Edo Commissioner for Health, Patrick Okundia, on Thursday, expressed worries over possible adverse economic effects of a total shutdown of the state due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Okundia expressed the worries while briefing the Edo House of Assembly Committee on Health, on what the ministry was doing to contain the spread of the disease in the state.
The commissioner said a total shutdown of the state would badly affect its economy after the containment of COVID-19.
“The bigger problem that might arise in the state after the coronavirus will be an economic disease which will be very difficult to manage.
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“That is what government is trying to avoid and so far, enforcing social distancing, wearing of face masks and enlightenment campaigns are yielding positive results.”
“The state government is very sensitive and responsive; all decisions taken in response to the disease were not taken unilaterally.
“They were taken with due consideration and consultation with stakeholders in the state,” he said.
The commissioner told the committee that the state had recorded 12 cases of the pandemic with one death, adding that members of the state COVID-19 Response Committee were tracing 286 contacts.
The Chairman of the committee and Leader of the House, Roland Asoro, (Orhionmwon South) expressed satisfaction over the measures put in place in the state to contain the spread of the virus.
Asoro gave the assurance that the house would support the fight against the disease in the state.
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