The Osun State Government has confirmed that one person is missing from the Ejigbo isolation centre for people infected with the coronavirus COVID-19.
Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Funke Egbemode, made the confirmation in a statement released on Saturday.
Mrs Egbemode, however, denied media reports that six persons were missing from the centre.
A list with names and phone numbers of alleged coronavirus positive persons who reportedly escaped from the General Hospital in Gedu, Ejigbo has since gone viral on social media.
“Nothing can be further from the truth. As a government, we have not issued any statement to confirm or deny such story.
“Besides, a quick check showed that the name and number of the first person on the list of the purported missing patients, is indeed currently in our facility in Ejigbo,” the statement said.
Twenty people have been confirmed to have tested positive for coronavirus in Osun State.
The surge in number is traced to Ejigbo indigenes based in Cote d’Ivoire who recently came home for a party.
They were initially refused entry by the Ogun State government before Governor Gboyega Oyetola facilitated their entry.
The 127 returnees were camped in the premises of Wole Soyinka Government High School, Ejigbo before they were moved to the general hospital.
“Recall that about a week ago, we received 127 returnees from Ivory Coast and we have kept them since then to avoid community transfer of the virus,” the state government recounted in Saturday’s statement.
Confirming that one person was missing, the statement continued: “This morning we embarked on a headcount and found out that only one person could not be accounted for by officials stationed at the Isolation centre out of the 127 persons.
“The State Government is currently investigating the matter and will ensure that the missing person is brought back to the Isolation centre and we will also ensure we trace all his contacts.
“We want to reiterate that any official(s) found culpable will also be dealt with accordingly.”
Ismail Omipidan, the chief press secretary to Governors Oyetola, had earlier in a phone conversation with Qed.ng denied that six persons escaped from the Ejigbo isolation centre.
