Ejigbo and neighbouring towns in Osun State have been thrown into panic after some Côte d’Ivoire returnees tested positive for coronavirus COVID-19.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Wednesday confirmed nine new infections in Osun, bringing total number in the state to 14.
Qed.ng, however, learnt that about 12 cases have been traced to the Wole Soyinka Government High School, Ejigbo where the returnees are quarantined.
The returnees were the Osun indigenes initially denied passage in Ogun State last week.
They were coming home for a party from their base in Abidjan, the capital of Côte d’Ivoire.
It took the intervention of Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State to secure their passage to Ejigbo, their hometown.
A statement signed by Secretary to Osun State Government, Wole Oyebamiji, stated: “The state government shall convey these members of its citizenry to Ejigbo, where they hail from.
“They will be screened in this place before rejoining their families if certified free of the coronavirus.”
Worried at the health implication of the sojourners in his domain, the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyesosin, warned commercial motorcycle (Okada) riders not to convey the people isolated into town pending the outcome of tests carried out on them.
An indigene of Ejigbo who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity alleged that some of those quarantined sneaked out of the camp at night, slept at home and returned in the morning.
“They mingled with family members and were spotted at beer parlours,” he said.
A source in Osogbo, who did not want his name mentioned, told Qed.ng on Wednesday that specimen from 127 people in quarantine in Ejigbo were earlier taken for coronavirus test.
“Three tested positive out of the 27 results released yesterday (Tuesday).
“Nine more were confirmed positive today (Wednesday),” this online news medium was told.
With some of the returnees testing positive, fear of infection has gripped residents of Ejigbo.
Many people have locked themselves in their houses and the streets are largely deserted.
“The authorities have identified those who left the camp and tracing of contact with the assistance of soldiers will soon commence,” an indigene said in a text message sent to Qed.ng.
