The Delta state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa has confirmed the first COVID-19 index case recorded in the state.

Okowa reacted in his broadcast on Wednesday in Asaba after the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) announced the latest sixteen new cases including Delta on Tuesday.

According to Okowa, “a patient in Delta State tested positive for the COVID19 virus.

“This index case is already receiving the necessary treatment at one of our isolation centers.

“Delta state recorded first index case yesterday 7 April, 2020, and the patient had been moved into one of our four management centre and we have already started our contact tracing.

“We assured all Deltans that our health staff have received best of training, and they are in good spirit and ready to go.

“We appealed to Deltans to support the health staff to succeed and there is a need to support they and pray for them at this moment where they are very likely to overwhelm for being in a position in the cause of their work but by God grace, we are very prayerful and we hope that non our health staff will contract the viru. COVID-19 is real and I pray that we have no death in Delta state.

“Again, I urge you all to remain calm at this time and continue to adhere to the precautionary measures and isolation directives that we have put in place to keep you and your families safe” Okowa said

He urged every Deltans to obey lockdown order until 14 days of April for the sake of humanity otherwise would be caught off by arm of the law, stressing that lockdown was given because it was necessary.

The governor said it was lawful because he has signed into law the regulation which empowered the government to take action against those who will disobey the law and order.