On March 21, the first case of the novel Coronavirus disease was confirmed in Oyo State.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde had said the new development calls for stepping up measures to prevent, contain, and control the spread of the virus.
While speaking on the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), lamented that the pandemic would affect the people socially, economically and spiritually.
With this, the Makinde-led Oyo government swiftly redesignated the Maternal and Health Centre at Olodo as the Oyo State Infectious Disease Centre with a capacity for over 100 cases.
The government also announced a collaboration with the College of Medicine by setting up two Diagnostic Centres at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. The centres are awaiting the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control’s (NCDC) validation.
Initially announcing plans to create 100-bed spaces for isolation of coronavirus suspects in five special centres, the government reduced them to three to allow time for rehabilitation of other isolation centres across the state.
InsideOyo.com looks at the three isolation centres:
1. Jericho Chest Hospital, Ibadan – Ten-bed isolation centre
Jericho chest centre is located around Sabo-Onireke Road, Jericho, Ibadan. It operates 24 hours and
2. University College Hospital, Ibadan – Four-bed isolation centre
University College Hospital, Ibadan is a federal teaching hospital in Ibadan attached to the University of Ibadan. It is located att Layi Ayanniyi Street, Ibadan.
3. LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso – Four-bed isolation centre
It is around General, In Sabi, Ogbomoso.
The government dropped 2 Division, Nigeria Army, Odogbo, and Maternity Centre, Olodo, Ibadan as isolation centres.
Other measures are:
1. Emergency operation centre
2. Diagnostic Centre
3. Two ambulances dedicated to coronavirus cases to be provided.
4. Activation of the disease surveillance and notifications system in the 33 LGAs and 35 LCDAs
5. Enlightenment campaigns.
6. Wash centres will be provided in markets and public places.
