The Cross River State response team chairman and Commissioner for health, Dr Betta Edu, Secretary and Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Asuquo Ekpenyong and other members of the team have categorically maintained that the state is Covid-19 free.

They made the assertion at press briefing on Friday, April 3rd, 2020 at the health commissioner office, while concurring,

 "There is no suspected or confirmed case in Cross River State" as the results of the samples to Laboratory in Iruan, Edo state have all come negative. 

Dr Betta Edu said that the very proactive steps of the Governor Sen Ben Ayade at this point has distinguished CRS and kept us above the Pack. 

The team explained that the number one strategy of the state government in battling Covid-19 is prevention ; noting that the government with stakeholders and line MDAs have embarked on a lot of sensitization through urging Cross Riverians on regular hand washing with soap as well as using of alcohol based hand sanitizers.

The chairman, Dr. Betta Edu recalled that there are two Isolation centres in the state located at University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) which has been equipped by  the Cross River State Government and the other at General Hospital, Ogoja. That earlier 5200 personal prevention equipment (PPEs) were distributed across the state and more will be sent to the isolation centers if the need arise.

The response team informed that the state Governor, Sir Ben Ayade has authorized the production and distribution of Nose masks and hand sanitizers to everyone free of charge. 

Adding that palliative measures using world bank data will be used for issuance of food stuff. 

It strongly encouraged the citizenry to observe the state government orders which include, stay at home; use of face/nose masks in all public places; use of hand sanitizers and regular hand washing as potent preventive measures against the ravaging Coronavirus. That enforcement for the use of masks has been shifted to 06/04/2020 being Monday next week.

Across section of members present at the media briefing were; Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Comrade Asu Okang, Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Okon Owuna; Commissioner for Welfare Humanitarian services, Mrs. Blessing Egbara; Chairman, Cross River State House of Assembly committee on health Dr. Ekpo Ekpo Bassey and permanent secretary ministry of water related resources , Dr. Joseph Bassey and other dignitaries.

...Health Care Professionals in Akwa Ibom State have called for an immediate reconfirmation test on the 5 reported cases.

TheEaglesVoiceBlog can confirm from a tweet from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control NCDC that Nigeria has this evening recorded Nineteen (19) new cases of Coronavirus, five (5)) of which was confirmed in Akwa Ibom State, 7 in Abuja, 9 in Lagos, 1 Kaduna, and 1 Bauchi, respectively. 

However, as at 8:00pm April, 2020, the NCDC reported 23 new confirmed cases, taking the total to 174.

The tweet read:

 “Twenty-three new cases of #COVID19 have been reported in Nigeria; 9 in Lagos, 7 in the FCT, 5 in Akwa Ibom, 1 in Kaduna and 1 in Bauchi State.

“As at 08:00 pm 1st April there are 174 confirmed cases of #COVID19 reported in Nigeria. Nine have been discharged with two deaths.

 

“As at 08:00 pm 1st April, there are:

174 confirmed cases

9 discharged

2 deaths

“For a breakdown of cases by states-

Currently;

Lagos- 91

FCT- 35

Osun- 14

Oyo- 8

Ogun- 4

Edo- 4

Kaduna- 4

Bauchi- 3

Enugu- 2

Ekiti- 2

Rivers-1

Benue- 1

Akwa Ibom- 5

... patient under close monitoring

As part of a proactive measure against the spread of the ravaging Coronavirus pandemic, codenamed Covid 19, Cross River State governor, Professor Ben Ayade,Tuesday approved the release of N500 million for the state's newly inaugurated COVID-19 Response Team.

The team which was inaugurated on Tuesday, by Ayade at the open field of the Governor's Office,  Calabar, was also given 20 vehicles to support its operations.

The mandate of the Response Team, according  to the governor is to safeguard the state against the global scourge.

Ayade used the opportunity to appeal to the federal government to give special treatment to the state as a result of its strategic border location.

Said he: "Cross River is an international border state, and with the incident in Cameroon, I call on President Muhammadu Buhari, I call on the Minister of Health to treat Cross River in a very peculiar way. We need the obvious and express attention of the federal government"

charged the team headed by the Commissioner for Health, Dr.Betta Edu to work assiduously to ensure that all preventive measures against the spread were adhered to.

The governor announced the release of N500m and 20 vehicles to support the activities of the Respons team, saying it was the desire of his administration to ensure Cross River remained Covid 19-free.

