Remarks attributable to Oseloka H. Obaze | ANSG’s relaxation of lockdown precipitate

ANSG’s relaxation of lockdown precipitate

I do not routinely comment on policy actions of ANSG. However, there is a time to speak up. While not privy to the reasons that informed Anambra State authorities relaxing it’s lockdown policy and “movement around Anambra,” I am extremely concerned that such a precipitate policy action has dire public health repercussions, more so since it is not accompanied by aggressive in-state testing. 

While I remain mindful of the deleterious economic impact of a lockdown on Anambra population and businesses, I am firmly of the view that Anambra State can ill-afford to be blind to the total lack of census of asymptomatic carriers within the State. Also, State authorities cannot ignore the attendant cumulative R-Value; that is the number of people being infected daily by such unidentified infected persons. Neither can Anambra authorities ignore the fact that coronavirus is invisible, nimble, has trans-boundary capacity, and will spread exponentially. We must draw lessons from Kano State that went from zero to 147 cases in less than one week. 

Consequently, State authorities in allowing even one or two unidentified, untested carriers unfettered access to Anambra’s general population, local communities, markets and churches, will spell nothing but a public health crisis in weeks and months ahead. I pray earnestly that I am wrong! OHO
Oseloka H. Obaze 

Awka, AN