Oyo State Government has tested 3,433 samples for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the last three months as part of efforts to contain its spread.
Dr Korede Ikwunne, a member of the Infection, Prevention and Control Committee, Oyo State Emergency Operation Centre, gave the figure to newsmen at a seminar on Monday in Ibadan.
The one-day programme was aimed at orientating media professionals on 2020 measles awareness creation and COVID-19 response in Oyo State.
Ikwunne, who noted that the state recorded its index case on March 26, said that the government had activated community testing centres across the state.
She urged the state residents to adhere strictly to all preventive measures given by health professionals toward curtailing the spread of the virus.
Dr Olalotiti Lawal, UNICEF representative, emphasised the need for parents to ensure that their children would be vaccinated against measles.
Dr Marcus Oluwadare, WHO representative, commended the media for sensitising the people at the grassroots on programmes and policies.
He said that administration of vaccines would help children to be healthy.
He regretted that the outbreak of COVID-19 had made many people to lose focus of other dangerous ailments.
Earlier, Dr Muyideen Olatunji, Executive Secretary, Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board, said that the seminar was essential considering the importance of the media in the dissemination of right information.
Olatunji said that the essence of the programme was to ensure that COVID-19 would not cause neglect of other ailments.
He said that awareness must be made to ensure that children under two years would be vaccinated against measles.
He said that the media had important roles to play in correcting myth, rumours and misgivings on prevention as well as cure of COVID-19 including intake of carrot, ginger and garlic.
“The objective of this training is to create awareness on the need for children under two years to get vaccinated so that every caregiver will be conscious of it.
“We are also here to engage media practitioners to help us to create awareness and remove the issue of myth, rumour and misgivings on the prevention and cure of COVID-19.
“We want the public to be careful of what they do and what they take to prevent the virus.
“Taking of carrot, ginger and garlic is not as important as wearing of mask, proper hand washing, keeping safe distance and staying at home if need be,” he said.
The seminar was attended by media professionals, top health officials in the state, representatives of WHO and UNICEF, and other relevant stakeholders.