While charging the task force, Ayade said: "You are all aware that there is no unanimity about the history of this global pandemic but Cross River, as a state governed by two Professors, we must find ways and provide a leading direction at the sub-national level.

It is therefore, our desire to ensure that Cross River continues to maintain zero incidence as far as this pandemic is concerned."

Spelling out the mandate of the taskforce, Ayade said: "To achieve this, we are hereby setting up this Taskforce whose core mandate is to guarantee the full implementation of the lockdown of our borders to ensure that medicines, food supplies and welfare packages are made avilable to our people.

"We are sensitive to the challenges of locking down a state where people have barely earned their last salary, therefore, the social sensitivity of our lockdown must reflect in the subsequent actions we take. Against this background, I'm setting up a this taskforce with subcommittees. As I said before, this taskforce is to realise a COVID 19- free Cross River."

Governor Ayade lamented the effect of partial lock down on the people of the state but assured of palliative measures to crushion the effects.

"Let me inform you also that we have recalled workers at the garment factory for the mass production of face and nose masks to protect our citizens.

"The closure of our borders no doubt has come with adverse consequences for our people. I have a moral obligation to give our people protection. With a heavy sense of burden, with spiritual consciousness that I have a responsibility to those who in search of their daily living have been affected by this border closure. It is against this background therefore, that I'm asking the Chairman of this taskforce to expedite action in ensuring that in all of those border points, proper screenings must take place so that all those who are free must get all the necessary medical supplies- sanitizers, nose masks etc.

"We are going to release the sum of N500m in the first instance. I will like to announce also that we have received the sum of N28M from UBA, we are also going to get support from Zenith Bank and First Bank. We hope that other corporate organisations will at this time come to our rescue."

According to the governor,  "As a state whose last allocation was little above N1b, Cross River cannot afford to have even a single COVID 19 incident, so prevention indeed is better than cure. And to achieve this, public fumigation of public centres becomes imperative.

"You are also to ensure that citizens have access to food, access to livelihood because after the Coronavirus comes humanity. And so we must be careful so that we dont create social vices- increased in criminality because of lack of food.That is why the Food Bank Director- General must recognize that food supplies to the various local governments are essential."

Ayade further mandated all his commissioners to ensure that food supplies from the Cross River Food Bank get to their local governments.

 " I use this opportunity to announce that all commissioners are the Food Coordinating officers, supplies coordinating officers for their various local governments areas.

For me, the absolute shutdown of Cross River at this time will be unwarranted but nobody will be allowed to walk on the streets of Cross River from next week without face and nose masks.The Garment factory is mass producing the masks.

"I urge you to serve your motherland with dignity, dedication and commitment and ensure that the livelihood of the people remains intact. Go out there and be the good Ambassador of this government."

The former Minister of Aviation and Culture, Femi Fani-Kayode has this morning addressed the issue of the United States of America, France, Germany and Israel intending to evacuate their citizens away from Nigerians due to the increased Coronavirus cases recorded in Nigeria.

Recall that last week on the 27th of March, 2020, the United States consulate informed all Americans in Nigeria to make appearance at Abuja and Lagos and get ready to be evacuated back to the United States due to increase of the recorded cases of Coronavirus in Nigeria which was rounding up to eighty one at the time.

Likewise, other countries like Germany, France and Israel have also sent messages to their citizens in Nigeria asking them to get ready for evacuation. What is funny though, is that the recorded cases of the Coronavirus in these countries are much higher than that in Nigeria.

And so reacting to this, the former spokesman to former president Olusegun Obasanjo, Femi Fani-Kayode has stated that even though they may be more technically inclined than we are, they can all go as God is with us, therefore making us more than conquerors:

U.S., France, Germany & Israel evacuate citizens from Nigeria? 

Let them go! We shall get through this without them. We may not have their resources but we have God. He will never leave us or forsake us. We shall get through this and the name of the Lord shall be glorified.

Follow Adoga Michael Oyi on Facebook for more updates.

Twitter: @Tev_media1, @AdogaMikeOyi

News hub

Let us take a quick look at the stats of the number of COVID-19 cases across the world, since the outbreak of this deadly pandemic. The USA has 123,000 cases with 3,000 recoveries which stands at 2%. Italy has 92,000 cases with 12,000 recoveries which stands at 13%. Spain's 16%, Germany's 14% and the UK 0.7% recovery rate is another point to ponder about at this point. But have you noticed that China had 81,000 cases and 75,000 recoveries which pegs her recovery rate at a staggering 92.5%.

