OVER 50 UNIVERSITY OF UYO TEACHING HOSPITAL HEALTH WORKERS IN SELF-ISOLATION- CMD

The Chief Medical Director of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital,  Dr Ememabasi Bassey, on Saturday revealed that over 50 health workers exposed to the pandemic were awaiting testing.

The associate professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology said this on Inspiration FM monitored in Uyo, the state capital.

He expressed disappointment over the slow pace of testing in the state, saying that the number of COVID-19 infection would probably be higher if there was widespread testing.

He maintained that Lagos was having a higher number of confirmed cases because it had commenced aggressive testing, adding that states claiming not to have COVID-19 could not say so without testing.

“In Akwa Ibom State, we are not testing enough. We need to do more testing because it is when people know they are positive that they can be removed from circulation either by self-Isolation or be admitted in an Isolation centre.

He said

“There are over 50 healthcare workers in the UUTH, including consultant, specialists who are exposed to the disease currently in self-Isolation and awaiting testing. “Imagine the man power being wasted. It still brings us round the same circles that we need to scale up testing in the state. “If they are tested and they are negative, they can return to work and contribute their quota to management of patients”, .

The CMD also hinted that the hospital would commence its isolation and treatment centre on Today – Monday May 11, 2020  to complement the efforts of the state government in curbing COVID-19.