COVID-19: I’ll get vaccinated first to boost confidence, says Obaseki
Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has said that he will be the first person to be vaccinated in the state to boost the citizens’ confidence in taking the Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.
Obaseki disclosed this on Friday in Benin while addressing journalists on the need for residents not to be scared of the vaccines.
The governor said “I will take mine and if I take mine and am okay, that will give confidence to Edo people.
“The preventive protocol will still be in place, don’t forget that it will still take a while to vaccinate almost 80 per cent of the population that is expected to be vaccinated.
“The fact that you have taken the vaccine does not mean you should be careless, you should not wear a mask, you should not protect yourself because many more people may have not received their own vaccination.
“So, we will still continue to insist and advocate that our people should conduct themselves and behave to prevent COVID-19 from spreading,” he said.
The governor, however, assured that he would provide adequate logistics and security at the state medical facilities during the vaccination exercise.
Edo State recorded 30 new cases and 82 recoveries from coronavirus (COVID-19), as the government intensifies enforcement and sensitization campaigns across the state to curtail spread of the second wave of the virus.
The State COVID-19 Incident Manager, Dr. Andrew Obi, disclosed this during the daily virtual meeting of the State COVID-19 Taskforce, chaired by the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.
Obi reassured that the government will continue to put in place nuanced measures to contain the pandemic and protect Edo people, urging residents to leverage the various testing and sample collection centres provided by the state government to confirm their COVID-19 status.
He further charged citizens with any COVID-19 symptoms to contact the Edo Emergency Operation Centre on this toll-free number: 08003625000 for assistance.
The Incident Manager noted, “Edo, in the last 24 hours, recorded 30 confirmed cases, 82 recoveries from COVID-19, with 315 active cases.”
He reiterated the state government’s charge for residents to adhere to the precautionary health and safety protocols to guard against the spread of the virus, adding that the various isolation and treatment centres in the state are currently managing the 315 active cases in the state.
He added: “As the government intensifies measures to contain the pandemic across all communities, it is necessary for everyone to comply with prevention protocols to curb the spread of the second wave of the virus.
“Basic precautionary measures and hygienic practices, including proper and compulsory use of facemasks, keeping safe social distance, avoiding large gatherings, regular hand washing with soap and the use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers, must be duly adhered to in order for citizens to be safe and healthy.”