China gave the world this virus, China now has the highest recovery rate; don't you think China owes the world an explanation? It’s either China has a cure/vaccine that they are not sharing with the world; or China is lying about the true numbers, or China is lying about the true purpose and intention of this virus unleashed on the world.

To make matters worse, some countries like Spain and Czech Republic lamented that China sold them fake testing kits in this global crisis. “China had it the longest so their recovery is highest” and by the way, the earliest clusters outside China was Japan, Thailand, South Korea; but today, Japan has 1600 cases, 400 recoveries and Thailand has 1300 cases with 97 recoveries. And these were the first places outside China. China is not being honest, they owe the world an explanation

South Korea has had it as long as China/ with few weeks behind China but till now, South Korea recovery numbers is barely 60% while 92% recovery from China actually begs for a lot of investigation. Anyway, when this whole pandemic ends, the whole world has a lot to learn if we ever get to know the whole truth. And somehow, this virus missed Shanghai and Beijing- the most important cities in terms of economy and trade for China; is that a coincidence?

Quarantine? Lockdown? Good explanation. But Milan was hit; London is hit right now; Paris was hit; New York is hit right now; Only China’s best cities escaped. Will we ever get the truth? I’m not sure. If there is something I am sure of, I know China is not totally honest on this thing.This virus has ruined Europe; it is ruining America as we speak. This virus is killing people round the world and sinking global economies.

Somehow, China in the middle of all this is recording a 92% recovery rate. Something is fishy. Something doesn’t add up somewhere. These are the actual numbers: Spain 73,000 cases and 12,000 recoveries; Germany 57,000 cases and 8,000 recoveries; UK 17,000 cases and 135 recoveries; Iran 35,000 cases and 11,000 recoveries.

Look through the chart, only China has 92.5% recovery. There’s something China is NOT telling the world!

Images from Google

The Registrar of the university of Calabar, Amb. Jammy Egbe Gabriel has admonished staff of the University to be cautious of the ravaging pandemic threatening the world at large and Nigeria in particular. The Registrar stated this in a message he sent to the staff through the University interactive platform. He expressed great concern over the magnitude of the spread of this deadly virus and enjoined staff to cultivate  healthy lifestyles. 

Read the full text of the Registrar's message, 

 "I bring you greetings from the innermost part of my heart. Today is the end of March and the eight day since we all deserted our workplace  in full compliance with the Federal Government's directive on measures to combat the deadly covid 19 pandemic. 

My very dear and patriotic workers of our great university, our decision to go into " isolation" was  part of our collective resolve to fight the destructive effects of the coronavirus threatening the world. We should therefore, not see this compulsory break as a period of fun. The reality facing us today, calls for serious concern.

The virus is wrecking terrible havoc across the globe with the number of positive confirmed cases rising on daily basis. In Nigeria our only country, the virus is spreading very fast across the States of the Federation.

I still have confidence that no matter the magnitude of the spread, it can never locate any of my University workers in Jesus Christ name.

Let me add my voice to the call by well meaning individuals on the need to take proactive measures in tackling the ravaging pandemic. 

As we stay at home, please don't just stay at home,for the fun of it. Begin now to teach yourself, your children and your household, what you know and hear about Covid 19. Learn to listen to World,  national and local news. Visit your social media platforms for informed and educative news on the happenngs around the world. The following healthy lifestyles will surely help us:

Do not allow water to dry up in your house. Always keep clean water and soap for you and your household to wash hands at least every 5 to 10 minutes.                            Do not shake hands with anybody, not even your partner.  

For now, I will even advice couples to stop eating together from the same  plate. Keep or carry your hand sanitizer with you always. Teach your household how to use them. Avoid crowded areas. Do not attend events where you have more than 5 persons in attendance. As many times as your kids touch or open the doors, their toys, their pen or pencil , tell them to wash their hands immediately. 

We must practice social distancing in our relationship with others. Get a bigger bed and maintain this distance even with your spouse. No sacrifice is too big to make at this point of our history. Let us eat food that will boost our immune system. Use face mask when necessary.  

We should for now, reduce if not avoid smoking and taking alcohol.

When you observe  symptoms such as headache, fever, cough and weakness of the body, call any of the toll free lines for assistance.           Above all,  it is time for all of us to know God. We must turn to Him in prayers. He alone can bail us out of this brazing quagmire .

