehensive test.
“Contrary to the misinformation and mischief set to create panic among our people, I wish to stress that no death has been recorded in Ondo State on account of Coronavirus so far.
“The situation as at today is that a suspected case is under intense observation and comprehensive test.
“This process of surveillance and management currently ongoing in this isolated case is part of the standard procedure in dealing with infectious disease outbreaks. We urge us to ignore the unauthorised and unconfirmed statements.
“We believe this Coronavirus pandemic is another test of our resolve to preserve our existence, we will win by the grace of Almighty God.
“Let me reassure you again that state government will do everything and all things in its power, knowledge and capability to protect and preserve our well-being.
“It is our duty and commitment to ensure that Ondo State people live a healthy and fulfilled life,” he said.
