By Racheal Oyelola
Oyo State Government on Wednesday said that no fewer than 192 people have died as a result of Coronavirus also known as COVID-19 in the state.
Recall that hundreds of people have died as result of COVID-19 since its outbreak in China in December 2019. The first case of coronavirus was recorded in Nigeria in March 2020.
The State Health Educator, Mr. Olarinde Olaoye, made this disclosure while speaking at a one-day media orientation on the COVID-19 mass vaccination campaign organised by the state government in collaboration with Breakthrough Action-Nigeria, held in Ibadan.
Olaoye, while speaking, explained that the state recorded 8 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday.
Olaoye, while speaking on the prevalence, fatality and incidence rates of COVID-19, insisted that the state has recorded 8,794 confirmed cases of COVID-19, while 8,577 have recovered.
He added that the state currently has 25 active cases.
Olaoye, while speaking further, urged residents to go to the designated centres to get their vaccines.
He said, “As at 9a.m. yesterday, the state recorded 8 new cases. We have 73,877 suspected cases.
“We have 8,794 confirmed cases of COVID-19, we have 25 active cases and 8,577 have recovered. We have recorded 192 deaths.”
Senior Program Officer of Breakthrough Action-Nigeria, Mr. Eze Eze, while speaking, noted that the media orientation was organised in order to sensitize media practitioners about the ongoing mass vaccination in the state.
He added that the program was organised in recognition of the role of the media in educating the public.
“It is in recognition of the role of the media that this program was held. We want to sensitise the public, to use the media to educate the people on the COVID-19 mass vaccination activities in the state.
“As part of the work to support COVID hesitancy in Oyo State, the Breakthrough Action-Nigeria, Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) team and the Oyo State Government is holding this Media Orientation meeting with media partners across Radio, Print, TV and bloggers.
“The objective is to improve knowledge and awareness about vaccination and increase the number of eligible persons vaccinated in the community and among students on campuses.”