Osun State Government on Monday, announced that the latest variant of COVID-19 has taken lives of 13 of patients in the last seven days, urging residents to be wary of the costly assumption that the state was completely rid of the COVID-19.
It said that the state was now in the grips of the third wave of the dreaded disease , compounded by the fast spreading new variant.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode, at the end of the State Executive Council meeting Osun government warned all residents to take responsibility for their personal safety and the safety of their family members, adding that continued disregard for safety protocols would only result in more fatalities.
The statement read in part: “The commendable gains the state recorded in the fight against COVID-19 over the last one year, is gradually been obliterated by this inevitable resurgence given how our people have almost totally let down their guards. In just one week, we recorded 13 COVID-19 related deaths. The government is worried about this sad turn of events.
“Let’s be reminded that Osun is not an Island, We are surrounded by other states and people move into and outside the state everyday for socio-economic reasons.
“We need to take responsibility for our safety, especially considering the fact that what we are dealing with in this third wave is deadlier than the first two waves.
“Costly assumptions at this time could indeed be costly. Let us be deliberate about our safety, and let us submit ourselves to be tested to be sure of our status, especially when we feel ill. Early detection is still as important as ever because self-meducation thins the survival margin.
“While the government will continue to shore up its efforts in combating the pandemic and its effect on the State, citizens are enjoined to ensure absolute adherence to the non-pharmaceutical safety protocols. Wear your mask always, keep clean surfaces at home and in work spaces, wash or sanitise your hands as often as possible and avoid crowded spaces always.
“The more nonchalant and careless we become at a time like this, the more we open ourselves up to the dangerous effects of the pandemic”, the statement read.
