Corpse Of COVID-19 Victim From Lagos Seized In Akwa Ibom, Contacts Quarantined

Corpse Of COVID-19 Victim From Lagos Seized In Akwa Ibom, Contacts Quarantined

The government of Akwa Ibom State has intercepted another corpse of a suspected COVID-19 victim said to have been smuggled through Ika local government area of the state.

The state’s Health Commissioner ,Dr Dominic Ukpong, who disclosed this today, said those who conveyed the corpse have been quarantined.

It could be recalled that less than 72 hours ago, the remains of a man who died in Lagos State was intercepted after it had been smuggled into Ikot Ebidang in Onna LGA.

Dr. Ukpong who intimated that the latest body was also transported from Lagos State, said that it was disheartening that despite the interstate lockdown, family members could risk such adventure,.

He added hat such trips usually required the use of bush paths in order to beat security checks on the highways.

The Commissioner said this trend necessitated co-opting of community youths/ vigilantes to compliment the efforts of the police officers and other security personnel on the highways.

He said had sought the cooperation of Health Commissioners in other States in the bid to stall the movement of corpses into and through their States.

He also related to the Committee that the said body had been safely deposited in a mortuary pending the confirmation of its COVID-19 status, adding that the contacts who were with the transporting ambulance are being quarantined.

Acknowledging that in some traditions, it was mandatory to bury the dead in their homelands, Dr. Ukpong said the current global war against the COVID-19 pandemic did not allow for such to be practicable.

He held that any of such corpse when caught, would be buried in accordance with the protocol for burial of an infected corpse and all contacts quarantined.

The health commissioner called on members of the public to support government in the fight against COVID19 by shunning all unwholesome activities and reminded all Medical Superintendents to mandate their morticians to report every corpse that is brought in.