So far, I am happy to announce to you that, all our staff and their beautiful families home and in diaspora are doing wonderfully well even in these  eight days of our stay at home. 

 I am very confident that in  no distant time from now,  we shall overcome this temptation. We are eagerly looking up to that day when all of us will come back to the welcoming arms of our dear Vice Chancellor, Prof Zana Akpagu. Like the Israelites that returned back from the war front in (Number 31.49) to report to Moses saying  " we counted and no one is missing ", we shall all return and NO ONE WILL MISS AMONGST US IN JESUS NAME.

Amb. Gabriel Egbe, fcai

Your Chief Scribe and head servant.

The Commissioner  for Health, Dr. Betta Edu has on behalf of  Cross River State  Government  Appreciated Arthur Jarvis University,  Akpabuyo as the  COVID-19  Response team received preventive and protective  items from the institution. 

Dr. Edu at the presentation  revealed that Arthur Jarvis  University  was the first  organisation or individual to donate to the CRS COVID-19 Response in support  of the State Government  efforts  on the ongoing  fight against  Coronavirus. 

According  to her "the state government  is yet to receive  anything  from the Federal  government  while calling on FG and other good spirited persons, corporate  bodies and individuals  to support  Cross River State  as the COVID-19 is not about political or ethnic inclination but a common interest to save humanity!

She appealed to the Federal  Government  to provide  testing  centres in the State and other States of the Federation  as the existing  six can not meet the needs  of the citizenry; stressing that there exist dire need for ventilators, infrared  thermometers  and other items in the country.

Dr. Edu opined that with  everyone's support  whether  materials,  financial and otherwise Cross River State  will be COVID-19  free; adding  that the State  Government  is proud of Arthur  Jarvis University. 

Also on hand to receive  the items was her counterpart  in the Ministry of  Quality  Education,  Dr. Godwin Amanke.

The Vice Chancellor,  Arthur  Jarvis University,  Prof. Ani Nkang on behalf  of Management  and Staff of the institution  in making  the presentation  louded the State Government for  the measures so far taken to ensure  the state is COVID-19  free.

He hoped their humble donation  will help Government's  preventive measures. Prof. Nkang called on Cross Riverians  and residents  to abide  by the regulations  put in place; adding that their institution  was closed down to support and strengthen  state Government  measures  already  taken.

Speaking  in similar  vein, the founder of the University, Sir Athur Archibong appealed for more Sensitization  in Local Government  areas(LGA) among Paramount  Rulers, Villagers and their subjects on Government  policies  on COVID-19  as well enforcements  since the rural populace seem to be  aloof on the reality and existence  of Coronavirus. 

Sir Archibong, called on political Leaders  both past and present  to contribute  through  Sensitization  and materials  especially  in their constituencies  to educate their people  as well as enforcement  on ban for social  gatherings and social  distancing  by the task force put in place.

The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has revealed that he tested positive for coronavirus. Makinde disclosed this in a series of tweets from his official handle on Monday evening. “I just received my COVID-19 confirmation test result. It is POSITIVE. I am asymptomatic and will continue to self-isolate. I have designated Prof Temitope Alonge, former Chief Medical Director of the University College, Ibadan, as the Head of COVID-19 Task Force while I recover fully. Please continue to comply with all the directives from the COVID-19 Task Force. Stay home, stay safe,” he wrote.

The taskforce team constituted by the Cross River State Government through the ministry of health has began enforcement of the stay at home order by the state government gearing towards containing the coronavirus pandemic ravaging the world.

Though there's no recorded case of Covid-19 in Cross River State but the state government is putting proper measures in place to prevent any outbreak in the state.

Read Also Covid-19: Stay At Home Order; Cross River State Government To Seal Churches Found With More Than Five Worshippers

Remember the health Commissioner, Dr. Betta Edu earlier this week constituted a taskforce team to enforce the stay at home order. TheEaglesVoiceBlog can report that, the Obubra taskforce leader has began work in earnest, as sellers and buyers of non essential commodities are being sent back home for their safety.

See photos...

Boris Johnson has tested positive for coronavirus.

The prime minister has mild symptoms and will self-isolate in Downing Street, but will continue to take charge of the government’s handling of the crisis.

He posted a video on Friday morning on Twitter saying he has a temperature and a persistent cough. “I am working from home, I’m self isolating, and that’s entirely the right thing to do,” he said. “But be in no doubt that I can continue… to communicate with all my top team and lead the national fightback against coronavirus.”

