By Jennifer John
The Imo State action Committee on COVID 19, led by Prof. Maurice Iwu has given further insight into the reported 26 new cases of Coronavirus in the state.
Briefing newsmen on Tuesday, May 26, Prof Iwu informed that the new cases were diagnosed from 96 passengers who were on transit through the state and whose samples were taken, tested and 25 returned positive, even when they were allowed to continue their journey to their destination.
He said only one of the positive case, the 26th person stayed back in Imo and currently in isolation while the committee has notified authorities in the areas where the 25 positive ones were travelling to.
He described them as silent spreaders who do not know they were carrying the virus, a situation he described as very dangerous as they easily spread the virus without also knowing.
The action committee chairman frowned seriously at the flouting of the federal government approved a ban on interstate movements and warned that henceforth jail terms await people who trespass into the state.
Responding to a question why the 25 cases should be ascribed to Imo when they did not stay back in Imo, he said, “Because the samples were taken from here and belong to the state. That is why we should not allow them to trespass into the state, this is the first and last time that such a thing should be allowed to happen”.
On the issue of Policemen who intercepted them, he said their samples have been talking for testing to find out if any of them were infected.