...To ensure adequate compliance with the lockdown directive

A breakdown of the number of the additional cases showed that 12 new cases were discovered in Lagos while the remaining two were confirmed in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Six of the cases were detected on a vessel and three others were returning travellers into the country while the remaining case was a close contact of a confirmed case.

 #14 New Cases Of COVID #COVID19 @WHO #COVID19Nigeria #FactsNotFear #CoronaVirusInNigeria

Nigeria announced new cases of COVD-19 on Wednesday night, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 51, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has disclosed.

The NCDC on its website said, “On the 25th March 25, 2020, five new confirmed cases of COVID-19 was recorded in Nigeria.

“Till date, 51 cases have been confirmed, two cases have been discharged and one death from COVID-19 recorded in Nigeria

“Of the new six cases reported on March 25, three are in Lagos State, one is in Osun State, one in Rivers State, and one is in FCT. All new cases have mild to moderate symptoms and are currently receiving care.”

The Coronavirus epidemic is currently ravaging the continents of the world as there are a lot of changes globally.

As this virus spreads, we are getting fully informed on a lot of things like; how to practice social distancing, wash our hands, properly sanitize and use face masks, but we are not hearing much about how we can boost our immunity to act as a defense against this virus and fight off infections if we ever get exposed to it.

We all need to be aware that no matter what happens, our immune system is the only weapon we have to stay strong during this period, as there is no known cure and vaccine for this virus.

So what that means is that we have to eat as healthily as possible.

Just as expected in times like this, there’s already an high increase in the sales of supplement.

But rather than taking those tablets that claim to “boost your immune system” with no good supporting evidence, the real food you eat has a big impact on your defense and response to this wide spreading epidemic.

Now that you know, it’s important to have loads of healthy foods on hand, now that there’s a shutdown in most countries.

You basically need Food that are rich in fibre, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other immune supporting compounds.

For the helping you out, We have compiled a list of food that you should eat during this period.

1) FRUITS AND VEGETABLES: if you don’t normally take fruits, or cook with the abundant vegetables that we have all around, you are not doing your body any good. The essential micro nutrients needed to fight infections include vitamin A, B, C D, and E and a lot of these vitamins can be gotten from fruits and vegetables.



We need vitamin A to help make antibodies which neutralizes the pathogens that cause infection.

Some vegetables contain beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. A good example is your carrot and other leafy green vegetables.

Of course you need Vitamin C which is really crucial for keeping your immune system strong.  Examples are oranges, lemons, limes, berries, kiwifruit and others.

Also, when shopping for fruits, think long lasting fruits like Banana, Apples, and Oranges etc.

2) WHOLE GRAINS: These classes of food are an essential part of a healthy diet.

Whole grains are edible seeds of a plant e.g, Rice, Oat, Corn, wheat.

They abound with heart healthy soluble fiber that regulates blood pressure and cholesterol level.



They can also be refined into food products for wheat flour, wheat bread, pasta and others.

Examples include: Rice, Wheat, Oatmeal, Corn etc.

You need to incorporate them into your diet if you haven’t and a good way to do this is through making homemade Granola Bars.

I’ll show you all about it later.

So ask yourself! Are you eating them enough?

3) FIBRE RICH FOODS: A lot of those whole grain foods we talked about above are very rich in Fiber.

Take more cereals, make the Oat Meals, and use the Corn Kernel for Popcorn.



The vegetables we eat too are also fiber fortified.

Now is the best time to fill up your system with these powerful food.

4) PROTEIN RICH FOOD: Your body needs protein now more than ever before.

You need to invest in those classes of food rich in essential protein like your Beans, Fish, Milk, Egg, Chicken, and Meat.

This type of food can last you longer.



Egg for instance can stay fresh for weeks when you store them properly.

Milk has a good shelf life, you can store up your Chicken and meat in the freezer.

5) NUTS:  Yes! Healthy Nuts! You need a high dose of them in this season.

Although according to health experts, the highest nut rich in calcium, Vitamins and other vital Minerals is the Almond Nut.

Others too are nutrient packed and fully loaded with a lot of antioxidants and fibre, and the good thing is they come dry.



Examples include your Dates, Cashew, Tiger Nuts Hazel Nut, Walnut etc...

... sensitizes people on the preventive measures of coronavirus pandemic